Floristic diversity and seasonal patterns on Rupestrian Fields and Cerrado Savana

Abstract

Phenology studies the occurrence of repetitive biological events and their relationship especially with climate, and also with biotic factors such as pollinators and seed dispersers. Dendrochronology studies the trees growth rings and, therefore, the response of trees to climate change. It can also estimate the age of the tree as well as reveal information about its ecology. Furthermore, Dendrochronology allows the reconstruction of the weather analysis of the wood anatomy, since the plant records in the form of rings, signals from temperature and precipitation changes which affected the growth and the dormancy. In this sense, the rings are cyclical anatomical responses related to a particular reproductive and vegetative Phenology. Phenology could allow a reconstruction and assessment of climatic factors influencing these reconstructed historical patterns, with implications for ecological, silvicultural and understanding of the climate changes effects on plants. This research aims to: 1) analyze seven years of Fabaceae (Anadenanthera falcata or mimosa-do-cerrado) Phenology in Itirapina, São Paulo, and determine its relationship with climatic variations; 2) study the pattern of growth rings formation, seeking signs which allow the climate reconstruction and also the reconstruction of Phenology over the past; 3) check the consistency of Phenology and growth rings of this or other Fabaceae species under a more seasonal cerrado area (Serra do Cipo, MG). As a result, it will be possible to analyze how climate changes have affected or may affect the Phenology of this species in the cerrado and the potential of tropical plants growth rings use in order to reconstruct Phenology. (AU)