Anatomical and dendrochronological analysis for edge effects identification on Aspidosperma polyneuron growth at the Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus

Abstract

The deforestation, and consequent forest fragmentation have been causing several impacts nowadays and their consequences are not entirely known yet. Fragmentation of ecosystems such as tropical forests can strongly influence biodiversity, ecosystem services, besides having great implications for atmospheric CO2 concentration. Understanding the nature of these changes caused by humanity requires long term analyses and reliable records. In this context, there are the tree rings, which can be one of these reliable data. The dendrochronology, along with its raising strength in the tropics, provides information about changes of the forest dynamics and climate. Aspidosperma polyneuron, or peroba-rosa, is a key species of many semideciduous forests and is endangered in some Brazilian states. Therefore, it is intended to check the species response to dendrochronological records, making it also valuable to studies concerning environmental impact assessment and climatic change. The present study aim to characterize anatomically the growth rings of Aspidosperma polyneuron through histological analysis, to construct a ring chronology by crossdating and by the application of softwares such as TSAP and COFECHA. Furthermore, growth rhythm of individuals from interior and edge of the forest fragment of the Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus will be compared to evaluate the edge effect caused by fragmentation and anthropic actions.