Hydrology-vegetation structural relationships in the Purus-Madeira interfluve

• Grant number: 09/53369-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2010
• End date: March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Agreement: FAPEAM
• Principal Investigator: Javier Tomasella
• Grantee: Javier Tomasella
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is the development of detailed experiments to understand climate-vegetation structural relationships. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how the floristic composition, structure and vegetation functioning are related to climate variations as mediated by soil hydrology, and if these relationships can be used to define physionomic differences between vegetation types in the Purus-Madeira interfluve. The proposal integrates hydrological and ecological studies in Amazonia. On the hydrological side, soil water availability and water table behavior numerical models will be develop and validated in the Purus-Madeira Region. On the ecological side, functional relationships between structural and floristic parameters and hydrology will be established and used to predict floristic composition in those areas with no information based on more easily measured hydrological parameters; and to predict the response of vegetation communities to changes on the hydrological regime. The knowledge of the determinants of vegetal communities structures, their spatial distribution, and the self-ecology of species in the Purus-Madeira interfluve are crucial in the planning of vegetal species conservation and management. In addition, the Purus-Madeira interfluve offers a unique climatic and vegetation variability that allows to test hypothesis regarding hydrological constraints on different vegetation patterns, and to understand the resilience of vegetation to climate extremes. This information is crucial for dynamic vegetation models calibration, used on climate change scenarios. Therefore, the knowledge to be acquired during the project will help to reduce uncertainties on the simulations of future scenarios in Amazonia associated to global climate change. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GOULART, ANA CAROLINA; MACARIO, KITA D.; SCHEEL-YBERT, RITA; ALVES, EDUARDO Q.; BACHELET, CAROLINE; PEREIRA, BRUNA B.; LEVIS, CAROLINA; MARIMON JUNIOR, BEN HUR; MARIMON, BEATRIZ S.; QUESADA, CARLOS ALBERTO; et al. Charcoal chronology of the Amazon forest: A record of biodiversity preserved by ancient fires. QUATERNARY GEOCHRONOLOGY, v. 41, p. 180-186, AUG 2017. (09/53369-6)

LEVIS, C.; COSTA, F. R. C.; BONGERS, F.; PENA-CLAROS, M.; CLEMENT, C. R.; JUNQUEIRA, A. B.; NEVES, E. G.; TAMANAHA, E. K.; FIGUEIREDO, F. O. G.; SALOMAO, R. P.; et al. Persistent effects of pre-Columbian plant domestication on Amazonian forest composition. Science, v. 355, n. 6328, p. 925+, MAR 3 2017. (09/53369-6)

LEVIS, CAROLINA; DE SOUZA, PRISCILA FIGUEIRA; SCHIETTI, JULIANA; EMILIO, THAISE; PURRI DA VEIGA PINTO, JOSE LUIZ; CLEMENT, CHARLES R.; COSTA, FLAVIA R. C.. Historical Human Footprint on Modern Tree Species Composition in the Purus-Madeira Interfluve, Central Amazonia. PLoS One, v. 7, n. 11, NOV 20 2012. (09/53369-6)