Do fog events restore failures in the hydraulic system of Drimys brasiliensis?

• Grant number: 11/19055-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Silva Oliveira
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto de Lima Bittencourt
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fog has an important role in the hydric relations of plants and in the hydric balance of certain regions, even though this role is often ignored. Fog can reduce the evaporative demand of an environment; can be intercepted, precipitate and increase water available in the soil; or can even be absorbed directly by plant leaves. During prolonged fog events, water absorption by leaves can invert sap flux in plants. We believe that inverse sap flux plays an important role in the recovery of embolisms of plants' xylem. This research has two objectives: 1) evaluate if inverse sap flux during fog events favors the recovery of embolisms in the vascular system of Drimys brasiliensis; 2) investigate if fog is redistributed to the soil in drought conditions. We will make greenhouse and laboratory experiments with individuals of Drimys brasiliensis to measure the percentage of embolism recovery and soil water variation after fog events. We believe fog has an important role in xylem functioning and in plants' hydric balance.(AU)