Differences in the allocation of biomass Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera floccosa SSP (Asteraceae) in two different types of Savanna

• Grant number: 12/19030-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Dalva Maria da Silva Matos
• Grantee: Maria Luiza Appoloni Zambom
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The availability of water and nutrients in the soil plays an important role in determining the different faces that exist in the cerrado. The variation in the supply of resources can also affect the allocation between these different structures of plants. Whereas the Ecological Station Itirapina has the same climate throughout its length, we expect that the availability of water in the two areas (vegetation types), variation due to differences in the depth of the water table, and the physicochemical soil characteristics may affect biomass allocation between the parties of overhead and underground individuals Gochnatia polymorpha, and population structure of this species. To test our hypothesis, 15 plots were established in an area of 10m2 of Campo Cerrado and 15 others in a cerrado sensu stricto. All individuals of G. polymorpha have their height and diameter at the base of the soil measured. Measurements will be conducted in the level of groundwater (water table) and soil analysis site. In addition, 20 young individuals up to a meter in height in each area will be cut off and will have the diameter and weight of the above and underground biomass measured. (AU)