Growth and breakdown of fine roots in soil in Cerrado preserved and in regeneration (São Carlos-SP)

• Grant number: 13/26273-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Marisa de Cassia Piccolo
• Grantee: Lucas de Camargo Reis
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Savannah, or Cerrado environments as they are known in Brazil, are of great importance for humanity. In this environment live nearly a fifth of the world's population and is concentrated much of agriculture, and a significant portion of water resources and biodiversity. The Brazilian Cerrado was the most affected by the expansion of the agricultural frontier and the growth of cities in the last century, and this situation tends to persist in the coming years ecosystem. To establish a balance of human action in this environment, then many studies have been carried out . Regarding studies of native vegetation, much progress has been made regarding the plant shoots. As for the underground parts, roots, due to methodological difficulties of studies of the root system ( based on laborious forms of destructive sampling) , no such advancement was similar . However , in some species of the Cerrado , the root system can represent up to 70 % of the total biomass , which is therefore of great environmental importance , including the accounting for the accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere . The present study aims to study the dynamics (growth and decay) of fine roots in the soil under the vegetation preserved Cerrado ( Cerradão ) and regeneration ( Cerrado sensu strictu ) . Being used for both a non-destructive method, using Minirhizotrons in order to evaluate the root system in the rainy season . This research project will complement the scientific research studies to evaluate the root system which is being held in the Cerrado, the Project Assistance FAPESP ( 2012/13484-3 in ) "Models of Determination of Soil Quality Index ( SQI) for areas Cerrado in the State of Sao Paulo". (AU)