Evaluation of above- and belowground biomass and traits in areas with different fire histories in Cerrado

• Grant number: 18/18696-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Tomaselli Fidelis
• Grantee: Nubia Alessandra Vilela de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/06743-0 - How does fire season affect Cerrado vegetation?, AP.JP

Abstract

Cerrado is a fire-prone vegetation under constant influence of frequent fires. One of the most important fire effects is the above-ground biomass removal and as a consequence, the creation of gaps within the vegetation. Moreover, after fires, vegetation regenerates mostly from belowground bud banks found in a variety of belowground organs. Finally, it is known that Cerrado is an important carbon sink, being found both in the above- as well as in the belowground biomass. However, less is known about the effects of fire on carbon storage. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate above- and belowground biomass and traits in areas of campo sujo with different fire histories in Goiás. The experimental plots of the JP projects will be used as well as neighboring areas with different fire histories. In each area, biomass samples of 0.5x0.5 m will be sampled during the rainy and dry season. They will be put in plastic bags in the field and in the lab, they will be sorted into different functional groups: forbs, graminoids, shrubs, dead biomass. The belowground biomass will be separated into roots and belowground organs. The biomass will be put to dry in oven (80oC) for two days and weighed.