Intraspecific metamer and module variation across savannas and forests in the Cerrado

• Grant number: 23/09725-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: June 20, 2024
• End date: December 12, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Tomaselli Fidelis
• Grantee: Marco Antonio Chiminazzo
• Supervisor: Pamela Diggle
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Connecticut (UCONN), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/09269-9 - Savannas, forests & transition zones: integrative approaches to disclose coexisting biomes, BP.DR

Abstract

Plants develop through the production of repetitive units called metamers, which form growth modules. The morphology and functioning of these modules can vary depending on environmental cues and plant development. Understanding the variation of module development is crucial for comprehending how plants respond to contrasting ecosystems and changing climates. In tropical regions, forests and savannas coexist as mosaics. Their stability depends on the interaction between the vegetation and disturbances such as fire and stressors such as low-light availability. Climate-driven changes are predicted to impact fire regimes and precipitation, raising questions about the fate of species and the resilience of specialized and generalist plants. Recent research has explored why certain species can thrive in both light-limited and fire-disturbed ecosystems, highlighting strategies such as acquisitive traits and bark production. However, quantifying the extent of phenotypic variation displayed by generalist species remains a challenge. This study aims to investigate the phenotypic responses of plants in fire-disturbed and light-limited environments, focusing on module morphology and its potential to cope with fire and shading. The objectives include examining how module morphology varies within species across environments and determining the extent to which these differences may be driven by different fire frequencies and shading intensities. By addressing these points, this research contributes to our understanding of plant adaptations and the maintenance of biome co-existence in the face of environmental changes. (AU)