Bud Composition, Branching Patterns and Leaf Phenology in Cerrado Woody Species

Abstract

It was possible to identify different patterns of aerial growth in Cerrado woody species defined by shoot-linked traits such as branching pattern, bud composition, meristem persistence and leaf phenology. These related traits must be considered over and above leaf deciduousness for searching functional guilds in a Cerrado woody community. For the first time a relationship between bud composition, shoot growth and leaf production pattern is found in savanna woody plants.

Relationships between crown architecture and available irradiance in two cerrado species with different leaf phenologies

“…Deciduous cerrado species produce pre-formed leaves enclosed in buds (Damascos et al 2005) and fl ush synchronously late in the dry season -thus reducing leaf loss to herbivory (which is usually much higher in the rainy season) (Marquis et al 2002). The fi re that occurred in the study area also affected the deciduous species A. coriacea, burning shoots with buds and preformed leaves (personal observation) -resulting in the loss of investments in bud formation for new shoots and leaves.…”

“…The wide variations of woody and herbaceous vegetations within the Cerrado biome are associated with different soil types and topographies, making it one of the world's most diverse savanna vegetation types (Eiten 1979, Furley & Ratter 1988. Topography, climate, and periodic fi re events infl uence the structure and functioning of the various cerrado vegetation types in Brazil (Franco 2002, Damascos et al 2005, Souza et al 2011, and changes in the physical properties of the soil and its fertility result in variations in the physiognomy of the vegetation and to differences in plant productivity (Haridasan 2000), and that the species growing there have adopted numerous ecological strategies for establishment and survival.…”

“…The woody elements of cerrado sensu stricto vegetation show two distinct functional types in terms of leaf phenology (Paula 2002, Damascos et al 2005: evergreen species, which are characterized by continuous leaf production over several months (Damascos et al 2005, Lenza & Klink 2006, retention of several leaf cohorts in their crowns throughout the year, and more intense shoot branching (Damascos et al 2005, Souza et al 2011); and deciduous species, which lose all their leaves during the dry period and demonstrate synchronous leaf fl ush at the end of the dry season. Regardless of differences in their leaf phenologies, plant species growing in seasonal environments (such as the savanna) must program leaf and shoot renewal to maximize survival and productivity (Damascos et al 2005).…”

“…Regardless of differences in their leaf phenologies, plant species growing in seasonal environments (such as the savanna) must program leaf and shoot renewal to maximize survival and productivity (Damascos et al 2005). …”

Expansão e mortalidade de ramos em espécies arbóreas do cerrado sensu stricto

“…Os estudos fenológicos relacionados aos padrões vegetativos em nível de indivíduo, como produção e queda de folhas e expansão de ramos, são poucos na literatura, utilizando geralmente uma abordagem qualitativa, com observações visuais de mudança no aspecto geral da copa (Gouveia & Felfili 1998, dÉça-Neves & Morellato 2004, do que quantitativos, como os estudos de Franco (1998), Suzuki (2003) e Damascos et al (2005).…”