Structure of pond vegetation of a vereda in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

This is the first report on aquatic macrophytes in ponds of veredas (palm swamps) in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna). We studied a pond in a vereda in Terenos, Mato Grosso do Sul state, central-western Brazil, during drought and flood periods to assess plant community structure and the relationship between species distribution and water depth. Sampling was carried out in five permanent transects, along which we placed sampling units of 1 m2 quadrats every 5 m. We estimated visually the relative cover of each species, bare ground, dead matter, and exposed water. We also measured water depth. We recorded 77 species of 49 genera and 31 families. The number of species varied between seasons, and in the rainy season the amphibious life form was predominant. The richest families were Poaceae (15 species), Cyperaceae (11), Asteraceae (4) and Lentibulariaceae (4). The richest genera were Rhynchospora (4), Utricularia (4), Eleocharis (4), Aeschynomene (3), Bacopa (3), Ludwigia (3) and Panicum (3). We found six new occurrences for the cerrado. Eleocharis acutangula had the highest relative cover (rainy and dry seasons), followed by Bacopa reflexa (rainy season), Paspalum lenticulare (rainy and dry seasons), Leersia hexandra (rainy and dry seasons), and Sagittaria rhombifolia (rainy season). Some species were distributed mainly at shallower depths, others occurred in deeper water, whereas some species varied greatly in terms of depth. Heliotropium filiforme and Ludwigia nervosa were found only in the dry season. In the rainy season, as expected, the exclusive species were mostly true aquatics.

Checklist of aquatic and marshy Monocotyledons from the Araguaia River basin, Brazilian Cerrado

“…On the other hand their taxonomic diversity is rarely the focus of wetland studies (e.g. Pedralli et al 997, Bove et al 2003, Moreira et al 2011, Contaifer et al 2013, Sabino et al 2015). …”

Organic Matter Dynamics in a Tropical Gallery Forest in a Grassland Landscape

“…, Moreira et al . ) and the stress imposed by the flooding and dry cycles. Our estimation of 365 g/m 2 /yr litterfall was in the lower range of the reported values for other tropical forests (113–1445 g/m 2 /yr; reviewed by Abelho ), including Amazonian and Atlantic rain forests (808–959 g/m 2 /yr; Vasconcelos & Luizão , Gonçalves et al .…”

“…, Moreira et al . ). Given the general high tree and shrub density in veredas, their organic matter likely represents an important energy source for these streams.…”

“…To our knowledge, no baseline information is currently available about organic matter input and litter decomposition in veredas, making it difficult to measure the effects of strong human pressure, including agriculture, livestock production, and wood harvesting (Boaventura , Moreira et al . ). Leaf litter decomposition is traditionally attributed to aquatic hyphomycetes and shredders invertebrates (Abelho , Graça et al .…”

Comunidades lenhosas no cerrado sentido restrito em duas posições topográficas na Estação Ecológica do Jardim Botânico de Brasília, DF, Brasil

“…respectivamente Felfili et al 2004). Moreira (1992) . No DF, ocorreu com 19,9 ± 6 ind.ha -1 em 10 áreas de cerrado sentido restrito preservadas (Nunes et al 2002).…”