Abstract
The current study aimed to describe functional attributes of arboreal species in fragments of sensu stricto Cerrado areas with a transition to Cerradão in Ipameri – GO to describe which characteristics are more representative in these phytophysiognomies. Ten individuals were sampled for each of the twenty arboreous species most commonly found in the region. Functional attributes related to the architecture of the aerial part of the tree and functional leaf traits were collected. Once the functional traits were evaluated, an analysis of variance and a posterior Tukey test at 0.5% were performed. Then, the data were standardized, and the species were functionally grouped. The results showed great variability of the functional characteristics forming two groups of species with similar characteristics. Group 1 was constituted by species with functional traits proper to survival in adverse environmental conditions, such as poor soils, seasonality, and natural or provoked incidents, like fire. Group 2, on the other hand, apparently points to functional traits related to success and investment in height growth, as well as greater photosynthetic capacity and adaptations to shading conditions. The functional traits studied indicated the occurrence of a great diversity of adaptations between species. Therefore, it is possible to say that both groups of species are important for maintaining these phytophysiognomies in the landscape.
Highlights
Functional traits are morphological, biochemical, or structural characteristics existing in an organism capable of interfering with its development and survival in a given environment (BRUELHEIDE et al, 2018)
The functional traits associated with individual growth and establishment are useful for understanding the species roles in different environmental conditions
Functional traits of the tree architecture, ANOVA results, and Tukey test The results show that there is an evident variation in functional attributes between the species studied
Summary
Functional traits are morphological, biochemical, or structural characteristics existing in an organism capable of interfering with its development and survival in a given environment (BRUELHEIDE et al, 2018). Studies focused on functional traits have become increasingly recurrent in recent years; there is still an impasse in the correct conception of which traits can be considered functional traits (BRUELHEIDE et al, 2018). The functional traits associated with individual growth and establishment are useful for understanding the species roles in different environmental conditions. For a good representation of these roles, it is necessary choosing traits that represent important functions performed by the species (VALE et al, 2011).
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