ABSTRACT
How plants will respond to climate change in carbon partition is still uncertain, particularly in trees of coastal ecosystems (mangrove and restinga) in southeastern Brazil where temperature and rainfall are expected to rise until the end of this century. The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of the dynamics of partitioning carbon reservoirs in frequent species of mangrove and restinga vegetation, in the seasons marked by climatic contrasting (dry and rainy season). For mangrove species, carbon partition was not influenced by seasonal climate variation. For restinga species, higher levels of NSC and cellulose occurred in the rainy season, suggesting possible accumulation of these carbon reservoirs in restinga vegetation in response to temperature and rainfall rise.
Como as plantas irão responder as mudanças climáticas na partição de carbono ainda é incerto, particularmente em arbóreas de ecossistemas costeiros do sudeste do Brasil onde são previstas elevação de temperatura e chuvas até o final deste século. O objetivo deste estudo foi proporcionar uma compreensão da dinâmica de partição dos reservatórios de carbono em espécies frequentes da vegetação de manguezal e de restinga, nas estações do ano marcadas por contrastantes climáticos (estação seca e chuvosa). Para as espécies de manguezal, a alocação do carbono não foi influenciada pela variação temporal do clima. Já para as espécies de restinga, maiores teores de CNE e de celulose ocorreram na estação chuvosa, sugerindo possível acúmulo destes reservatórios de carbono na vegetação de restinga em resposta à elevação de temperatura e chuvas.
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the germination and vigor of Caesalpinia echinata (Brazilwood) seeds stored at negative temperatures. Recently harvested seeds were cryopreserved at -18º or -196ºC and periodically evaluated for germination, seed vigor and carbohydrate composition. The temperatures did not influence the germination percentages or vigor. The germination percentage decreased from 88% in recently harvested seeds to 60% after 730 days of storage. The different temperature and storage times tested did not affect the vigor seed germination as indicated by the measures of plant growth and survival. The different temperatures used did not cause changes in the carbohydrate composition. The tegument cell walls were rich in lignin, arabinose and xylose. The cytoplasm of the cotyledons and embryos had high levels of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The cryopreservation technique here presented was effective in the conservation of Brazilwood seeds for the medium term.
