TROPICAL SAVANNA AND GRASSLAND ECOLOGY

Although Brazil is known by its forests, a great part of the country is covered by tropical savanna and grasslands. Thus, our group is interested in understanding savanna and grassland dynamics, mostly their responses to disturbances (fire). We are investigating vegetation responses to fire, productivity and carbon dynamics (above- and belowground). We are building a database with different traits of savanna species.

Projects:

• Digging the Cerrado: the contribution of belowground structures to the functioning of old-growth grasslands (NGS 51903C-18).

FIRE ECOLOGY

We are studying the effects of fire on tropical savanna and grasslands dynamics. Since a great part of these savannas and grasslands are invaded by African grasses, we are also investigating how these species are changing fire severity and behavior. We have a data base with more than 200 prescribed burnings from different sites in Brazil. Finally, we are also interested in fire-adaptive traits in plants. We have fire experiments established in Central and Southeastern Brazil.

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Projects:

• Fire as a tool for management and restoration in the Cerrado in the Anthropocene (FAPESP 2023/16620-0)

• Where there is smoke, there is fire: the integrated fire management as a tool for the maintenance of diversity and ecosystems services at the Cerrado (BIOTA FAPESP 2023/12254-9)​

SEED ECOLOGY

 Since we believe that fire is a key factor (both ecological and evolutive) in Cerrado vegetation, we are analyzing the fire-related germination cues of Cerrado species. We perform heat shock and smoke experiments to evaluate both seed dormancy break and germination enhancement.  We also carry out experiments both in the lab and in the field with daily temperature fluctuations. We are also building a database of germination and seed traits, with more than 100 species from different sites in Brazil.

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Projects:

• Fire-adapted seed traits in Cerrado species (FAPESP 19/09903-0)

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS

  We are trying to evaluate different techniques to control invasive species (mostly African grasses) in Cerrado areas,  such as fire, mowing and herbicide. Moreover, we want to know how these techniques will affect the natural vegetation. We are also studying the Cerrado regeneration after the removal of old pine stands. We carry out some experiments to accelerate Cerrado regeneration, such as the removal of pine needles. We have experiments in Central and Southeastern Brazil.

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Projects:

• Optimising the long term management of invasive species affecting biodiversity and the rural economy using adaptive management (FAPESP 18/14995-8)