Efeito do fogo em populações de capim dourado (Syngonanthus nitens Eriocaulaceae) no Jalapão, TO

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

Cerrado plants have co-existed with fire, natural or anthropic, for millions of years. Cerrado communities use fire to form and renew pastures and prepare fields for farming. In the Jalapão region, Eastern Tocantins state, fire is also used by local communities to promote golden grass (Syngonanthus nitens, Eriocaulaceae) flowering. Golden grass handicrafts are an important source of income for the Jalapão populations and have recently attracted increasing numbers of artisans and harvesters. This rapid expansion threatens sustainability of the activity, due to harvests in common areas which are not properly managed. This study seeks to evaluate the effects of fire on golden grass population parameters in three humid grasslands of Jalapão. Tests were carried out to assess the effects of clearing and burning in two and three-year intervals on the total density, density of flowering individuals, recruitment, survivorship and seed production and dispersal. Fire catalyzes golden grass flowering, while clearing maintains the density of flowering individuals. Ceasing to use fire caused a sharp decrease in the density of flowering individuals. Total density of individuals, recruitment, survivorship and seed dispersal were not affected by fire or clearing. The great environmental diversity within and among humid grasslands can be responsible for variations in results. Golden grass is a resilient species with an enormous potential for income generation and to help the Cerrado conservation in Jalapão. Proposals for golden grass fire management must take into consideration its effect on the humid grassland plant community, fauna and soil impoverishment.

ASSUNTO(S)

fogo cerrado jalapão manejo capim dourado syngonanthus nitens artesanato ecologia

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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