Morphological and physiological characteristics of two neotropical plants in veredas with different levels of drying

Abstract

Objective: The propose of this study was to investigate whether the species Copaifera oblongifolia (Fabaceae) and Macairea radula (Melastomataceae), occurring in veredas with different levels of drying, show differences in plant architecture (morphological traits) and foliar compound levels (physiological characteristics). Methods: Sampling was conducted in two veredas, which are Vereda da Almescla (preserved vereda) and Vereda do Peruaçu (degraded vereda in an advanced drying stage) located in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data on morphological traits (height, circumference above ground, and canopy width) and foliar compounds (concentrations of chlorophyll, nitrogen, and flavonols) were collected from 15 individuals of each species in each vereda. Results: The results showed that the structural characteristics of the studied species did not differ between the analyzed veredas. Similarly, foliar compounds did not exhibit significant differences in their concentrations among the plants from the two veredas studied. Conclusion: These results suggest that the water stress present in the veredas does not seem to influence the morphological characteristics and foliar compounds of neotropical species. This is the first study evaluating the impacts of vereda drying on morphological and physiological attributes of plants.