Os efeitos dos regimes de fogo sob a vegetação de cerrado no Parque Nacional das Emas, GO: considerações para a conservação da diversidade

Abstract

Fire is an important evolutionary agent that can cause floristic, phylogenetic, and functional changes in cerrado plant communities, altering the composition of the soil and modifying interspecific interactions. Here, we discuss the effects of fire on cerrado vegetation and suggest actions for reserve management. With particular emphasis on research in the Emas National Park, in savanna physiognomy, we compiled the following results: in higher frequencies, annual or biennial burnings, there are phenotypic grouping, decreased competition, reduced plant biomass, and soil enrichment; in lower frequency, without burnings for 12 years, there are increased competition and higher accumulation of dry biomass. Furthermore, different fire regimes support different floristic compositions, with groups of herbaceous and wood species unique to each regime. Therefore, we suggest that a mosaic of different fires regimes should be kept and that areas without fire for many years should be avoided.