The Espinhaço highlands, the largest mountainous region in Brazil's interior, has great topographic variations and a diverse ecosystem structure. Espinhaço is a natural divider of hydrographic basins of great ecological importance in southeastern Brazil, since its very old geological structure, the rugosity of its relief and its acute features, results in a great variety of soils and environmental conditions, which allows the presence of a high diversity of species, including several endemics \cite{Benites_2007}.
Efforts have been made to justify the presence of different types of vegetation across the Espinhaço highlands, specially savannas (cerrado) and moist forests (mata atlântica) physiognomies. Studies have shown a precipitation \cite{Ribeiro_Nascimento_Madeira_Ribeiro_2009,Santos_Serafim_Sano_2011} and air humidity \cite{Santos_Serafim_Sano_2011a,Fernandes_2016} difference between the eastern and western regions of the study area, pointing out for a possible altitudinal hydroclimatic gradient. However, is still necessary a better hydrologic flux quantification (inputs and outputs) of these domains, which will lead us to a better understanding of bioclimatic controls and feedbacks amid the hydroclimatic dynamics and the current distribution and occurence of different vegetation types.
Perguntas
- Which are the temporal and spatial controls on plant water availability differences across the study region?
- How does the differences on water availability drives plant water use strategies and efficiency based on phenologic metrics?
Metodologia