Mortality in tropical forests: investigating scales to unravel processes

Abstract

The dynamics of arboreal communities are directly influenced by the environmental conditions in which they develop, particularly concerning soil characteristics and climate. These factors exert a direct influence on organism functionality, selecting those capable of adapting their anatomical and/or morphological characteristics to optimize the use of available resources in the environment. In this context, this thesis results in two articles. The first aims to specifically assess the mortality of the largest trees of each species in different forest areas of the state of Minas Gerais, in relation to precipitation and temperature patterns. The results help elucidate the effects of these variables on tree mortality, identifying the species most affected by these interactions in each type of forest. The second article addresses in more detail the dynamics and functioning of an area of Deciduous Seasonal Forest located in the northern region of the same state, aiming to understand how arboreal individuals of different diameter classes respond functionally to soil conditions, especially regarding fertility. The results of this second study reveal that both community dynamics and functionality differ when evaluating diameter classes and different soil characteristics.