Effects of frost on tropical tree species in southern Brazil and its implication for species distribution

Climate change plays a significant role in natural ecosystem patterns all over the world. In south of Brazil changes in occurrence of frost can affect the distribution of tropical tree species in forest-grassland ecotones. This project is designed to investigate frost effect in the distribution of tropical tree species as well as to explore the role of functional traits in the resistance of species to frost. It will reveal the potential impacts of climate change in tropical forests if frost frequency, intensity, and duration are altered. Regarding the role of functional traits in the resistance of seedlings to frost, results from this work could inform future improvements in the commercial breeding of species that resist cold. At the local scale it will aid in the conservation of the Southern portion of the Brazilian tropical forest. Moreover this research will provide insights on how forests advance over grasslands, which allow us to predict whether this advance poses a risk to preservation of natural grasslands in Southern Brazil. This work provides the first step to understand frost and climate change effects on Brazilian tropical forests.

Everyone is welcome to attend

(This is a Research Proposal presentation by students in ENVS*6900)