anatomia do lenho e dendrocronologia de lianas da família ...

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1991). Two liana censuses developed in Atlantic Forest biome show Leguminosae as the
second and the third most representative family in species number for studied ranges
(Resende & Ranga, 2005).
Brazilian Atlantic Forest has high species diversity and number of endemics species, but
retains only approximately 7,5 % of its original extension and it is one of the highest global
priorities for conservation (Morellato & Haddad, 2000; Myers et al., 2000). This biome
should be considered a mosaic comprising several types of vegetation, related with several
environments (Oliveira-Filho & Fontes, 2000; Scarano, 2002). The bulk of Brazilian Atlantic
Forest is on tropical region.
Growth rings analysis would contribute with temporal information that can be used in studies
of growth, wood production, age structure, population and forest dynamics, forest
management, conservation and restoration (Jacoby, 1989; Eickstein, Sass & Baas, 1995; Priya
& Bhat, 1999; Braker, 2002; Worbes, 2002; Grau, Easdale & Paolini, 2003; Worbes et al.,
2003; Brienen & Zuidema, 2006). Then, if some lianas have distinct growth rings, this might
contribute to the knowledge of the growth in lianas, the understanding of the tropical forest
dynamics and with sustainable management.
In this study, the anatomical features of eight liana species were analysed from a wellpreserved
remnant of Atlantic Rain Forest, placed in mountain region (Serra da Mantiqueira –
Itatiaia Massif). This species represent almost all lianas of Leguminosae family recognized
from this place and registered in Programa Mata Atlântica data base. Some of the questions
that we try to answer are: Do lianas have growth rings? What are the anatomical features that
distinguish the growth rings? Species with cambial variants have growth rings? Some of
studied species can be used in future researches of dendrochronology?