Fire records in tree rings of Moquiniastrum polymorphum: potential for reconstructing fire history in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT Fire disturbance affects the composition, structure and dynamics of vegetation. Historical records of fire events exist in some places, but they are generally limited in temporal and spatial extent. Tree-ring research is a useful tool for fire history reconstruction and can contribute important long-term ecological data. We tested the hypotheses that Moquiniastrum polymorphum (Less.) G. Sancho, a widespread species in Brazil that occurs in burnt areas of Atlantic Forest, produces annual growth rings and that its wood can record fire incidence by datable fire scaring. Our results corroborate these hypotheses and indicate that the species has potential for fire history reconstruction.

摘要 火灾干扰会对植被的组成、结构与动态产生影响。部分地区虽存有火灾事件的历史记录，但此类记录在时间与空间尺度上普遍存在局限性。树木年轮研究是重建火灾历史的有效手段，可提供关键的长期生态学数据。本研究针对两项假说展开验证：一是在巴西广泛分布、见于大西洋森林火烧迹地的多形莫奎因木（Moquiniastrum polymorphum (Less.) G. Sancho）可产生年轮；二是其木材可通过可定年火疤记录火灾发生情况。研究结果证实了上述假说，表明该物种具备火灾历史重建的应用潜力。