Auto-ecology of Guadua aff. paraguayana (Poaceae)

Abstract

Bamboos are agents of natural remediation, but its outbreak in an already established landscape may
have an intense repercussion, completely changing the flora of the area. A study to determine the effects of the presence of Guadua aff. paraguayana Döll  (Poaceae) found in the last remnants of the riparian forest in the areas of permanent preservation of the Wildlife Refuge of Rio Tibagi - a conservation unit in process of stablishment on the Parana´s second plateau, has been developed. This aggressive and opportunistic woody species develops vigorous tussocks in consequence of its pachymorph rhizome system a form of "short neck" and gets established only on the higher portions of the degraded flood plain. The tussocks have an average size of 2.79 meters, with 11 stems/ m². The shooting season lasts, on average, four months and occurs between spring and summer. The culms have an average length of 13 m, with an increment of 18 cm/day during the stretch period. The average diameter at breast height is 4.25 cm. The tussocks are formed from only one stem that expands from extremely robust sprouts. When it shoots up over the canopy and receives direct sunlight, it forms a kind of braided branches and leaves capable of hardly increase the shade levels and suppress the established vegetation, changing the local succession patterns.

doi: 10.4336/2009.pfb.58.05