SYNTHESIS OF SOME PHYTOLITH STUDIES IN SOUTH AMERICA (BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA)

SYNTHESIS OF SOME PHYTOLITH STUDIES IN SOUTH AMERICA (BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Phytoliths and Their Applications

Abstract

1. What Are Phytoliths?

2. How Are Phytoliths Produced?

3. Why Do Plants Produce Phytoliths?

4. Which Families of Plants Produce Phytoliths?

5. Where Phytoliths Are Produced?

6. Phytoliths: Morphology and Taxonomic Value

6.1. Taxonomic and Paleobotanical Relevance of Silicophytoliths

6.2. Phytoliths: Redundancy, Multiplicity and Phytolith Assemblages

6.3. Classifications of Phytoltihs

6.4. ICPN Denomination

7. Main Types of Characteristic Phytoliths

7.1. Phytoliths Characteristic of Poaceae (Table 1)

7.2. Phytoliths Characteristic of Dicotyledonous (Table 1)

7.3. Other Characteristic Phytoliths (Table 1)

8. Phytolith Indexes

8.1. D/P Index (Woody Dicotyledons/Poaceae)

8.2. Índice Iph (Chloridoideae/Chloridoideae + Panicoideae)

8.3. Bi (Fs) Index

8.4. Ic Index (proportion of C3 or C4 grasses)

8.5. Pa/P Index

9. Applications and Limitations of the Phytolith Studies

References

Section I: Reference Collections of Plants from Different Types of Vegetation

Reference Collections of Plant Communities from “Restinga” of the Coastal Plain of Maricá, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Study area

Materials and Methods

Phytolith Extraction and Description from Plants

Results and Discussion

Halophile-Psamophile Community

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulaceae) (Figure 4)

Sporobolus virginicus (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) (Figure 4)

Alternanthera maritima (Amaranthaceae) (Figure 4)

Remirea maritima (Cyperaceae) (Figure 4)

Stenotaphrum secundatum (Poaceae, Panicoideae) (Figure 4)

Scrub Community

Gaylussacia cf. brasiliensis (Ericaceae) (Figure 4)

Clusia aff. fluminensis (Clusiaceae) (Figure 4)

Clusia lanceolata (Clusiaceae) (Figure 4)

Heteropteris chrysophylla (Malpighiaceae) (Figure 4)

Stigmaphyllon paralias (Malpighiaceae) (Figure 4)

Smilax spinosa (Smilacaceae) (Figure 4)

Neoregelia cruenta (Bromeliaceae) (Figure 4)

Allagoptera arenaria (Arecaceae) (Figure 4)

Slack Community

Shrubby Vegetation on the Margin of Maricá Lagoon

Dry Forest

Astrocaryum aculeatissimum (Arecaceae) (Figure 5)

Clusia sp. (Clusiaceae) (Figure 5)

Conclusion

References

Characterization of Phytoliths in Eight Species of Arecaceae in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Characterization of the Species

Acrocomia hassleri (Barb. Rodr.) W.J. Hahn. (Figure 1)

Allagoptera campestris (Mart.) Kuntze (Figure 2)

Butia eriospatha (Mart. ex Drude) Becc. (Figure 3)

Butia microspadix Burret (Figure 4)

Butia paraguayensis (Barb. Rodr.) L.H. Bailey (Figure 5)

Euterpe edulis Mart. (Figure 6)

Geonoma schottiana (Mart.) Drude (Figure 7)

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman (Figure 8)

Laboratorial Protocols

Results

Observed Phytoliths

Acrocomia hassleri (Barb. Rodr.) W.J. Hahn

Allagoptera campestris (Drude)

Butia eriospatha (Mart. ex Drude) Becc

Butia microspadix Burret

Butia paraguayensis (Barb. Rodr.) L.H. Bailey

Euterpe edulis Mart.

Geonoma schottiana (Mart.) Drude

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Mart.) Drude

Diameters of Globular Echinate

Globular Echinate Eccentricity

Spines of Globular Echinate

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Phytoliths from the Rough Leaves of Two Dicotyledonous Species from the Brazilian Cerrado Biome and Their Occurrence in Soils

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Materials and Methods

3. Results and Discussion

Conclusion

References

Phytolith Signature from

Grassland and Araucaria Forest in Southern Brazil

1Geography Department – Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná- Unioeste – Campus Marechal Cândido Rondon, Brazil

2Master of Geography, Brazil

3Geography - Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná- Unioeste – Campus Francisco Beltrão, Brazil

4Geography - Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná- Unioeste – Campus Marechal Cândido Rondon, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Grasslands in Southern Brazil

The Ombrophilous Mixed Forest

(Araucaria Forest)

Location of Study Area

Materials and Methods

Soil Sampling

Extraction, Identification, Classification and Counting of Phytoliths

Indexes for Interpretation of the Phytolith Assemblages

Results and Discussion

Phytolith Signature

Ecological Significance/Environmental Indices Phytoliths

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Silicophytolith Reference Collections of Different Plant Communities from Argentina

Abstract

Introduction

Methodology

1. Study Area and Plant Communities Characterization

Pampean Region - Río De La Plata Grassland

Central Region of Tierra Del Fuego

2. Silicophytolith Description of Plant Communities

3. Data Analysis

Results

Paspalum quadrifarium Grassland

“Flechillar” Grassland

Pampean Wetlands

Minerotrophic Mire Vegetation

Grassland Associated to Peatland

Multivariate Analysis

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Section II: Vegetation Reconstructions, Origin and Evolution of Pedosedimentary Sequences and Geomorphic Evolution

Paleoenvironmental Conditions

of Campos Gerais, Paraná, Since

the Late Pleistocene, Based on Phytoliths and C and N Isotopes

Abstract

Introduction

Study Area

Palmeira (P1)

Balsa Nova (P2)

Methods

Sampling

14C Dating and Isotopic Analyses of C and N

Laboratory Protocols

Results and Discussion

Palmeira (P1)

Balsa Nova (P2)

Paleoenvironmental Considerations

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Understanding the Origin and Evolution of Soil Profiles in the São João River Basin, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Study Area

Materials and Methods

Sites and Samples

Profile 1

Profile 2

Profile 3

Profile 4

Profile 5

Methods

Phytolith Analyses

Chemical Extraction and Counting

Phytolith Types

Phytolith Indices

Stable Isotope Analyses

Radiocarbon Analyses

Results and Discussion

Phytolith Analyses

Profile 1

Profile 2

Profile 3

Profile 4

Profile 5

Isotopic Analyses

Radiocarbon Analyses

Conclusion

References

Applications of Phytolith Studies in a Geomorphic Sequence in the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction

Study Area

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

References

Silicophytoliths in Representative Soils of the Southeast Pampean Plains, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Study Area

Morphological and Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils

Silicophytolith Content

Results and Discussion

Description of the Geopedological Units (GU)

Geopedological Unit 1

Silicophytolith Content

Geopedological Units 2 and 3

Silicophytolith Content

Geopedological Unit 4

Geopedological Subunit 4a

Silicophytolith Content

Geopedological Subunit 4b

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Silicophytoliths and Silicon Biogeochemical Cycle in the Pampean Plain, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction

Study Area

Materials and Methods

Silicophytoliths in Plants

Silicophytoliths in Soils

Silica in Soil Solution, Surface and Groundwaters

Soil Matrix

Results and Discussion

Silicophytoliths in Plants

Silicophytoliths in Soils

Silica in Soil Solution

Silica in Surface and Groundwater

Soil Matrix

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Index