Differences in water deficit adaptation during early growth of Brazilian dry forest Caatinga trees

Abstract

Particular climatic and soil characteristics occur along this dry ecosystem leading to non-homogeneous water availability. [...]in certain niches, some species predominate over others, indicating that best performance of a species is not widespread. In E. contortisiliquum, we may parallel the small effect of water restriction on biomass partitioning with the small growth inhibition. [...]this should be a species that maintains higher water status under restriction but not investing more in roots or stems. In most of the studies with water restriction, the authors state that less inhibition of growth is correlated with stress tolerance. [...]it should be said that E.velutina suffered most as a result of our experimental conditions. [...]both species studied here are well adapted to the dry climate of Caatinga. [...]the restriction in growth should be a strategy for living with drought as important as the strategies aimed at maintaining growth.