Survey of low flammability plants in burned areas of Cerrado in the Federal District and analysis of their physical properties

Abstract

The forest fires spread mainly through the surface of combustible material. Therefore, low flammability plants can be used for the protection against forest fires because these plants hinder the spread of fire. In this regard, the objective was to make a poll to find low flammability plants occurred in cerrado (savanna) of Distrito Federal in burned areas, and, after collecting samples, catalog their characteristics. It was done by plotting and photographing specimens of preserved adjacent vegetation consumed by the flames. Then, samples of high and low flammability leaves were collected to number their particular physical and foliar properties and make an immediate analysis. The samples classified as low flammability plants were: Vochysia thyrsoidea, Palicourea rigida, Lavoisiera bergii. The sample of the grass Echinolaena inflexa, was considered of high flammability. Comparing the Echinolaena inflexa Vochysia thyrsoidea, Palicourea rigida and Lavoisiera bergii, they presented good indexes that enable them to be of low flammability species, especially the Palicourea rigida which presented high moisture content (173%), higher foliar thickness (5.6 mm), volatile contents of 76% and combustion heat in the field moisture of 1263 cal/g. The results confirmed the low flammability of Vochysia thyrsoidea, Palicourea rigida and Lavoisiera bergii being these indicated for the use in green firebreaks.