Grasses of the cerrado: non-structural carbohydrates and ecophysiological aspectsGrasses combine characteristics that distinguish them as an evolved and diversified group of plants. They present an efficient photosynthetic metabolism under several conditions, as well as a high production and spreading of diaspores. Besides their fasciculate roots, some species can present stolons and rhizomes. Together, such attributes make grasses appropriated for the recovery of degraded areas, acting as pioneers in the ecological succession. However, if these characteristics enable grasses to occupy areas in their original habitat, they also increase their ability of invading other environments. Non-structural carbohydrates composition and high biomass production are discussed aiming at providing subsidies for the use of those adaptive advantages in programs for conservation of natural reserves.
grasses; non-structural carbohydrates; cerrado; biological invasion
