Internal structure of wood from native species of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Abstract

The trees of the Cerrado fulfill indispensable roles in climate regulation, hydrological cycle maintenance, and soil preservation, thereby providing essential ecosystem services crucial for environmental equilibrium. Comprehensive knowledge of tree species is imperative for developing effective conservation strategies, aimed at preserving both the biome and its resident species. The objective was to microscopically describe the wood of tree species from a fragment of the Cerrado biome in Minas Gerais. Wood samples were collected from eleven tree species from Cerrado biome. Microscopic examinations were conducted on permanent histological slides and macerated material. This study is particularly significant as it provides new information on the wood of understudied Cerrado species. One of them is Myrsine gardneriana A. DC., a species not previously documented in the literature. The anatomical descriptions of the tree species provided in this work will aid in the identification of species based on their xylem, without the need for vegetative and/or reproductive characteristics. This tool is useful for regulatory bodies overseeing the timber trade and is particularly relevant for the Cerrado biome, especially in monitoring the origin of commercially traded charcoal.