Frost Damage of Cerrado Plants in Botucatu, Brazil, as Related to the Geographical Distribution of the Species

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Abstract
A severe frost with temperatures down to -6.0.degree. C in July 1975 caused damage to crops and natural vegetation. The frost damage to woody cerrado plants was studied on 40 tree species and 10 shrub species. A frost-damage index for each individual was obtained, and the average index for each species calculated. Of the 50 spp., 9 were not damaged, 9 were damaged slightly, 17 moderately, 13 substantially and 2 totally. The average index of frost damage for species was 8.3%. In a 400 m2 plot where all the individuals were counted, the frost damage was only 5.8% per individual. Species which are less resistant to frost are less frequency in the area. In many cases a clear relation between the degree of frost damage of species and their geographical distribution could be seen. Species which are distributed more to the north and which in Sao Paulo have their most southern occurrence were nearly totally or substantially damaged. Species which occur also to the south of Sao Paulo State, but whose genus as a whole has its distribution center in northern, warmer regions, had notable damage. Species which occur in the Brazilian Planalto Central, and which in some cases go even further south than the State of Sao Paulo, showed negligible or no damage. Of 2 spp. of the same genus, the more northern species was more damaged and less frequent than the southern species. Frost seems to be one of the selective factors influencing the floristic composition of the cerrado at its southern limit.

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