I.Introduction: continuing to face up to root ecology's challenges 975 II.Semantics: defining concepts for better understanding and communication 977III. Species-level vs ecosystem-level measurements 978

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-(Leaf anatomy of two Anemia Sw. species (Schizaeaceae-Pteridophyte) from a rocky outcrop in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The ferns Anemia tomentosa (Sav.) Sw. var. anthriscifolia (Schrad.) Mickel and Anemia villosa Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. are widely associated with vegetation islands on rocky outcrops in Rio de Janeiro. Both species are desiccation tolerant. The leaf anatomy of these species was examined aiming to identify morphological characteristics that would allow the establishment of these species in water-scarce environments. The plants were harvested on "Pedra de Itacoatiara" and prepared according to the usual procedures. The petiole has a uniseriate epidermis with lignified cell walls, conical stegmata, and uniseriate multicelular and glandular trichomes.

Non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) are the primary energy available for growth and dry‐mass production in forage grasses. They are also associated with tolerance to environmental stresses, including drought. Soluble carbohydrates, especially fructans of temperate forage grasses, have been extensively studied; however, little is known about NSC of tropical grasses. These plants are abundant in the Cerrado, a savanna‐like vegetation with a definite seasonality in rainfall distribution. Such an environment presents an ideal condition for the occurrence of fructans. However, the present analysis of carbohydrates in aerial parts of twenty‐four tropical grass species, mainly from the Panicoideae subfamily in the Cerrado, shows a distinctively different NSC profile when compared with temperate grasses. Free glucose and starch are common NSC found in most plant organs. However, free fructose and sucrose‐based oligosaccharides were only found in very low amounts. Sucrose was detected in higher amounts only in stems. A linear series of malto‐oligosaccharides was found in leaf blades, sheaths and stems of most of the Cerrado grasses, except for those from the Andropogoneae tribe. These results indicate a diversity of regulatory pathways of NSC metabolism in tropical forage grasses from the Cerrado.

-(Diurnal variations of non-structural carbohydrates in vegetative tissues of Melinis minutiflora, Echinolaena inflexa, and Lolium multiflorum -Poaceae). Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is a native C3 grass species with high biomass production and abundance in the cerrado comparable to Melinis minutiflora Beauv., a C4 forage grass of African origin, widespread in the cerrado, displacing some native herbaceous species. These species accumulate mainly starch, differently of Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum Beck cv. Lema (ryegrass), a C3 temperate forage grass that accumulates fructans as the major storage carbohydrate in the vegetative tissues. In the present study, we analyzed diurnal variations in the content and composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in the aerial vegetative parts of the three species. Results showed similarity in water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and starch contents between Melinis minutiflora and Echinolaena inflexa, with the exotic grass accumulating higher amounts of NSC. However, the levels of sucrose, glucose and fructose were 10 fold higher in Lolium multiflorum, that accumulates fructan as the main storage carbohydrate. Although the contents of WSC and starch were similar in the tropical species E. inflexa and M. minutiflora, their diurnal variations were different and could be related to starch metabolism, especially in M. minutiflora.Key words -cerrado, fructans, Panicoideae, Pooideae, starch, sugars RESUMO -(Variações diurnas nos carboidratos não-estruturais em tecidos vegetativos de Melinis minutiflora, Echinolaena inflexa and Lolium multiflorum -Poaceae).Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase (flexinha) é uma gramínea C3 nativa do cerrado, que apresenta produção de biomassa e abundância comparáveis às de Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (capim-gordura), uma gramínea C4, de origem africana e invasora do cerrado. Ambas espécies são perenes e armazenam amido como carboidrato de reserva, diferentemente de Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum Beck cv. Lema, uma gramínea C3 de regiões de clima temperado, introduzida no sul do Brasil para fins forrageiros, que acumula frutanos como principal carboidrato de reserva em seus órgãos vegetativos. Neste trabalho foram analisadas as variações diurnas no conteúdo e na composição dos carboidratos-não estruturais (NSC) presentes na parte aérea dessas três espécies. Os resultados mostraram que os conteúdos de açúcares solúveis em água (WSC) e de amido são semelhantes em Melinis minutiflora e Echinolaena inflexa, sendo maiores na espécie invasora. Contudo, as maiores quantidades de WSC, especialmente de sacarose, glicose e frutose foram encontradas em Lolium multiflorum, gramínea acumuladora de frutanos. Embora os conteúdos de WSC e de amido nas gramíneas tropicais E. inflexa e M. minutiflora tenham sido semelhantes entre si, os padrões diurnos de variação desses compostos foram diferentes nessas espécies e parecem estar relacionados ao metabolismo de amido, especialmente em M. minutiflora.

O presente estudo avaliou o potencial da trilha do Jequitibá, Parque Estadual dos Três Picos (RJ), para a sensibilização e conscientização dos seus usuários através da Interpretação Ambiental. Foram utilizadas as metodologias de caracterização biofísica da trilha, avaliação da trilha quanto a Interpretação Ambiental e o Índice de Atratividade dos Pontos Interpretativos (IAPI). A trilha do Jequitibá foi caracterizada como de leve dificuldade, curto percurso, com design apropriado para pedestres, sendo os impactos decorrentes do uso considerados mínimos ou controlados. Através do IAPI, pôde-se concluir que é uma trilha altamente atrativa, dotada de uma multiplicidade de recursos interpretativos. Apesar de possuir pontos de interpretação consensuais, estes enfatizam conteúdos biológicos e ecológicos em detrimento dos de cunho histórico e cultural, além de não apresentar roteiros temáticos de interpretação definidos. Embora não atenda a todos os pressupostos da Interpretação Ambiental, a trilha do Jequitibá pode ser considerada com caráter e potencial interpretativo, no entanto, os aspectos frisados devem ser trabalhados de forma a implementar e desenvolver plenamente a Interpretação Ambiental.

Advancing functional ecology depends fundamentally on the availability of data on reproductive traits, including those from tropical plants, which have been historically underrepresented in global trait databases. Although some valuable databases have been created recently, they are mainly restricted to temperate areas and vegetative traits such as leaf and wood traits. Here, we present Rock n' Seeds, a database of seed functional traits and germination experiments from Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation, recognized as outstanding For affiliation refer to page 2