Adjustments that a tree species displays in acclimating to light conditions may explain its fate in different forest successional stages. Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong is a tree found in contrasting light environments and used in reforestation programs because of its rapid growth. This study analyzed the performance of tamboril seedlings grown in three light environments: FS—full sun (100% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and a red/far-red ratio (R/FR) of 1.66), S—shade net (38% of PAR and a R/FR of 1.54) and I—Insulfilm^® (Insulfilm, São Paulo, Brazil) shade cloth (24% of PAR and a R/FR of 0.69). Greater net assimilation, higher root/shoot ratio, higher stomatal density, and reduced leaf area are some of the functional traits developed by tamboril to acclimate to full sun. On the other hand, a larger leaf area associated with a greater specific leaf area, higher leaf area ratio, higher leaf number and leafing intensity, as well as higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents are among the most important traits for tamboril to acclimate to shade. The seedlings growing in FS displayed the best quality index. However, the traits developed in the nursery under each light condition could promote the successful installation and survival of tamboril seedlings under similar conditions in the field.

Rainfall exclusion experiments allow us assessing the effects of environmental stresses such as long-term water limitations on both leaf and canopy structural traits. This work aimed to evaluate how leaf anatomical traits and canopy development of productive coffee trees change when submitted to more dry conditions in the southern region of Minas Gerais - Brazil. The experimental plots have been set up in a plantation area in which is growing Coffea arabica L. cv. Mundo Novo- IAC 379-19, in a completely randomized arrangement, composed by three treatments: Control (C) - no gutter system; Control plus roof (Ĉ) and Exclusion system (E). Leaf anatomical and canopy traits were determined within a year at the end of each season: late Spring- 2015 (Sp), and late Summer (Su), late Autumn (Au) and late Winter (Wi) - 2016. During the studied period the rainfall exclusion condition led to a reduction in the relative water content (RWC) of leaves. In the leaf-level, as the dry condition increase, the leaves invested in thicker cuticles, reduced xylem and phloem areas and smaller stomata, especially with the rainfall exclusion. In the canopy-level, there was a remarkable reduction in leaf area index (LAI) especially in the winter as a strategy of reduction of transpiratory area, when the availability of water decreased around 25%. In a context of reduced water availability due to effects of climate change, coffee trees may be able to present modifications at both levels, to cope with the effects of this abiotic stress. Key words: Adaptation strategies; Coffea arabica L.; Ecophysiology; Leaf anatomy; Seasonal patterns.