Hydro-physical characterization of soils under the Restinga Forest

Miguel Cooper,Raquel Stucchi Boschi,Raul Shiso Toma,Laura Fernanda Simões Da Silva,Pablo Vidal-Torrado

doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2016-0103

Miguel Cooper, Raquel Stucchi Boschi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2016-0103

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Abstract

Knowledge of the hydraulic properties of the soil is of crucial importance to an understanding of the interactions between vegetation, soil and water. There is little information available about the hydraulic properties of Podzol soils found in tropical regions. The aim of this study was to present the soil morphology and hydraulic properties of a toposequence situated in a permanent plot at the Ilha do Cardoso State Park (Cananéia, SP, Brazil). Ultradetailed soil maps were used to define a toposequence inside the permanent plot. Five profiles, representing the main types of soil, were opened along the toposequence, in which Podzols are dominant. The levels of bulk density, sand content, porosity and permeability in these soils were all high. Consequently, these soils have a high level of hydraulic conductivity with low water retention. This behavior undergoes an alteration in the Bh and Bs horizons due to the accumulation of organic and metallic compounds and a changing structure that modifies the pore distribution. Furthermore, the characterization of the hydro-physical functioning of soils in natural environments is an important source of encouragement to further investigative study of soil water dynamics and its relationship to the native vegetation.

Highlights

The high number of biotic and abiotic factors affecting the development of native vegetation results in environmental systems that are very complex
In the Restinga, Podzols are dominant and most studies in tropical regions focus on their genesis and classification (Gomes et al, 2007; Buurman et al, 2013)
Tropical Podzols are mainly hydromorphic sandy soils, strongly acidic, and frequently deep, with low nutrient status. These poorly drained Podzols typically present below an E horizon a flat and thick B horizon (Bh, Bhm) enriched in organic matter (OM), with or without aluminum oxides, that have been laterally transported by water as dissolved OM, and accumulated where they have come to rest by several mechanisms (Buurman and Jongmans, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

The high number of biotic and abiotic factors affecting the development of native vegetation results in environmental systems that are very complex. A knowledge of SHP is essential to understanding water flow and solute transport in both saturated and unsaturated soils These properties can be used to define soil management practices and can assist in the restoration of natural areas. Tropical Podzols are mainly hydromorphic sandy soils, strongly acidic, and frequently deep, with low nutrient status These poorly drained Podzols typically present below an E (albic) horizon a flat and thick B horizon (Bh, Bhm) enriched in organic matter (OM), with or without aluminum oxides, that have been laterally transported by water as dissolved OM, and accumulated where they have come to rest by several mechanisms (Buurman and Jongmans, 2005). These features are frequently associated with the limiting soil characteristics observed in this environment (Lima et al, 2011; Bonilha et al, 2012)

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