LEAF RESIDUE DECOMPOSITION OF SELECTED ATLANTIC FOREST TREE SPECIES

Helga Dias Arato,Igor Rodrigues De Assis,Júlio Cesar Lima Neves,Nairam Félix De Barros,Luiz Eduardo Dias,Carlos Ernesto Gonçalves Reynaud Schaefer

doi:10.1590/1806-90882017000300020

Helga Dias Arato, Igor Rodrigues De Assis + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-90882017000300020

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Journal: Revista Árvore	Publication Date: Feb 22, 2018
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Biogeochemical cycling is essential to establish and maintain plant and animal communities. Litter is one of main compartments of this cycle, and the kinetics of leaf decomposition in forest litter depend on the chemical composition and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effect of leaf composition and environmental conditions on leaf decomposition of native Atlantic Forest trees. The following species were analyzed: Mabea fistulifera Mart., Bauhinia forficata Link., Aegiphila sellowiana Cham., Zeyheria tuberculosa (Vell), Luehea grandiflora Mart. et. Zucc., Croton floribundus Spreng., Trema micrantha (L) Blume, Cassia ferruginea (Schrad) Schrad ex DC, Senna macranthera (DC ex Collad.) H. S. Irwin and Barney and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae). For each species, litter bags were distributed on and fixed to the soil surface of soil-filled pots (in a greenhouse), or directly to the surface of the same soil type in a natural forest (field). Every 30 days, the dry weight and soil basal respiration in both environments were determined. The cumulative decomposition of leaves varied according to the species, leaf nutrient content and environment. In general, the decomposition rate was lowest for Aegiphila sellowiana and fastest for Bauhinia forficate and Schinus terebinthifolius. This trend was similar under the controlled conditions of a greenhouse and in the field. The selection of species with a differentiated decomposition pattern, suited for different stages of the recovery process, can help improve soil restoration.

Highlights

For the restoration process of a given area, a basic condition is to ensure good enough soil quality conditions for the survival and growth of plants
Litter is one of main compartments of this cycle, and the kinetics of leaf decomposition in forest litter depend on the chemical composition and environmental conditions
This study evaluated the effect of leaf composition and environmental conditions on leaf decomposition of native Atlantic Forest trees

Summary

Introduction

For the restoration process of a given area, a basic condition is to ensure good enough soil quality conditions for the survival and growth of plants. The SOC uptake potential and litter decomposition depend on the nature of the decomposing soil biota (macro, meso and soil microfauna), of substrate and climate (Barlow et al, 2007), as well as on the chemical and physical properties of the plant residues, determining its degradability (Lekha and Gupta, 1989; Dias and Griffith, 1998; Griffith et al, 2000). It promotes physical protection, reducing the impact of raindrops and runoff This creates a favorable environment for the establishment of soil fauna and microbial decomposers. This role has been described for the most diverse soils and substrates, e.g., of tropical forests, phyllites containing metal sulfides in a gold mining area, or bauxite-tailing ponds (Dias et al, 2000; Reis, 2006; Ge et al, 2013; Rai et al, 2016)

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