Abstract
ABSTRACT Brazilian biomes have been severely threatened and their conservation depends on the knowledge of intrinsic ecological processes and correct phytophysiognomy identification of legal protection purposes. Litterfall deposition and decomposition patterns associated with taxonomic composition, climate, soil and relief can be considered important tools for vegetation typology. This study contributes to classifying the Natural Park of Morrinhos ( Parque Natural de Morrinhos - PNM), a forest fragment in the southern region of Goias, using litterfall deposition and decomposition rates. The results show intense litterfall deposition at the end of the dry period and rapid decomposition in the rainy season (62%), requiring 494 days for total decomposition. The rapid litterfall decomposition rate (k = 1.42 year -1), cumulative annual deposition of 6.43 Mg ha-1 and the taxonomic composition of the vegetation contribute to the classification of PNM as a Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest.
Highlights
The great extent and centralized geographic positioning of the Cerrado biome in Brazil resulted in transitional environments of this domain with Amazonian forests to the north and the Atlantic Forest to the south (Méio et al, 2003)
Litterfall deposition and decomposition patterns associated with taxonomic composition, climate, soil and relief can be considered important tools for vegetation typology
The results show intense litterfall deposition at the end of the dry period and rapid decomposition in the rainy season (62%), requiring 494 days for total decomposition
Summary
The great extent and centralized geographic positioning of the Cerrado biome in Brazil resulted in transitional environments of this domain with Amazonian forests to the north and the Atlantic Forest to the south (Méio et al, 2003). Scarano (2014) addresses the scientific, environmental, economic and social relevance of Cerrado and discusses conservation strategies for this biome. It is necessary to classify the vegetation to be conserved and/or restored as protected areas, which is carried out through technical and scientific studies. The predominant tropical forest formations in Brazil are classified according to physiognomic and ecological criteria based on four basic interrelated factors: rainfall, altitude, temperature and soil (IBGE, 2012). Two parameters directly related to climate are considered as classification criteria of the different forest formations: i) production of dead organic matter (litterfall), mainly represented by leaves falling off trees/plants; and ii) speed with which nutrients that compose litterfall become available to plants through the mineralization process that occurs during litterfall decomposition (Olson, 1963; Bray & Gorham, 1964)
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