Relationship between the environmental conditions and floristic patterns in two phytophysiognomies of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

Cerrado is the second-largest Brazilian biome and an important area for nature conservation. However, little is known about the distribution of forest species in anthropized areas undergoing natural regeneration. Understanding the dynamics of ecological succession is fundamental to the decision-making process regarding revegetation of anthropic areas in the Cerrado. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the phytosociological patterns of natural regeneration in areas anthropized by agricultural uses in the Cerrado in different soil and environmental conditions. For this purpose, the study was performed in an anthropized area that has been protected from anthropic actions since 2002. A floristic survey of forest species was carried out, and soil samples were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm to determine the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The distribution of forest species with respect to the soil characteristics was determined using multivariate analysis. The distribution of the forest species was shown to be influenced by the soil properties and the degree of succession of the vegetation. Furthermore, the natural regeneration process resulted in an improvement in the chemical properties of soils in the Gleysol class. This pattern is related to the slow decomposition of organic matter, being associated with an environment that has greater water availability and, consequently, less nutrient loss from leaching during the cycling mechanisms responsible for the return of nutrients to the soil.