Abstract
Studies on litter deposition are considered an important indicator of environmental quality of forest ecosystems. It is the main route of entry of organic matter and nutrients to forests. The objective of this study was to quantify the annual litterfall and seasonality in a fragment of native forest located in São Sepé in the Central Depression of Rio Grande do Sul. The experiment was conducted in a fragment of a Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. Inside this forest, in a place with homogeneous conditions, five plots of 20 m x 15 m length were systematically allocated 30 meters away from each other, where five litterfall traps were distributed in each plot (0,1963 m2 each trap), totaling 25 traps. The collection of all plant material deposited by the trees in the collectors was performed monthly in a four-year period. In the laboratory, the samples were separated into leaves, small twigs (diameter < 0.5 cm) and miscellaneous, and after they were oven dried and weighed on a precision balance. Higher litterfall was observed in the spring, with the highest return peaks mainly in October, indicating a seasonal deposition behavior. The mean litterfall was 6.56 Mg ha-1 year-1; of this total, the leaves were responsible for 67.61%, followed by the miscellaneous with 19.04% and the small twigs with 13.29%. Only a high significant correlation was obtained between the miscellaneous fraction and the temperature.
Highlights
The state of Rio Grande do Sul is known for its important agricultural activity, mainly extensive livestock, with a large occurrence of extensive soybean and rice crops, which generate great environmental impacts on native ecosystems, with considerable reduction of their habitats
The native forest of the Subtropical Seasonal-type predominates, which currently occurs in the form of fragments, with different levels of impact and degradation, where few studies with nutrient cycling have been developed, such as those by Schumacher et al (2018); Cunha et al (1993); König et al (2002) and Vogel et al, (2007)
In order to seek a better understanding of the contribution of litter in the supply of organic material and nutrients in forest fragments, the objective of this study was to quantify the annual production of litterfall and its seasonality in leaves, small twigs and miscellaneous fractions, for a period of four years, in a fragment of native forest of the Seasonal Semideciduous type, located in the São Sepé county in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil
Summary
The state of Rio Grande do Sul is known for its important agricultural activity, mainly extensive livestock, with a large occurrence of extensive soybean and rice crops, which generate great environmental impacts on native ecosystems, with considerable reduction of their habitats. In the Central Depression region of the state it is no different as there are currently few remnants of native forests, which are very disturbed and need to be better studied in order to be restored and preserved. In this region, the native forest of the Subtropical Seasonal-type predominates, which currently occurs in the form of fragments, with different levels of impact and degradation, where few studies with nutrient cycling have been developed, such as those by Schumacher et al (2018); Cunha et al (1993); König et al (2002) and Vogel et al, (2007).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
