Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate if the soil heterogeneity expressed by the different soil classes would condition tree communities with different dynamic behaviors. The data were collected from 25 plots sized 20 × 20 (400 m²), 10 of them with Inceptisols, 9 with Ultisols, 5 with Entisols B and 1 with Entisols A. All individuals with DBH ≥ 5.0 cm in the plots were sampled in 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2015. Rates of mortality, recruitment, gain, loss and turnover dynamics in number of individuals and basal area were estimated for each soil class. The tree communities present in the soil classes showed no differences in the dynamic behavior to the point of expressing edaphic fragment heterogeneity. The differences are associated with stochastic fluctuations in rates caused by small disturbances, suggesting little influence of the soils on the dynamics of small-scale communities.
Highlights
AND OBJECTIVESTropical forests are dynamic systems that exhibit variations throughout space and time
In semi-deciduous forests, this variation has been associated with a history of fragment disturbance and environmental heterogeneity caused by water availability, topography, successional stages and soil types (Botrel et al, 2002; Meyer et al, 2015; Morel et al 2016; Oliveira-Filho et al, 2007; Terra et al, 2015)
Mortality and recruitment rates are commonly higher in environments with higher resource availability, such as fertility and humidity, resulting in faster turnover rates (Martins et al, 2015; Missio et al, 2016; Pontara et al, 2016; Russo et al, 2008), while slow growth, low mortality and recruitment of individuals are observed in poor-resourced soils (Martins et al, 2015; Missio et al, 2016; Pontara et al, 2016; Russo et al, 2008)
Summary
AND OBJECTIVESTropical forests are dynamic systems that exhibit variations throughout space and time. Among the factors that promote environmental heterogeneity, soil stands out as one of the main determinants of tropical forests on local scales. On this scale, the specific characteristics of each habitat assume a special role in conditioning vegetation. The abundance and distribution of tree individuals, the richness and diversity of species and the tropical forest’s structure are strongly influenced by soil resource availability (nutrients and water) on small scales (Bolhman et al, 2008; Martins et al, 2015; Peña-Claros et al, 2012). Mortality and recruitment rates are commonly higher in environments with higher resource availability, such as fertility and humidity, resulting in faster turnover rates (Martins et al, 2015; Missio et al, 2016; Pontara et al, 2016; Russo et al, 2008), while slow growth, low mortality and recruitment of individuals are observed in poor-resourced soils (Martins et al, 2015; Missio et al, 2016; Pontara et al, 2016; Russo et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
