Carbon isotopes in soils in the tropical region of Brazil and relationships with the cerrado - natural forest sequence of vegetations

• Grant number: 94/01272-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 1994
• End date: July 31, 1996
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Carlos Ruiz Pessenda
• Grantee: Luiz Carlos Ruiz Pessenda
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Using carbon isotopes (C12, C13 and C14) from the organic matter of the soils of three regions in the state of Rondônia, it is intended to evaluate and discover a better understanding of the processes of environmental modification involved in the sequence cerrado-natural forest located from the south to the center-north of the state. For this purpose we will seek to answer questions such as: a) in the sequence of vegetations, which one is in expansion/regression, or is there a balance in this ecosystem?; b) for how many years did each one of these vegetations predominate in their respective areas?; c) could there be fossils (charcoals) buried in the depths in the soils suggesting ancient fires and, possibly, drier past climates? (AU)