Soil Organic Carbon under Diferent Land Uses: natural vegetation (cerradão) versus Eucalyptus and Pinus plantations

Author(s)

Leda Lorenzo Montero

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2008-05-14

Examining board members

Welington Braz Carvalho Delitti; Ramon Victoriano Vallejo Calzada; Plinio Barbosa de Camargo; José Leonardo de Moraes Gonçalves; Alexandre Adalardo de Oliveira

• Advisor: Welington Braz Carvalho Delitti

Abstract

Effects on soil organic carbon storage potential and possible biogeochemical changes of established forest plantations were assessed in southeast Brazil, in Eucalyptus and Pinus plantations compared with natural areas of native dry forest (cerradão). 30 plots were randomly distributed for soil (0-5, 10-25 and 35-50 cm) and forest floor litter collection in mature plantations (~40 years old) and adjacent native forest. The design was replicated in 4 localities in Sao Paulo, southeast Brazil. Organic matter, organic carbon, macro nutrients, pH, density, and soil texture were determined. Soil organic carbon stocks were calculated through exponential equations adjustment and integration, values ranged from 3,4 to 8,6 kgC.m-2.(on the 0 and 30 cm layer) and from 5,7 to 11,3 kgC.m-2.(up to 1m). Soil organic carbon and biogeochemical features were affected under Eucalyptus and Pinus plantations. Changes in carbon stocks were stronger in organic layers and topsoil, due to the replacement of the original organic matter, causing chemical quality decrease. Effects of vegetation on topsoil organic carbon were site dependent, as plantations results in gains, losses and no remarkable differences between natural and forested areas. Eucalyptus and Pinus establishment led to organic carbon losses, which possibly conducted by soil disturbances at implementation of plantations. Carbon content was strongly related to clay at deeper layers, but not at shallower ones. Thicker organic layers with higher carbon content were found under plantations. Lower calcium, magnesium and potassium concentrations and higher acidity and C/N (carbon to nitrogen) ratios were measured at implanted forest floor litter layers. These changes could inhibit decomposition, explaining larger litter carbon storage. Soil organic matter is an important factor in maintaining tropical soil structure and fertility. It was affected by Eucalyptus and Pinus forestation. While litter organic mater is incorporated into the soil, it leads to soil organic matter chemical quality decreases. The topsoil C/N ratio measured in plantations was significantly higher than in natural vegetation areas, indicating organic matter replacement on this layer in plantations lifetime (~40 years). We concluded that litter and topsoil organic matter chemical properties were affected by forestation with Eucalyptus and Pinus, which could result in larger C stocks and residence times, but could also decrease trophic resources for decomposers, with implications on the whole ecosystem. The results suggest that soil carbon dynamics changes along the soil profile. Factors controlling surface soil carbon dynamics must be clarified further, as they contained high carbon amounts, the most sensible to management practices. (AU)