Full text
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| Author(s): |
Susian Christian Martins
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Piracicaba. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/STB) |
| Defense date: | 2010-03-02 |
| Examining board members: |
Marisa de Cassia Piccolo;
Jose Carlos Casagrande;
José Leonardo de Moraes Gonçalves;
Renato Marques;
Pablo Vidal Torrado
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| Advisor: | Marisa de Cassia Piccolo |
| Abstract | |
The Atlantic Rainforest is an important Biome spanning the coast of Brazil from north to south and is considered a hot-spot in terms of biodiversity. Up to now, little information has been available on the basic biogeochemistry functioning of the coastal Atlantic Forest throughout the altitudinal gradient. The aim of this study was to understand the basic biogeochemistry functioning of the coastal Atlantic Forest. The studied areas were: Restinga Forest at sea level; Lowland Forest at 100m above sea level (asl); Submontane Forest at 400m asl and; Montane Forest at 1000m asl. The sampling area was 1 ha at 0m and 2 ha at 100m, 400m and 1000m asl. Soils samples (0-1.0m depth) were collected (n=32) from square regular grids, 30m away from each other. The litterfall samples were collected biweekly (n=30) and the forest floor litter accumulated (0.06m2) was collected monthly (n=30), during 12 months, in each forest type. For the soil characterization was selected chemical, physical, isotopic and mineralogical data for the soils sampled. For the litter characterization was selected production, stock, decomposition, quality, chemical and isotopic data in each forest type. Our study showed strong altitudinal control in the nutritional concentration of soils; therefore, higher altitudes (400m and 1000m) tend to have higher richer soils than lower altitudes (0m and 100m). The soils of our study sites are poor in basic cations and rich in aluminum concentration compared with Amazon soils and other soils of the inland Atlantic Forest. The large nutritional stocks are concentrated in the upper layer. There is an enrichment of \'delta\'13C e \'delta\'15N in depth in each studied site. The soil \'delta\'13C values were represented by C3 plants values. Thus, local topography, soil texture and microclimate of each altitudinal gradient influenced the soil attribute distribution of the study area. There isnt an altitudinal control in the nutritional concentration of litter. The litterfall was higher at 0m and 100m asl. The litter decomposition was smaller at 400m and 1000m asl. Analyses of the main components were useful in studying phytophysiognomie groups. The results suggest the existence of a mechanism that directs a closed nutrient cycle in these forests (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 05/57950-4 - Cycling of nutrients from the soil and litter in dense ombrophilous forest in the Serra do Mar State Park |
| Grantee: | Susian Christian Martins |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |