Does nutrient cycling differ between fragments of Atlantic Forest with distinct structural aspects? A case study in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate litter biomass and nutrient inputs, as well as nutrient use efficiency (NUE), in two fragments of dense montane rain forest within the Atlantic Forest Biome in the northern region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The total annual average litter production for the two fragments (designated M1 and M2) was 7.72 and 7.56 t ha −1 year −1 , respectively. The annual nutrient return rate was 146. 67, 4.84, 21.41, 64.93, and 17.25 kg ha −1 year −1 for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. No differences in NUE were observed between the studied fragments, except for that of P. The average NUE for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively, was 51, 1426, 367, 111, and 428 in fragment M1, compared with 51, 1890, 360, 126, and 472 in fragment M2. The litter biomass input did not differ between the forest fragments studied, indicating that the differences in elevation and forest biomass did not affect nutrient cycling. However, a difference in the litter deposition rate between the dry and rainy periods was observed in fragment M2.

Spatial distribution of the litter carbon stock in the Cerrado biome in Minas Gerais state, Brazil

“…The range of values is given by the litter formation process, which is a complex interaction among edafoclimatic factors, source material, trees density and species composition, among others (Yang et al, 2005;Cunha;Gama Rodrigues, 2014;White et al, 2013). Wtzlawick et al (2012) and O'Connell and Sakan (1997) related that the low level of nutrients accumulated in the litter and the soil water deficit are the factors more unfavorable to decomposition, both intrinsic characteristics of the Brazilian Cerrado biome.…”