Nutritional Contribution of Litter in Rainforest of Brazil

Abstract

Lowlands Dense Ombrophilous Forest is one phytophysiognomies of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The main ecological characteristic of this forest is the Ombrophilous environment, related to high rainfall and temperature indexes. Nutrient cycling is well balanced in the periods of good thermo-pluviometric distribution. Global climatic changes have been intensifying in recent years making rainfall irregular, changing its distribution and intensity throughout the year. This can affect the natural regeneration and vegetative growth of the species. This study aimed to correlate litterfall and nutrient contribution with climatic variations, identifying the level of importance of this correlation and which nutrients may have their compromised cycling. Literfall was collected monthly in 40 collectors. N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents were determined and their stocks were calculated. The litter deposition was 8,261.15 kg ha-1 year-1 and was not influenced by rainfall and temperature. The N, P, K, Ca and Mg stock in this litter was 244.93 kg ha-1 year-1, being stored just of N 113.75 kg ha-1 year-1. P and K stocks varied with rainfall and temperature, suggesting that variations in these climatic variables may interfere in the cycling of these nutrients in this forest fragment.