Leaves deposition and nutrients of tree species in a native forest in southern Brazil

Abstract

The present study was conducted in a fragment of a seasonal deciduous forest in Itaara (State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). This research has as its main aim to evaluate the monthly leaves production and nutrients transfer to the soil of seven native species. Six plots (25 m x 17 m) were delimited to collect the deposited leaves, with five round collectors in each plot, in a total of 30 collectors. The deposited leaves had been collected monthly during a period of 24 months. In such material it was determined the content of nutrients as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn and Zn. In laboratory, the leaves were identified into seven native species: Ocotea puberula (A. Rich.) Nees, Ocotea pulchella Mart., Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez, Matayba elaeagnoides Radlk., Cupania vernalis Cambess., Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan and Schinus molle L. The results revealed a variation in deposition in relation to the amount of leaves as well as in forest soil among the native species analyzed. The tree species which transferred more litter and nutrients (mainly N, P, K, Ca and S) was Parapiptadenia rigida.