SPACE-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF PAR REFLECTED BY THE SOIL AND TRANSMITTED BY THE CANOPY IN A FLOODPLAIN FOREST OF MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT

Ground cover and the vegetation type influence radiative flux through reflectance off the soil beneath the canopy and by transmittance from the canopy. Here, we analyze spatial and temporal variation in reflected photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), from soil in a seasonally flooded forest dominated by Vochysia divergens Pohl in a wetland area of Mato-Grosso State, Brazil. The study area was divided into 5 transects with 11 sampling points, totaling 55 measured points and samples were taken between December 2011 and November 2012. The spatial distribution of reflected PAR was assessed by applying the spherical model to semivariograms. We found a negative correlation between leaf area index and canopy transmittance, PAR below the canopy and PAR reflected by soil, and a positive correlation between PAR below the canopy and PAR reflected by soil. Our results indicate the spatial dependence of reflected PAR during the 9 months of the study. The most common range between the semivariograms was 100 m in December/2011, January/2011 and November/2012, and the greatest range was in June/2012. These variations in reflected PAR are likely caused by differences in topographical elevation, moisture buildup and vegetation differences which have the capacity to alter soil color and/or cover, thereby altering light reflection.

Keywords:
Cambará; flooded area; semivariogram; Vochysia divergens