(Mineral elements in leaves of tree specie from Atlantic and "Restinga" Forests, at Ilha do Cardoso, SP). In continuity to the study of the nutrient cycling process in the Atlantic and "Restinga" Forests at Ilha do Cardoso (25º12'S and 48º01'W), São Paulo, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients, Na and Al in the leaf compartment, represented by the most important tree species, are presented. The 10 species with the highest importance value index were included, whose leaves composed mixed samples. Samples were taken in Jun/93 and Dez/93. The contents of all elements, excluding B and Na, were higher in leaves from the Atlantic Forest. The concentrations of most of the minerals were higher in the fresh leaves than in the leaf litterfall, becoming evident the occurrence of strategies of nutrient economy in both forests, especially at the "restinga", indicating its high use-efficiency of a small nutrient standing stock.
Leaf nutrient; mineral cycling; Atlantic Forest; "Restinga" Forest
