ABSTRACT
The expansion of eucalyptus plantations in southern Brazil, especially over regions with natural grasslands, which occurred in the last decade potentially changes total organic carbon and nitrogen in soil. The aim of this study was to test the Century model 4.5 in the simulation of changes in inventories of TOC and TN in the surface layer (0.0-0.2 m) soil in Eucalyptus sp. com different ages in three municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Areas adjacent to grasslands were used to estimate the original stocks of TOC and TN these sites. The Century model 4.5 showed a good adjustment in the simulation of the soil TOC stock, with similar values of simulated and observed, and can be used to simulate organic matter dynamics in pasture and in eucalyptus plantations. Even with changes of parameters, the model failed to simulate the TN stocks with acceptable statistical accuracy and efficiency.
soil organic matter; Century model; silviculture
