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Soil-vegetation relationship in seasonal deciduous forest remnant in the Central Region of Rio Grande does Sul, Brazil

The present study aimed to characterize the soil-vegetation relationship in Seasonal Deciduous Forest remnant at Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, starting from the analysis of the relationship between soil attributes and two phytosociological groups (G1 and G2). Chemical soil characteristics and clay percentage were submitted to variance analysis and relations with G1 and G2 were evaluated by Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Therefore, it was classified G1 and G2 within 3 slope intervals: 1-14°, 15-34° and 35-45°. Leptosols have been identified in high slopes and Arenosols in the plan area. G1 in 35-45° and G2 in 1-14º were more sensitive to soil chemical quality. The phytosociological groups and soil quality relationship increased proportionally with the increase on slope. The declivous relief, recent pedogenesis and sedimentary parental material highlighted the fragility of the area, which emphasizes the forest presence for the environmental services maintenance.

soil science; phytosociologic groups; principal components.


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