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SOIL AND VEGETATION ON THE HIGH ALTITUDE ROCKY COMPLEXES OF THE MANTIQUEIRA AND ESPINHAÇO MOUNTAIN

ABSTRACT

The High Altitude Complex encompasses ecosystems with unique characteristics on the top of the main mountain ranges of Brazil. These ecosystems differ from the surrounding dominating biomes due to soil and animal characteristics showing high diversity and endemic species. Morphological and physiological adaptation of plants to soil constraints and burning provide this ecosystem with a relevant genetic bank still to be investigated. Soil are shallow, sandy, olygotrophic and contain high amounts of exchangeable aluminum. Humic to organic horizons are common in these soils indicating low degree of soil organic matter decomposition. Humic substances are predominantly consisted of fulvic acids. Illuviation of soil organic matter is present particularly on areas over quartzite. Hence spodic horizons are formed and rivers show dark colour. Organic material show strong melanization due to the high amounts of charcoal and its by-products in soils. The presence of charcoal in the soil is an evidence of natural burning commonly observed in high altitudes of mountains. Soils on quartzite (Espinhaço) are different from igneous soils (Mantiqueira) as they show low levels of plant nutrients and carbon. Pedogenetic processes indicate natural degradation of these environments under present climatic conditions. This process is more intensive in areas on quartzite, which are under advanced degradation

Key words:
top mountain soil; Paramos; High Altitude Grassland

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