Litterfall and nutrient input to the soil in three restoration systems of Atlantic Forest, Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, Silva Jardim, RJ

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate litterfall production in three restoration systems of Atlantic Forest, Poço das Antas biological reserve, Silva Jardim, RJ. The material was collected monthly from November 2000 up to October 2001.The annual litter deposition was 9.69 t ha^-1 in dense system, 10.38 t ha^-1 in semidense, 9.97 t ha^-1 in tradicional system and 12.22 t ha^-1 in the secondary forest. There is no significant differences among the models. The values were quite superior to others studies in primary and secondary tropical forests. The leaves fraction were the most representative, with values among 63.1 to 76.2% of the total litter. The deposition was seasonal in the secundary forest and the traditional semi-dense systems, showed closer results to the secondary forest. In relation to nutrient input was observed higher N values than P and K.

Key words
Litter production; nutrient cycling; organic matter