Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest
Abstract Background This study aimed to determine the influence of soil traits, vegetation structure and climate on litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest (TDF) in southeastern Brazil. We used a chronosequence design consisting of three successional stages (early,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Forest Ecosystems |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-019-0194-y |
| _version_ | 1797966093517586432 |
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| author | Saimo R. Souza Maria D. M. Veloso Mário M. Espírito-Santo Jhonathan O. Silva Arturo Sánchez-Azofeifa Betânia G. Souza e Brito Geraldo Wilson Fernandes |
| author_facet | Saimo R. Souza Maria D. M. Veloso Mário M. Espírito-Santo Jhonathan O. Silva Arturo Sánchez-Azofeifa Betânia G. Souza e Brito Geraldo Wilson Fernandes |
| author_sort | Saimo R. Souza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study aimed to determine the influence of soil traits, vegetation structure and climate on litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest (TDF) in southeastern Brazil. We used a chronosequence design consisting of three successional stages (early, intermediate, and old-growth) defined based on forest age and vertical and horizontal structures. Methods Litterfall was recorded monthly for three years in 12 plots of 50 × 20 m (four plots per stage) where vegetation parameters (species richness, basal area, density and height for trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm) and soil chemical and physical traits were previously obtained. We placed eight 0.5-m2 litter traps in each plot, totalling 96 traps. Samples were sorted into leaves, twigs, reproductive parts, and debris. Results Litterfall mass was composed mainly of leaves and varied slightly among years (4 to 4.5 Mg∙ha− 1), within the range observed for other TDFs. Annual litterfall mass was higher at the old-growth forest than at the early and intermediate forest stages and this successional pattern was driven by vegetation characteristics (forest structural parameters and plant functional groups) and soil traits related to water-holding capacity. Litter amount in the intermediate stage was lower than expected for its forest structure (and similar to the early stage), possibly because its higher soil clay content increased the water holding capacity and leaf retention during the dry season. Seasonal variations in monthly litterfall were strongly driven by forest deciduousness and affected by climatic factors related to water availability. This pattern was consistent across the successional gradient, although differences for each litterfall component were observed. Conclusions Our results suggest that litter production in the studied TDF is influenced by multiple factors along succession, such as above-ground biomass and the degree of leaf retention mediated by soil water-holding capacity. Further studies on community phenological patterns can allow a better understanding of successional changes on litterfall and how fast this fundamental function recovers in secondary forests. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:10:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2055f4fbd9e14ce6a9be935f0566be8f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2197-5620 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:10:18Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forest Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-2055f4fbd9e14ce6a9be935f0566be8f2023-01-03T02:19:12ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Forest Ecosystems2197-56202019-08-016111210.1186/s40663-019-0194-yLitterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forestSaimo R. Souza0Maria D. M. Veloso1Mário M. Espírito-Santo2Jhonathan O. Silva3Arturo Sánchez-Azofeifa4Betânia G. Souza e Brito5Geraldo Wilson Fernandes6Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UnimontesDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UnimontesDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UnimontesColegiado de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco-UnivasfEarth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, University of AlbertaDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UnimontesInstituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMGAbstract Background This study aimed to determine the influence of soil traits, vegetation structure and climate on litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest (TDF) in southeastern Brazil. We used a chronosequence design consisting of three successional stages (early, intermediate, and old-growth) defined based on forest age and vertical and horizontal structures. Methods Litterfall was recorded monthly for three years in 12 plots of 50 × 20 m (four plots per stage) where vegetation parameters (species richness, basal area, density and height for trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm) and soil chemical and physical traits were previously obtained. We placed eight 0.5-m2 litter traps in each plot, totalling 96 traps. Samples were sorted into leaves, twigs, reproductive parts, and debris. Results Litterfall mass was composed mainly of leaves and varied slightly among years (4 to 4.5 Mg∙ha− 1), within the range observed for other TDFs. Annual litterfall mass was higher at the old-growth forest than at the early and intermediate forest stages and this successional pattern was driven by vegetation characteristics (forest structural parameters and plant functional groups) and soil traits related to water-holding capacity. Litter amount in the intermediate stage was lower than expected for its forest structure (and similar to the early stage), possibly because its higher soil clay content increased the water holding capacity and leaf retention during the dry season. Seasonal variations in monthly litterfall were strongly driven by forest deciduousness and affected by climatic factors related to water availability. This pattern was consistent across the successional gradient, although differences for each litterfall component were observed. Conclusions Our results suggest that litter production in the studied TDF is influenced by multiple factors along succession, such as above-ground biomass and the degree of leaf retention mediated by soil water-holding capacity. Further studies on community phenological patterns can allow a better understanding of successional changes on litterfall and how fast this fundamental function recovers in secondary forests.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-019-0194-yLitterfallTropical dry forestSecondary successionSoil characteristicsForest structureEcosystem functioning |
| spellingShingle | Saimo R. Souza Maria D. M. Veloso Mário M. Espírito-Santo Jhonathan O. Silva Arturo Sánchez-Azofeifa Betânia G. Souza e Brito Geraldo Wilson Fernandes Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest Forest Ecosystems Litterfall Tropical dry forest Secondary succession Soil characteristics Forest structure Ecosystem functioning |
| title | Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest |
| title_full | Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest |
| title_fullStr | Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest |
| title_full_unstemmed | Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest |
| title_short | Litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a Brazilian tropical dry forest |
| title_sort | litterfall dynamics along a successional gradient in a brazilian tropical dry forest |
| topic | Litterfall Tropical dry forest Secondary succession Soil characteristics Forest structure Ecosystem functioning |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-019-0194-y |
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