Soil water dynamics and litter production in eucalypt and native vegetation in southeastern Brazil

High productivity of eucalypt plantations is the result of advances in research that have led to gradual improvements in intensive silvicultural technology. High productivity notwithstanding, eucalypt plantations remain the focus of environmental concerns. Our study aimed to compare the soil water regime, litter fall and nutrients dynamics either in a fragment of native forest or in an adjacent stand of growing eucalypt. We took field measurements during the first three years of eucalypt plantation in a sandy soil in the southeastern region of Brazil. Soil moisture and internal drainage were higher during the early stages of growth of the eucalypt stand, as compared with native vegetation. However, one and a half years after planting, available soil water was similar in both vegetations. Higher water availability under the eucalypt stand during the first year occurs because of silvicultural operations (soil preparation and weed control) and the small size of eucalypt trees; these factors increase water infiltration and decrease transpiration. Total leaf fall, over the study period, was similar for both ecosystems; however, differences were observed in the winter and early spring of 2010. The transfer of nutrients to soil by leaf fall was similar except for N and S, which was higher in native vegetation. Nitrogen concentration in the soil solution was higher in native vegetation, but K was higher under the eucalypt stand, mainly to a depth of up to 0.2 m.(AU)

Soil water dynamics and litter production in eucalypt and native vegetation in southeastern Brazil

High productivity of eucalypt plantations is the result of advances in research that have led to gradual improvements in intensive silvicultural technology. High productivity notwithstanding, eucalypt plantations remain the focus of environmental concerns. Our study aimed to compare the soil water regime, litter fall and nutrients dynamics either in a fragment of native forest or in an adjacent stand of growing eucalypt. We took field measurements during the first three years of eucalypt plantation in a sandy soil in the southeastern region of Brazil. Soil moisture and internal drainage were higher during the early stages of growth of the eucalypt stand, as compared with native vegetation. However, one and a half years after planting, available soil water was similar in both vegetations. Higher water availability under the eucalypt stand during the first year occurs because of silvicultural operations (soil preparation and weed control) and the small size of eucalypt trees; these factors increase water infiltration and decrease transpiration. Total leaf fall, over the study period, was similar for both ecosystems; however, differences were observed in the winter and early spring of 2010. The transfer of nutrients to soil by leaf fall was similar except for N and S, which was higher in native vegetation. Nitrogen concentration in the soil solution was higher in native vegetation, but K was higher under the eucalypt stand, mainly to a depth of up to 0.2 m.

Savanna woodland soil micromorphology related to water retention

The limiting factors of the Brazilian savanna physical environment have been largely discussed. Soil morphology is fundamental to understand the behavior of soil water flow, soil physical properties and soil-landscape relationships. The aim of this study is to relate soil micro and macromorphologic attributes to soil water retention on a toposequence under native savanna woodland (cerradão) in a permanent plot of 320 m FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 320 m installed in Assis, SP, Brazil. Samples collected at five points within the toposequence were used to determine the soil macroporosity by means of image analyses, estimated total porosity, chemical analysis, particle size distribution analysis and soil water retention. From the summit down to the footslope, the soils were classified as Rhodic Haplustox, Typic Haplustox and Epiaquic Haplustult, presenting a gradual color transition and a sandy loam texture. In the surface horizons, the higher organic matter content and the high total macroporosity determined a lower soil bulk density and lower water retention. In the Oxisols, the high soil macroporosity results from the packing of microaggregates in the oxic horizon. In the Ultisol, the lower total porosity in the deeper horizons resulted in a higher water retention and an imperfect water drainage. The water retention conditions on the slope influenced the morphological differences in soil color and structure. The low water retention on the surface and oxic horizons, conditioned by the high total macroporosity, is one of the factors that may define the vegetal pattern of the savanna woodland within the permanent plot.

Os fatores limitantes do ambiente físico do Cerrado têm sido muito discutidos. Porém, o detalhamento da morfologia do solo torna-se fundamental à compreensão do seu funcionamento físico-hídrico e sua relação com a paisagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi relacionar os atributos macro e micromorfológicos à retenção de água no solo em uma toposseqüência sob cerradão em uma parcela permanente de 320 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 320 m, instalada em Assis, SP. Amostras coletadas em cinco pontos distribuídos na toposseqüência foram utilizadas para determinar a macroporosidade do solo por análise de imagens, porosidade total estimada, análise química, granulometria e retenção de água no solo. De montante a jusante, os solos foram classificados como Latossolo Vermelho, Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, Latossolo Amarelo e Gleissolo Háplico, apresentando uma transição gradual de cor e textura franco-arenosa. No horizonte de superfície, o maior teor de matéria orgânica e a elevada macroporosidade total determinaram menor densidade do solo e baixa retenção de água. Nos Latossolos, a microestrutura do solo consistiu principalmente em aglomerados de microagregados, ocasionando uma elevada macroporosidade no horizonte diagnóstico. No Gleissolo, a menor porosidade total nos horizontes mais profundos resultou em uma maior retenção de água e drenagem imperfeita. As diferenças morfológicas de cor e estrutura do solo foram influenciadas pelas condições de retenção de água na vertente. A baixa retenção de água nos horizontes de solo superficiais e latossólicos, condicionada pela elevada macroporosidade total, é um dos fatores que pode definir o padrão vegetacional de cerradão na parcela permanente.

Savanna woodland soil micromorphology related to water retention

The limiting factors of the Brazilian savanna physical environment have been largely discussed. Soil morphology is fundamental to understand the behavior of soil water flow, soil physical properties and soil-landscape relationships. The aim of this study is to relate soil micro and macromorphologic attributes to soil water retention on a toposequence under native savanna woodland (cerradão) in a permanent plot of 320 m FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 320 m installed in Assis, SP, Brazil. Samples collected at five points within the toposequence were used to determine the soil macroporosity by means of image analyses, estimated total porosity, chemical analysis, particle size distribution analysis and soil water retention. From the summit down to the footslope, the soils were classified as Rhodic Haplustox, Typic Haplustox and Epiaquic Haplustult, presenting a gradual color transition and a sandy loam texture. In the surface horizons, the higher organic matter content and the high total macroporosity determined a lower soil bulk density and lower water retention. In the Oxisols, the high soil macroporosity results from the packing of microaggregates in the oxic horizon. In the Ultisol, the lower total porosity in the deeper horizons resulted in a higher water retention and an imperfect water drainage. The water retention conditions on the slope influenced the morphological differences in soil color and structure. The low water retention on the surface and oxic horizons, conditioned by the high total macroporosity, is one of the factors that may define the vegetal pattern of the savanna woodland within the permanent plot.

Os fatores limitantes do ambiente físico do Cerrado têm sido muito discutidos. Porém, o detalhamento da morfologia do solo torna-se fundamental à compreensão do seu funcionamento físico-hídrico e sua relação com a paisagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi relacionar os atributos macro e micromorfológicos à retenção de água no solo em uma toposseqüência sob cerradão em uma parcela permanente de 320 FONT FACE=Symbol>´ /FONT> 320 m, instalada em Assis, SP. Amostras coletadas em cinco pontos distribuídos na toposseqüência foram utilizadas para determinar a macroporosidade do solo por análise de imagens, porosidade total estimada, análise química, granulometria e retenção de água no solo. De montante a jusante, os solos foram classificados como Latossolo Vermelho, Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, Latossolo Amarelo e Gleissolo Háplico, apresentando uma transição gradual de cor e textura franco-arenosa. No horizonte de superfície, o maior teor de matéria orgânica e a elevada macroporosidade total determinaram menor densidade do solo e baixa retenção de água. Nos Latossolos, a microestrutura do solo consistiu principalmente em aglomerados de microagregados, ocasionando uma elevada macroporosidade no horizonte diagnóstico. No Gleissolo, a menor porosidade total nos horizontes mais profundos resultou em uma maior retenção de água e drenagem imperfeita. As diferenças morfológicas de cor e estrutura do solo foram influenciadas pelas condições de retenção de água na vertente. A baixa retenção de água nos horizontes de solo superficiais e latossólicos, condicionada pela elevada macroporosidade total, é um dos fatores que pode definir o padrão vegetacional de cerradão na parcela permanente.