Biogeochemical properties at the Jataí ecological Station Wetlands (Moji-Guaçu River, Säo Paulo, SP)

RESUMO

The relatively large number of scientific publications on natural and constructed wetlands around the world is due to the importance these areas have as critical sites where biogeochemical cycling of elements is extensive on a global scale. The understanding of ecological functions and community structure is highly dependent on the knowledge of those cycles and their interactions. These studies are also relevant because natural or constructed wetlands are sites used worldwide to treat industrial and domestic effluents. This paper reports on a series of studies performed and in progress at the Jataí Ecological Station (Moji-Guaçu river, Luiz Antonio, SP, Brazil) with emphasis on the main biogeochemical properties of aquatic systems found there (lacustrine and riverine). Results obtained during the last 10 years within the scope of the Jataí Project with its various subprojects is just beginning to permit understanding the high complexity of these ecosystems.