Nutrient dynamics in Atlantic forest fragments located in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Abstract

The Atlantic Rainforest occurs along the Brazilian coast, and because of its extension and large latitudinal range, it is characterized by one of the highest biodiversity of the world. The remaining area of the Atlantic forest is reduced to small fragments due to the highest population density living in its domain and replacement by agricultural fields. This is especially true in the Northeast region of Brazil, where since the colonization period forests were cleared for sugar cane cultivation. Currently, the few existing areas are highly fragmented. In these areas the number of tree species has declined due to the disruption of ecological processes such as pollination and seed dispersal. Such changes may lead to profound alteration in the nutrient cycling, but these potential changes have not been evaluated yet. Based on the absence of such studies, this project aims to investigate the dynamics of nutrient cycling in these forest fragments. To achieve this goal, the foliar, litter and soils contents of nitrogen, carbon, and their stable isotopes, as well as phosphorus, and calcium contents will be determined in samples to be collected in 12 forest plots of 250 m2 each, in a preserved forest owned by Usina Coruripe, located in the State of Alagoas.