SILVA, Vinícius Nascimento da.
Abstract:
The Caatinga is the predominant biome in northeastern Brazil. Knowledge of
structural and functional components of this complex biome is still ongoing. The aim of this
study was to know two of the functional componente, production and decomposition of
litter, accumulation of organic lltter and the rate of decomposition in Caatinga área in the
municipality of Cajazeirinhas, PB, during the period August 2013 to July 2014. Were
demarcated in four transects which were performed all evaluations. For the production of
litter, thirty-síx were distributed collection boxes of Im x Im, with monthly collected
material deposited and separated into the following fractions: leaves, twigs, reproductive
structures and miscellaneous. Every three months was collected litter accumulated in the
soil, using a metal fume of 0,50 m x 0,50 m. The decomposition rate of litter was
determined monthly using (litter baús) each containing 20 g of previously dried litter. The
greater accumulation of litter during the study period was 3825,4 kg ha'l for the months
august 2014. Litter production during the study period was 1630.5 kg ha'l, in the fraction
predominated in leaves litter the ground with contributing 64,9%, then the fraction
branches (21.2%) , reproductive structures (10,1%) and miscellaneous (3,8%). The
highest deposition occurred at the beginning of the dry season, featuring seasonality. The
highest decomposition rate for the área was for C/ofon ó/achei/ans (54,32%), followed by
Z/zyphusjoaze/ro (45,86%). The highest rates of decomposition of the material packed in
bags of nylon occurred at the beginning of the exposure period, resulting in the
degradation of labile compounds less recalcltrant, and the process speed decreased over
time, due to the permanence of the most resistant of lignified and litter.
