FERREIRA, C. D.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/7018848134050014; FERREIRA, Cheila Deisy.
Resumen:
In any forest ecosystem there is a strong interaction between vegetation and soil, which is
expressed in the organic matter input and output cyclical process. The cycling of nutrients
through litter is considered the most important means of transfer of essential elements of the
vegetation to the ground. The present study aimed to estimate the production, accumulation and
decomposition rate of litter in the Conservation Unit, in the semi-arid of Paraiba. To evaluate
the litterfall we used 20 l.Om x 1.0 m, with bottom of nylon mesh, and the collections were
done monthly. The litter was collected in separate ffactions leaves, branches, reproductive
material, and miscellaneous. To quantify the stock of accumulated litter we used metal frame
with dimensions of 0.5m x 0.5 m, which was launched at random. The decomposition rate of
litter was estimated by annual litterfall and annual average accumulated litter. We also
calculated the average time of renovation estimated by 1 / K and the time required for
decomposition of 50% and 95% of the litter. The experimental design used for analysis of the
deposition of the litter was in randomized blocks with 20 repetitions with a factorial
arrangement of treatments in 15 x 3, and comparison of means by Tukey test. The total
deposition of litter in three periods during the study was 3275.20 kg ha-1, the fraction
contributing 72.9% leaf, twig with 14.6%, 12.3% with reproductive material and Miscellaneous
with 0 8%. The decomposition coefficient obtained was 0.58. We conclude, therefore, that in all
periods studied, the leaf fraction formed the highest percentage in the litter. Litterfall in the
caatinga followed the order: leaf> branch> reproductive material> miscellaneous. The
decomposition of litter in the caatinga is slower than in rainforest.