DOMINANT SPECIES IN LITTER DEPOSITION IN A SEASONAL DECIDUOUS FOREST FRAGMENT IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE

Abstract

This study had as objective to evaluate litter total deposition and litter from main species from Seasonal Deciduous Forest, in Itaara, RS. Thirty circular metal collectors were allocated in six plots. The litter was collected monthly, from January 2006 to December 2007. The litter was separated in leaves, thin branches (diameter < 1.0 cm) and miscellany (flowers, fruits, seeds and non identified plants). The leaves were separated considering the most representative species in the forest and the others were classified as “others”. The average annual litter deposition was 5.85 Mg ha-1 year-1, composed 63.2% of leaves, 19.6% of miscellany and 17.1% of thin branches. Parapiptadenia rigida, Ocotea pulchella and Matayba elaeagnoides were responsible for about 30% from total litter deposition. The leaves deposition of Lithraea molleoides, Cupania vernalis, Nectandra megapotamica and Matayba elaeagnoides increased significantly when rainfall increased and Parapiptadenia rigida increased when the air temperature decreased.

Keywords

• espécies nativas
• material orgânico
• sustentabilidade florestal