Litter decomposition in primary forest and adjacent fire-disturbed forests in the Gran Sabana,southern Venezuela |
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Authors: | Noemi Chacón Nelda Dezzeo |
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Affiliation: | (1) Centro de Ecología, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apdo. 21.827, Caracas, 1020-A, Venezuela |
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Abstract: | Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamic were studied in tall primary forest (TF) and in adjacent slightly fire-affected (MF) and strongly fire-affected (LF) forests of the Gran Sabana, southern Venezuela. The aim of the study was to compare the mass and nutrient loss of litter in undisturbed forest and adjacent fire-disturbed forests growing under the same soil conditions. The results showed no significant differences in the dry-mass reduction among TF, MF, and LF after 1-year of decomposition. At the end of the decomposition period, the mass loss was 31% in TF, 24% in MF, and 25% in LF. With few exceptions, the initial nutrient content of the litter did not show significant differences among the studied forests. The initial litter was poor in nutrients, especially in P, with C/N ratio extremely high, particularly in LF. Both residual P content and C/N ratio were the most effective predictors of dry-mass loss. The general trend in the three studied forests was net N and to less extend P immobilization and release of K, Mg, and Ca. We concluded that during a 1-year period, the decomposition process was similar in undisturbed and adjacent fire-disturbed forests in the Gran Sabana and that the low litter decomposition seems to be mainly controlled by the low chemical quality of the decomposing litter. |
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Keywords: | Fire disturbance Litter decomposition Tropical forests Weight and nutrient loss |
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