Soil Fertility as a Predictor of the Geospatial Distribution of Forest Species in Natural Regeneration in Brazil

Abstract

The relationship between soil attributes and spatial distribution variability of tree and shrub vegetation, specifically those in process of natural regeneration, can be an important tool for understanding the ecology of populations and communities while enabling the recommendation of species that can be used in restoration programs of degraded areas, as in this area from Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Thus, this work aimed to study soil chemical attributes as indicators of spatial distribution of forest species in natural regeneration with higher absolute density in the Lowlands Dense Ombrophilous Forest fragment in Pernambuco, Brazil. For soil chemical characterization, samples were collected at depths of 0.0-0.10 and 0.11-0.20 m. The natural regeneration species sampling was performed in 40 subunits of 25 m2, implemented in 40 sampling units of 250 m2. The individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) < 15 cm and height ≥ 1.0 m were measured. Thus, the ten natural regeneration species with the highest Absolute Density were defined. Geostatistical analysis was used to characterize the spatial variability of forest species and soil attributes. Tovomita mangle may be indicated for soils with different chemical characteristics and natural fertility; Brosimum rubescens and Inga capitata for acidic soils with low natural fertility, but with moderate levels of exchangeable Al; Talisia retusa should be recommended for alic soils and Caraipa densifolia for non-alic soils; and Anaxagorea dolichocarpa and Protium arachouchini for high natural fertility soils.