Soil Attributes Related to Natural Succession in a Permanent Preservation Area– A Study for Brazilian Atlantic Forests

Abstract

The study of physical and chemical characteristics of associated to different vegetation cover is very important for understanding how the soil can influence the behavior of the forest.  Aims: This study aimed to relate soil attributes under pine cultivation and natural regeneration of vegetation in permanent preservation areas (PPA). Methodology: For this purpose, a regenerated PPA (RA) and a non-regenerated PPA (NRA) had their vegetation and seed bank characterized, respectively. In different soil depths, chemical and physical attributes of the soil were analyzed. Conclusion: Ca content and soil density (SD) were variables that can be best discriminated soils of both areas. High soil density (SD), poor soil drainage and lack of propagules of woody species determined the establishment of the herbaceous vegetation in the RA. Lower SD and better soil drainage allowed the establishment of arboreal and shrub species of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in the RA.