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Effects of soils and topography on the distribution of tree species in a tropical riverine forest in south-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Ary T. Oliveira-Filho ,
Enivanis A. Vilela ,
Douglas A. Carvalho  and
Manuel L. Gavilanes
Ary T. Oliveira-Filho
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras (ESAL), 37200–000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
Enivanis A. Vilela
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras (ESAL), 37200–000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
Douglas A. Carvalho
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras (ESAL), 37200–000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
Manuel L. Gavilanes
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras (ESAL), 37200–000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
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Abstract

The relationships between soil properties, topography and tree species distribution were analysed in a tropical riverine forest at the margins of the Rio Grande, in Bom Sucesso, state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. The forest was sampled by three 0.18 ha plots, with each plot made up of eight contiguous 15 m X 15 m quadrats, four of which were placed at the river margin and the remaining four in the forest interior. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the species' density distribution was significantly correlated with some soil chemical characteristics and topographical features. The soils of the three sample plots showed statistically significant differences for the levels of Ca, Mg, K and pH, with the fertility (expressed by the cation exchange capacity) increasing from Plot I to Plot III. These variations were mainly explained by the first canonical axis while the second was strongly correlated with topographical variables, separating the quadrats into two groups: those of the higher and steeper sites from those of the lower sites. The only soil property that was significantly different in lower and upper sites was the concentration of phosphorus. No significant difference in tree species distribution was found between river margin and interior quadrats, certainly because this forest sector lies on the outer side of a curve of the river where erosion is currently building high and steep river banks and forcing the forest to retreat. A tentative ecological classification of the 30 most abundant species according to their habitat preference in terms of soil fertility and topographical sites, and to their growth strategy in the forest dynamics, is presented. It is suggested that these factors play an important role in promoting the coexistence of tree species in this type of forest.

Resumo

As relaçōes entre características do solo, topografia e distribuiçāo de espécies arbóreas foram analisadas em um trecho de floresta ripária nas margens do Rio Grande, em Bom Sucesso, sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A floresta foi amostrada por três blocos de oito parcelas contiguas com 15 m x 15 m, quatro das quais situadas na margem do no e as demais no interior da floresta. Uma análise de correspondência canônica indicou que a distribuiçāo da densidade das espécies estava significativamente correlacionada com certas propriedades químicas do solo e com a topografia. Os solos dos três blocos mostraram diferenças significativas, nos níveis de Ca, Mg, K e pH, com a fertilidade (expressa pela capacidade de troca catiônica) crescendo do Bloco I para o Bloco III. Estas variaçōes foram explicadas principalmente pelo primeiro eixo de ordenaçāo, enquanto o segundo eixo expressou principalmente as variáveis topográficas, discriminando as parcelas em dois grupos: sítios mais altos e inclinados e sitios mais baixos. A única caracteristíca dos solos que mostrou-se significativamente diferente nos sítios altos e baixos foi a concentraçāo de fósforo. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada entre parcelas da margem e do interior, certamente porque este trecho de floresta esta situado no lado externo de uma curva do rio onde a erosāo por solapamento está presentemente construindo margens inclinadas e forçando o recuo da floresta. É apresentada uma tentativa de classificaçāo ecológica das 30 espécies mais abundantes de acordo com sua preferência por habitats em termos de fertilidade dos solos e sítios topográficos e de acordo com sua estratégia de crescimento na dinâmica da floresta. Sugere-se que estes fatores desempenham um importante papel em promover a coexistencia das espécies de árvores neste tipo de floresta.

Keywords

tropical riverine forestsoil-vegetation relationshipstopography-vegetation relationshipsordinationcanonical correspondence analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , November 1994 , pp. 483 - 508
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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