Biomass and nutrient dynamics associated with slash fires in neotropical dry forests

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1992 · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1939509· OSTI ID:6545006

Kauffman, J B; Cummings, D L ^[1]; Sanford, Jr, R L ^[2]; Salcedo, I H; Sampaio, E V.S.B. ^[3]

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1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (United States)
2. Univ. of Denver, CO (United States)
3. Universidade Federal do Pernambuco, Recife (Brazil)

Unprecedented rates of deforestation and biomass burning in tropical dry forests are dramatically influencing biogeochemical cycles, resulting in resource depletion, declines in biodiversity, and atmospheric pollution. We quantified the effects of deforestation and varying levels of slash-fire severity on nutrient losses and redistribution in a second-growth tropical dry forest ([open quotes]Caatinga[close quotes]) near Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil. Total aboveground biomass prior to burning was [approx]74 Mg/ha. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were highest in litter, leaves attached to slash, and fine wood debris (

• OSTI ID: 6545006
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 74:1; ISSN 0012-9658; ISSN ECOLAR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
095000* -- Biomass Fuels-- Environmental Aspects-- (1990-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540210 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ARID LANDS
BIOMASS
BRAZIL
CARBON CYCLE
CULTIVATION
DEFORESTATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EROSION
FIRES
LATIN AMERICA
LOSSES
MINERAL CYCLING
NITROGEN CYCLE
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
POLLUTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE DEPLETION
SOILS
SOUTH AMERICA
TROPICAL REGIONS