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

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · 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), Vol. 74:1; ISSN 0012-9658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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