scholarly journals Contributions of organic matter and nutrients via leaf litter in an urban tropical dry forest fragment

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeiner Castellanos-Barliza ◽  
Juan Diego León-Peláez ◽  
Rosalba Armenta-Martínez ◽  
Willinton Barranco-Pérez ◽  
William Caicedo-Ruíz
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Litter Production ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
One Year ◽  
Degraded Ecosystems

The litterfall and decomposition represent the main transfer of organic matter and nutrients from the vegetation to the soil surface and determine positive trajectories in the process of rehabilitating and restoring degraded ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contributions of organic materials and nutrients through the characterization of fine litter in an urban dry forest fragment. Litter production was monitored for one year by collecting 29 traps (0.5 m2). To evaluate leaf nutrient resorption, green leaves were collected from 5-10 individuals that represented the dominant tree species. Litter-bags (20 x 20 cm, 2 mm pore) were used for six months to evaluate the decomposition of leaf litter. Annual fine litter production was found to be 8 574 kg ha-1, with the Cordia alba species contributing the most leaf litter (1 134 kg ha-1) and nutrients (N: 6.16; P: 0.21; Ca: 4.72; Mg: 0.47; K: 1.27 kg ha-1). Decomposition rates (k constant) followed the decreasing order: C. alba (k: 4.6) > Machaerium milleflorum (k: 3.5). M. milleflorum and Albizia niopoides presented a pattern of rapid N and P release in the first 30 days, with more than 80 % and 60 % released from M. milleflorum and C. alba, respectively, by the end of the experiment. The litterfall monitoring carried out in this urban dry forest fragment revealed some important aspects of the functioning of an ecosystem as seriously threatened as the tropical dry forest. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 571-585. Epub 2018 June 01. 

scholarly journals Reactivation of nutrient cycling in an urban tropical dry forest after abandonment of agricultural activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-365
Author(s):  
Juan D. León-Peláez ◽  
◽  
William Caicedo-Ruiz ◽  
Jeiner Castellanos-Barliza ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Mean Residence Time ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Leaf Litterfall ◽  
Passive Restoration ◽  
Standing Litter

Introduction: Standing leaf litter represent an essential source of organic matter and nutrients to dynamize biogeochemical processes at the ecosystem level. Objectives: To characterize the accumulation and decomposition of organic materials and flow of nutrients from standing litter in an urban dry tropical forest in a successional stage, after 10 years of abandonment of agricultural activities, and to determine the potential use of three species in future active restoration activities. Materials and methods: Standing litter samples were collected from a forest fragment in Santa Marta, Colombia, separating leaves, reproductive material, woody material and other residues. Additionally, leaves of three species of interest for ecological restoration (Albizia niopoides Spruce ex Benth., Cordia alba [Jacq.] Roem. & Schult. and Machaerium milleflorum Dugand G. A.) were separated and Ca, Mg, K, N and P concentrations were determined. Results and discussion: Total standing litter was 8.3 Mg∙ha-1 with a mean residence time of two years. The leaves represented 20% of the standing litter, with a mean residence time of 1.4 years. Based on the decomposition constant (kj = 0.73) and the rate of leaf litterfall, organic matter returns accounted for 3.4 Mg∙ha-1∙year-1. Leaf decomposition rate decreased in the following order C. alba > M. milleflorum > A. niopoides. P represented the greatest limitation with low release rates (0.1 to 1.2 kg∙ha-1∙year-1). Conclusions: The passive restoration strategy allowed reactivation of biogeochemical cycle via fine leaf litter. Cordia alba showed potential for inclusion in restoration activities, with lower values for leaf N/P ratio, and higher rates for leaf litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release.

scholarly journals Squamata reptiles of a fragment of tropical dry forest in northwestern Venezuela (Lake Maracaibo region)

Check List ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junior T. Larreal ◽  
Gilson A. Rivas ◽  
Carlos Portillo-Quintero ◽  
Tito R. Barros
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Maracaibo Basin ◽  
Lake Maracaibo

We present a commented taxonomic list of the reptiles found during herpetological surveys carried out in an isolated fragment of tropical dry forest located in the municipality of San Francisco, Zulia state, northwestern Venezuela between January-December 2011. We report a total of 24 species belonging to the order Squamata, distributed in 12 families and 21 genera. Colubridae is the most diverse family with six species, followed by Dipsadidae (four species), Boidae, Gymnophthalmidae, Phyllodactylidae and Teiidae with two species each, and finally Dactyloidae, Iguanidae, Elapidae, Gekkonidae, Sphaerodactylidae and Viperidae with a single species each. The species composition at this site matches what would be expected in a tropical dry forest in the region. Our study suggests that this isolated tropical dry forest fragment is the last refuge of the herpetofauna that once occupied much of the dry forests of the northern Maracaibo basin and should therefore be considered for conservation purposes.

scholarly journals Effect of fragmentation on the Costa Rican dry forest avifauna

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Barrantes ◽  
Diego Ocampo ◽  
José D. Ramírez-Fernández ◽  
Eric J. Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Species Occupancy ◽  
Avian Assemblages

Deforestation and changes in land use have reduced the tropical dry forest to isolated forest patches in northwestern Costa Rica. We examined the effect of patch area and length of the dry season on nestedness of the entire avian community, forest fragment assemblages, and species occupancy across fragments for the entire native avifauna, and for a subset of forest dependent species. Species richness was independent of both fragment area and distance between fragments. Similarity in bird community composition between patches was related to habitat structure; fragments with similar forest structure have more similar avian assemblages. Size of forest patches influenced nestedness of the bird community and species occupancy, but not nestedness of assemblages across patches in northwestern Costa Rican avifauna. Forest dependent species (species that require large tracts of mature forest) and assemblages of these species were nested within patches ordered by a gradient of seasonality, and only occupancy of species was nested by area of patches. Thus, forest patches with a shorter dry season include more forest dependent species.

scholarly journals COMPOSICIÓN VEGETAL, PREFERENCIAS ALIMENTICIAS Y ABUNDANCIA DE BIBLIDINAE (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) EN UN FRAGMENTO DE BOSQUE SECO TROPICAL EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DEL ATLÁNTICO, COLOMBIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Angélica VARGAS- ZAPATA ◽  
Carlos José BOOM- URUETA ◽  
Leidys Isabel SEÑA-RAMOS ◽  
Alba Lucia ECHEVERRY-IGLESIAS ◽  
Neis José MARTÍNEZ HERNÁNDEZ
Keyword(s):  
Woody Plants ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Determining Factor

<p>Se analizó la variación espacio-temporal de la abundancia de las mariposas de la subfamilia Biblidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) en un fragmento de Bs-T en la Reserva Campesina La Montaña (RCM), Atlántico, Colombia; desde enero hasta agosto de 2011. Se marcaron cuatro puntos dentro del área de estudio, donde se ubicaron trampas Van Someren–Rydon cebadas con calamar en descomposición, fruta fermentada y con una mezcla de los anteriores cebos. Adicionalmente, se realizó una caracterización de la vegetación por punto, para lo cual se tomaron datos de diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP), altura y tamaño de la copa para todas aquellas plantas leñosas con DAP mayor o igual a 2,5 cm. Se capturaron 76 individuos agrupados en seis especies y cuatro géneros; destacándose <em>Hamadryas februa</em> (Hübner) como la más dominante con 32 individuos. El mes de marzo presentó la mayor riqueza y abundancia (6 especies y 25 individuos) durantes las primeras lluvias en la zona. El punto 3 presentó los valores más altos de diversidad y abundancia de Biblidinae (5 especies y 37 individuos) y la mayor densidad de árboles (D= 0,28 individuos/m<sup>2</sup>). Se demuestra que la estructura de este grupo de mariposas presenta un patrón temporal y espacial en esta reserva. El análisis de componentes principales demostró que el área basal total (ABT) y la Densidad (D) de plantas leñosas, pueden considerarse como un factor determinante en la distribución y abundancia de las especies de la subfamilia Biblidinae en la RCM.</p><p align="center"><strong>Plant Composition, Feeding Preferences and Abundance of Biblidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in a Tropical Dry Forest Fragment in the Department of Atlántico, Colombia</strong></p><p>The abundance and spatio-temporal variation of butterflies of the Biblidinae subfamily (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in a fragment of Tropical dry forest at the Reserva Campesina La Montaña (RCM), Atlántico, Colombia; from January until August 2011, was analyzed. Within the study area four points were marked; Van Someren-Rydon traps were placed.in each point using rotten squid, fermented fruit and a mixture of both as bait. In addition, a characterization of the vegetation by point was performed, taking data of the diameter to the breast height (DBH), height and size of treetop of all woody plants with a DBH greater than or equal to 2.5 cm. In total 76 butterfly individuals grouped in six species and four genera were captured; being <em>Hamadryas februa</em> (Hübner) the most dominant with 32 individuals. The greatest richness and abundance was recorded in March (6 species and 25 individuals), during the first rains in the study area. The point 3 presented the highest values of diversity and abundance (five species and 37 individuals) of Biblidinae and the higher density of trees (D= 0,28 individuals/m2). The structure of this butterflies group presents a spatio-temporal pattern in this reserve. The principal components analysis showed that the total basal area (ABT) and the density (D) of woody plants, can be considered a determining factor in the distribution and abundance of species of the subfamily Biblidinae at the RCM.</p>

Leaf-litter production and soil organic matter dynamics along a nitrogen-availability gradient in Southern Wisconsin (U.S.A.)

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knute J. Nadelhoffer ◽  
John D. Aber ◽  
Jerry M. Melillo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Litter Production ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Mineral N

Annual net N mineralization in the 0–10 cm mineral soil zone of nine forest stands on silt–loam soils was measured using a series of insitu soil incubations from April 1980 through April 1981. Differences in soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics among sites were shown with net N mineralization ranging from 0.54 to 2.10 mg N mineralized•g SOM−1•year−1. This variation was not related to percent N in SOM. Net N mineralization varied seasonally with maximum rates in June and very low rates in winter. Nitrification rates were constant from May through September despite fluctuations in soil ammonium pools. Nitrification was greater than 50% of annual net N mineralization at all sites. N uptake by vegetation, as estimated by net N mineralization plus mineral N inputs via precipitation, with minor corrections for mineralization below the incubation depth and for mineral N losses to groundwater, ranged from 40.3 to 119.2 kg N•ha−1•year−1. Annual leaf and needle litter production ranged from 2.12 to 4.17 Mg•ha−1•year−1 and was strongly correlated with N uptake (r = 0.938, P < 0.01). N returned in leaf litter was also correlated with N uptake (r = 0.755, P < 0.05). Important feedbacks may exist between N availability and litter quality and quantity.

Inoculative release of anecic earthworms in a California orchard

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Werner
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Apple Scab ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Lumbricus Terrestris ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Aporrectodea Caliginosa ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Earthworm Populations

AbstractAnecic earthworms (e.g., nightcrawlers) create deep, vertical burrows and feed by dragging organic matter from the soil surface into the burrow, thereby incorporating organic matter. The incorporation of leaf litter in orchards may reduce inoculum levels of organisms that cause diseases such as apple scab. However, anecic earthworms are generally absent from agro-ecosystems in California, in part possibly because of low rainfall and seasonal drought. Anecic earthworms(Lumbricus terrestris)were introduced to an organic apple orchard in Watsonville, California, where the resident earthworm community included only the endogeic (subsurface-feeding) speciesAporrectodea caliginosaandMicroscolex dubius.WithL. terrestrispresent, incorporation of apple leaf litter increased from less than 28% to 79%. Yearly patterns of activity of resident earthworm species were unimodal, corresponding to the winter season of peak rainfall and low soil temperature. Earthworm populations were similar for organic and conventional treatments until the third year, when abundance and biomass of resident species were significantly greater in the organic plots.

scholarly journals 817 PB 234 EFFECTS OF SOIL AMENDMENT AND MULCHING WITH FRESH AND AGED OAK SAWDUST ON FORSYTHIA GROWTH AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 550d-550
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Starbuck
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Saw Dust ◽  
One Year ◽  
And Control

A 7.5 cm layer (.1 m3) of fresh or 8-year-old oak sawdust was applied to 1.7 m2 plots as a mulch or tilled in to a depth of 10 cm. Saw dust-treated and control plots received 0.45 or 227 g of nitrogen applied as ammonium nitrate. Five one-year-old `Lynwood Gold' forsythia plants were planted in each of the 90 plots in the experiment in September 1992 and were pruned in March 1993 to 20 cm above the soil surface. Plant height, soil pH and levels of Na, organic matter, P, K Ca, Mg, NO3 and NH3 in the soil were determined following the 1993 growing season. Fresh and aged saw dust reduced plant growth by 40 and 31% respectively when incorporated without supplemental nitrogen. Adding the high rate of nitrogen overcame the inhibition caused by aged but not fresh sawdust. Both materials significantly reduced soil nitrate content even when used as a mulch and reduced phosphorus when incorporated. Organic matter content of sawdust-amended plots averaged over twice that of control plots. Neither material had a significant influence on pH as determined one year after incorporation.

Resilience of soil nutrient availability and organic matter decomposition to hurricane impact in a tropical dry forest ecosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 426 ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra E. Gavito ◽  
Ana Lidia Sandoval-Pérez ◽  
Karem del Castillo ◽  
Daniel Cohen-Salgado ◽  
María Elena Colarte-Avilés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Organic Matter Decomposition ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Hurricane Impact
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