Article

Leliane R.D. Oliveira, MSc., Departamento de Biologia Geral, Programa de Pós Graduação em Botânica Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4708-1488; e-mail: duartelrs@gmail.com
Leidivan A. Frazão, PhD, Professor, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6848-9007; e-mail: leidivan.frazao@gmail.com
Sabrina C.O. Silva, MSc., PhD Student, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3212-265X; e-mail: sabrinacelieoliveiraesilva@gmail.com
Walter S. de Araújo, PhD, Professor, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0157-6151; e-mail: walterbioaraujo@gmail.com
Yule R.F. Nunes, PhD, Professor, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3328-7506; e-mail: yule.nunes@unimontes.br
Valquíria M. Fernandes, Grad., Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7977-2905; e-mail: valquiriafernandes121@gmail.com
Maria D.M. Veloso, PhD, Professor, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil); iD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2692-0249; e-mail: dora.veloso@unimontes.br

Oliveira L.R.D., Frazão L.A., Silva S.C.O., Araújo W.S., Nunes Y.R.F., Fernandes V.M., Veloso M.D.M. 2024. Nutrient cycling and soil quality in threatened veredas in two Protected Areas of the Brazilian cerrado. Nature Conservation Research 9(3): 34–46. https://dx.doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2024.018

Veredas are humid environments of significant importance for the Brazilian Cerrado. Understanding soil quality and ecological processes between the soil and vegetation in veredas can provide insights into ecosystem dynamics. This study was aimed to assess litter deposition and decomposition, as well as soil quality, including chemical, physical, and microbiological attributes, in two threatened veredas at various stages of conservation in Brazil. The research was conducted in Almescla (a preserved vereda) within the Environmental Protection Area of the River Pandeiros, and Peruaçu (a degraded vereda) located at the Veredas do Peruaçu State Park. Litter deposition was measured using collectors, and decomposition was assessed with litter bags. Soil granulometry, carbon and nutrient contents, and soil microbial biomass were also evaluated to a depth of 20 cm. The litter production was higher in Peruaçu, with the leaf fraction accounting for more than 70% of the total in both studied areas. The decomposition constant (kc) was higher in Almescla vereda. Nutrient concentrations followed a decreasing order of Ca > N > K > Mg > S > P in both areas. Peruaçu vereda exhibited higher levels of clay, available P, and Ca. Microbial carbon, total organic carbon, microbial quotient, and carbon stock were higher in Almescla, whereas the metabolic quotient was higher in Peruaçu. Our results suggest that the degradation of vereda ecosystems may lead to changes in nutrient cycling, with reduced litter deposition and decreased carbon storage.

carbon stock, litter decomposition, litter production, nutrient return, soil fertility, soil microorganisms

Received: 16.04.2024. Revised: 05.05.2024. Accepted: 29.06.2024.

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