A distribuição de plantas responde as condições edáficas em profundidades específicas

Abstract

There is an extensive literature on the plant distribution patterns in the tropical forests, mainly emphasizing the contribution of soil factors in determining the composition and distribution of species. This study evaluated the soil vertical stratification influence in the species distribution of Fabaceae and herbs. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0 - 10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-40 cm. The chemical and textural characteristics of the soil sample showed variation between areas and between the depth of classes. The variation in species composition of Fabaceae was independent of soil vertical stratification, with the most common species found throughout this gradient. For herbs, the variation in species composition was significantly depending on the soil depth in an intermediate particle size (10 - 20 cm).These results indicate that it cannot lead in consideration only an soil layer, because different plants groups respond to variations at different depths (especially how much the root system and size). We expect an future scenario for achieving a broad understanding of spatial distribution and plant communities beta diversity, if there is patterning on soil collection according to the plant group to be analyzed.