Does the Caatinga Dry-Forest Management Change the Litter Composition and Nutrient Stocks?

Abstract

Sustainable forest management (SFM) is a rational exploitation practice adopted in the Caatinga. This study aimed to evaluate the stock and the nutritional and organic composition of litter in Caatinga subjected to different forest management practices: shallow cutting (SC), selective thinning by minimum diameter (STMD), and selective thinning by species (STS), and using unmanaged Caatinga (control) as a reference, in dry and rainy seasons. There were a significant increase in total litter in STS and a decrease in stocks of STMD, shallow cutting and unmanaged forest. Forest management reduced leaves in the accumulated litter in both seasons and increased contribution from branches. The STS management promoted maintenance of the stock and nutritional and organic quality of the litter, bringing it closer to the condition of unmanaged natural forest in both climatic seasons. So, should be encouraged for a more sustainable management of the Brazilian phyto-physiognomy Caatinga.

Keywords:
Caatinga; Forest management; Accumulated litter; Nutrient cycling