CARBON AND NITROGEN SEQUESTRATION IN SOILS UNDER DIFFERENT TROPICAL LEGUME TREE SPECIES

Resumo

This study aimed to investigate the effects of tropical legume tree species on soil C and N storage after pasture conversion. We evaluated soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (STN), and the natural abundance of 13C in the soil profile up to 100 cm beneath Plathymenia reticulata, Hymenaea courbaril, and Centrolobium tomentosum 27-year-old stands. SOC was higher for P.reticulata up to 1m depth, but STN was similar across species. Most of the SOC originated from the trees rather than the former pasture, except beneath C.tomentosum. Specific-species traits mediated effects appear to shape SOC and STN pools and transformations.