Litterfall, litter layer and leaf decomposition in Eucalyptus stands on Cerrado soils

The success of Eucalypt cultivation in Brazil was the result of decades of research, improvement of cultivation technologies, along with favorable edaphoclimatic properties. Nowadays, Eucalypt plantations are the main source of wood in the country. However, there are persisting doubts about the impacts on hydric, chemical and biological patters on the soil by this monoculture forest. For this reason, the understanding of the nutrient biogeochemical cycle linked to the litter dynamics contributes to elucidate the changes occurring in the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. Thus, this work evaluated litterfall, litter layer and leaf decomposition in Eucalypt plantation 60 months-age in the Cerrado area, Distrito Federal. 360 days after experiment initiation, the remaining mass of leaves corresponded to 68.72%, indicating a highly recalcitrant litter. It was concluded that there is an intense production and accumulation of plant material, which undergoes decomposition at a slow rate. This longer time of permanence of litter on the ground provides a favorable niche for edaphic fauna, protecting the superficial layer of the soil by reducing the impact of the kinetic energy of raindrops and allowing for improvement in water infiltration and, consequently, maintenance of the soil hydric capacity.