Estrutura, composição e diversidade em florestas alagáveis de várzea de maré e de igapó e suas relações com variáveis edáficas e o período de inundação no Amapá, Amazônia oriental, Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate ecological and phytosociological patterns in flooded forests of várzea and igapó under different inundation regimes and their relationships with environmental variables, especially soil, in eastern Amazonia, Amapá, Brazil. All live trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were documented. A total of 26 100 x 100 m 1-ha plots were inventoried, distributed in 13 hectares within each forest typology. Gradient analysis, using both principal components analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, were sufficient to explain associations of plots and the distribution of species. Above ground biomass was evaluated using an allometric model already tested in humid forests, which considers wood density (p), height (H), and basal area (BA). In the 26 hectares sampled a total of 10,575 trees pertaining to 343 species, 172 genera and 49 families were registered, with mean wood density of 406.73 ± 61.27 trees ha -1 and mean basal area of 27.2 ± 11.13 m 2 ha -1 . Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae and Rubiaceae were the most important in várzea, together accounting for 74.76% of the family importance value index (FIVI%). In igapó, Fabaceae, Lecythidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae and Arecaceae stand out, accounting for 57.05% of the family importance value index (FIVI%). There were significant differences among forest types in regards to the mean number of individuals, species, diversity and height. However, they did not significantly differ in mean equitability, diameter, dominance and basal area. In igapó, acidity, aluminum, inundation regime, potassium and sand influence the distribution of species, in decreasing order of significance. In várzea, the associations of species with environmental variables showed association with cation exchange capacity, base saturation, inundation regime, potassium and antagonistically with silt, calcium, phosphorous and pH. Estimated biomass for each ecosystem showed practically the same mean (198.56 Mg/ha -1 ). In igapó the largest amplitude was 326.83 Mg ha -1 and for várzea, 272,12 Mg ha -1 . The inundation regime had a mean of 61±25,69 days/year and 21±1,33 days/year in igapó and várzea respectively. In várzea, the plot with least biomass was positively related with the duration of inundation. In igapó, was negatively related with pH and the silt fraction. In general, biomass showed little relation with edaphic variables in both environments. In conclusion, while hydro- edaphic variables characterize differences in the environmental gradient, these are poorly reflected in the distribution of species, which basically respond to duration of inundation and soil acidity.