First record on enchytraeids in a Savanna Tall Woodland (Cerradão) and Upper Montane Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

Brazil is considered a megadiverse country, but the soil fauna is still very poorly known. The aim of this study was to report, for the first time, the abundance and genus composition of terrestrial enchytraeids (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) in Savanna Tall Woodland (Cerradão) and a pasture in Cerrado Biome and in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest and a grassland in Atlantic Forest Biome. The enchytraeid density in Pasture and Cerradao was 2,036 and 18,844 (204 and 2,094, on average) individuals per square meter, respectively. At the Atlantic forest and Grassland, density was 9,666 and 12,242 individuals per square meter (1,075 and 1,471 on average). About genus composition for the studied areas, Enchytraeus and Hemienchytraeus were found in the four ecosystems evaluated, while Tupidrilus and Fridericia were found only in Cerradão and Atlantic Forest, respectively. Achaeta was absent in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest, but dominant in pasture, while Guaranidrilus was absent in Pasture, but predominant in the other ecosystems.

Use of Trichoderma in the Production of Forest Seedlings.

Forest production has great relevance in the Brazilian economy, characterized by several production sectors, including the production of seedlings. With the focus on maximizing the capacity of survival, development, and adaptation of seedlings, Trichoderma is highlighted as a potentially useful genus of microorganisms for promoting growth and higher product quality. In this sense, this review aims to describe the main mechanisms of fungi action in forest seedlings' production. The different species of the genus Trichoderma have specific mechanisms of action, and the current scenario points to more advances in the number of species. The interaction process mediated by different mechanisms of action begins in the communication with plants, from the colonization process. After the interaction, chemical dialogues allow the plant to develop better because, from colonization, the forest seedlings can maximize height and increase shoot and root development. Fungi promote solubilization and availability of nutrients to seedlings, which show numerous benefits to the development. The use of beneficial microorganisms, such as fungi of the genus Trichoderma, has become a sustainable strategy to enhance seedling development, reducing the use of agrochemicals and industrial fertilizers.

Carbon Storage in Different Compartments in Eucalyptus Stands and Native Cerrado Vegetation.

This study evaluated Carbon (C) storage in different compartments in eucalyptus stands and native Cerrado vegetation. To determine C above ground, an inventory was carried out in the areas where diameter at breast height (DBH), diameter at base height (Db), and total tree height (H) were measured. In the stands, the rigorous cubage was made by the direct method, and in the native vegetation, it was determined by the indirect method through an allometric equation. Roots were collected by direct method using circular monoliths to a depth of 60 cm and determined by the volume of the cylinder. Samples were collected up to 100 cm deep to estimate C stock in the soil. All samples collected directly had C determined using the CHNS elemental analyzer. Gas samples were collected using a manually closed chamber, and the gas concentration was determined by gas chromatography. The results indicate high C storage in the studied areas > 183.99 Mg ha-1, could contribute to CO2 mitigation > 674.17 Mg ha-1. In addition to low emissions (<1 kg ha-1 yr-1) for the three evaluated areas, with no statistical difference in relation to the Global Warming Potential. Concerning the native cerrado vegetation conversion, the "4-year-old eucalyptus stand" seemed to restore the original soil carbon stocks in the first-meter depth, regardless of some losses that might have occurred right after establishment. Conversely, a significant loss of carbon in the soil was observed due to the alternative setting, where similar natural land was converted into agriculture, mostly soybean, and then, years later, turned into the "6-year-old eucalyptus stand" (28.43 Mg ha-1). Under this study, these mixed series of C baselines in landscape transitions have reflected on unlike C dynamics outcomes, whereas at the bottom line, total C stocks were higher in the younger forest (4-year-old stand). Therefore, our finding indicates that we should be thoughtful regarding upscaling carbon emissions and sequestration from small-scale measurements to regional scales.

Relationships between soil properties and species establishment in the restoration of mined soils in the Cerrado biome.

Restoring the ecosystems of the Cerrado biome is challenging considering the diversity of phytophysiognomies present in the biome, some of which are composed of species from different strata (herbaceous, shrubby, and arboreal), which increases the complexity of restructuring the floristic composition. Other factors was involved, such as soil quality, which directly influences the success of restoration, water storage, and nutrients, the financial costs, and a slow ecological process, due to the adverse circumstances found in the area. be restored. The strong anthropogenic interventions by mining processes reduce dramatically the physical and nutritional composition of the soil. We studied two restoration areas in Paracatu, Brazil, to examine their edaphic conditions six years after mining activities ceased and relate them to the status of the restoration process. In 2009, a Cerrado restoration were established in an area previously explored for gravel extraction. Plants were sampled and identified in 11 transects along the planting lines. The diameter base (DB) and total height (HT) were measured. The physical/chemical quality of the soil substrate was determined using a collection of samples in open trenches at four types of points: Cerrado (TC); dead plant pits (TM); seedling pits having living individuals of the most abundant species (TT); and those of the second-most abundant species (TE). Cecropia pachystachya Trécul and Tapirira guianensis Aubl. were most abundant and demonstrated the potential to thrive in areas degraded by mining having low mortality rates and growth at relatively DB and HT. The physical quality indicators in the gravel pits were not limiting, indicating that substrate preparation was efficient in this regard. The organic matter content in TM, TT, and TE was low in comparison to that of TC, and the chemical conditions in the TE pit substrates were similar to those in TM pits, suggesting C. pachystachya is a species with good plasticity, whereas T. guianensis is present in pits with higher levels of phosphorus.

Litter and soil biogeochemical parameters as indicators of sustainable logging in Central Amazonia.

One-fourth of Brazilian Amazonia is managed for timber production, but only a small portion of active logging sites follow sustainable forest management plans (SFMPs). Amazon forests without SFMPs are susceptible to deforestation because such plans integrate the use of forest products and conservation goals by allowing selective wood extraction following regulations aimed at reducing the long-term impact of logging. However, it remains uncertain whether reduced-impact selective logging typical of SFMPs (17-20 m3 ha-1 yr-1 of 38-70 species) changes forest regeneration, carbon (C) stocks, and nutrient cycling. Here, we tested the hypothesis that litter and soil biogeochemical parameters serve as indicators of sustainable logging as forest regeneration, C stocks, and C-to-nutrient ratios in soil and litter become progressively similar to those of primary forests as time elapses after logging. We used a chronosequence spanning nine years since logging to relate litter and soil (at 0-10, 10-30, 30-50 cm depth) C stocks and 12 and 15 biogeochemical parameters, respectively, as well as canopy cover and tree seedling density (10-150 cm tall) in upland evergreen Amazon forests. In one unlogged and four logged stands sampled three, five, seven, and nine years after logging, we compared 15 permanent plots (three replicated 0.5 ha plots per time-since-logging category). We found that five parameters explained >80% of the variation in soil and litter properties among logged and unlogged stands. Litter parameters were more sensitive to logging than soil parameters, as litter C stocks and C-to-nutrient ratios increased systematically after logging. Canopy cover decreased over time and was ~14% lower nine years after logging. Total seedling density did not change consistently over time but was ~54% higher seven years after logging. Our data suggest that the SFMP guidelines have served the purpose of maintaining soil quality and forest regeneration. Litter and soil parameters can be useful indicators of sustainable forest management in upland evergreen forests in Central Amazonia.