SOIL CHEMICAL CHANGES AND RESEMBLANCES IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE RAINFOREST-SUGARCANE-PASTURELAND IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST BIOME

ABSTRACT This study evaluated soil chemical and isotopic changes in soils of a chronosequence rainforest-sugarcane-pasture in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. Soil samples were collected (0-20 cm) in areas of native Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, sugarcane plantation and pastures of Brachiaria decumbens. The soil analyses performed were: pH (water 1:2.5), P (Mehlich-I), (Al+3, H+Al, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2 and Na+), soil organic matter (SOM), N, organic carbon and δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes. The conversion of rainforest to sugarcane and pastures resulted in a reduction of the soil natural acidit...