ENSO impacts on litter stocks and water holding capacity in secondary forests in eastern Amazonia

• Published in: Journal of forestry research Vol. 35; no. 1; p. 8
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Julia Isabella de Matos, Martins, Walmer Bruno Rocha, de Oliveira, Victor Pereira, Wanzerley, Myriam Suelen da Silva, dos Santos Júnior, Hélio Brito, Oliveira, Francisco de Assis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.12.2024; Springer Nature B.V; Federal Rural University of Amazonia,Tv.Pau-Amarelo,Capit?o Po?o,Pará 68650-000,Brazil%National Institute of Amazonia Research,Av.Constela??o Cruzeiro do Sul,Manaus,Amazonas 69060-062,Brazil%Federal Rural University of Amazonia,Av.Presidente Tancredo Neves,2501,Belém,Pará 66077-530,Brazil; Federal Rural University of Amazonia,Av.Presidente Tancredo Neves,2501,Belém,Pará 66077-530,Brazil%Graduate Program in Forestry Sciences,Av.Presidente Tancredo Neves,2501,Belém,Pará 66077-530,Brazil; Graduate Program in Forestry Sciences,Av.Presidente Tancredo Neves,2501,Belém,Pará 66077-530,Brazil
• Subjects: Amazonia; Biodiversity; Biogeochemical cycles; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Climate change; Climate effects; Ecosystem services; ecosystems; El Nino; Environmental impact; Forestry; Forests; humidity; La Nina; Life Sciences; Litter; Maintenance; Original Paper; rain; Rainfall; Rainy season; Southern Oscillation; temperature; Temperature requirements; wet season; Wind speed; Amazonia; Climate change; Succession ecosystem; Biogeochemical cycle; Amazonia biodiversity; Seasonality
• ISSN: 1007-662X; 1993-0607
• DOI: 10.1007/s11676-023-01665-8

Among the impacts of climate change, there is the intensification of phenomena such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) responsible for El Niño and La Niña . However, understanding their effects on the functional processes of forests is limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of ENSO on litter stock and water holding capacity (WHC) in a successional forest in eastern Amazonia. Evaluations occurred in periods with the most rainfall in El Niño (2019) and least in La Niña (2021) years. Twelve permanent plots were used to sample litter. ENSO effects were evident for WHC, higher during El Niño . However, this influence was not clear for litter, as only in the rainy season effects were found. There was a positive correlation of WHC with precipitation and humidity, while litter stocks were negatively correlated with temperature and wind speed. Although the subject of this study requires long-term assessments, preliminary results suggests that, depending on the intensity of ENSO, forest functional processes can be strongly impacted and altered. The conclusion reinforces warnings by the scientific community about the impacts of climate change on the maintenance of litter stocks, decomposition and, consequently, the biogeochemical cycle and essential ecosystem services for the maintenance of Amazonia biodiversity. The need to develop long-term research to understand the effects of climatic change on litter stocks and water holding capacity is highlighted, especially in Amazonia.