Soils, landform and vegetation determine the geoenvironments at a conservation unit in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors

  • Priscyla Maria Silva Rodrigues Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Doutoranda em Botânica, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900,Viçosa, MG, Brasil
  • Carlos Ernesto Gonçalves Reynaud Schaefer Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Solos, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900,Viçosa, MG, Brasil
  • Guilherme Resende Corrêa Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Geografia, Campus Santa Mônica - Bloco 1H, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121 - Bairro Santa Mônica, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG
  • Prímula Viana Campos Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Mestranda em Botânica, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900,Viçosa, MG, Brasil
  • Andreza Viana Neri Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, 36570-900,Viçosa, MG, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2015.101.05

Abstract

To guide the planning and management of protected areas in a consistent and efficient manner, a solid knowledge of the various strata or geoenvironments is essential. In this study we identified, characterized and mapped the geoenvironmental units at the Caminho dos Gerais State Park, located in southeastern Brazil, to enhance the knowledge on the environmental diversity of this important nature reserve, helping the planning for its conservation. For the geoenvironmental stratification, all pedological, geomorphological and vegetacional aspects were considered. We described and collected 29 soil profiles according with the main vegetation types. Six plots (20 x 20 m2) were plotted for each vegetation type for sampling floristic the shrub-tree species. Seven different geoenvironments were identified within the State Park. Two geoenvironments represent the highest landscapes of Serra Geral. The dry forests at the footslopes are closely associated with high fertility soils, in contrast with all remaining upland geoenvironments; however, dry-forest soils adjacent to the escarpment are dystrophic and transitional, in terms of nutrients’ availability. The present study highlights the singularity and diversity of geoenvironments at Caminho dos Gerais State Park, helping to set up conservation policies and sound management plan.

Keywords: ecotone, soil-vegetation relationship, landscape.

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Published

2014-12-29

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2015): January - April

Section

Articles

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