Carbon and nitrogen stock and fluxes in coastal Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil: potential impacts of climate change on biogeochemical functioning

Brazilian Journal of Biology

Dm Villela²  Ea De Mattos¹  As Pinto¹  Sa Vieira¹  La Martinelli¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia Laboratório de Ciências AmbientaisCampos dos Goytacazes RJ ,Brazil

关键词: Atlantic Forest;    biogeochemistry;    carbon;    climatic changes;    nitrogen;    topography;    biogeoquímica;    carbono;    Mata Atlântica;    mudanças climáticas;    nitrogênio;    topografia;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842012000400003

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most important biomes of Brazil. Originally covering approximately 1.5 million of km², today this area has been reduced to 12% of its original size. Climate changes may alter the structure and the functioning of this tropical forest. Here we explore how increases in temperature and changes in precipitation distribution could affect dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in coastal Atlantic Forest of the southeast region of Brazil The main conclusion of this article is that the coastal Atlantic Forest has high stocks of carbon and nitrogen above ground, and especially, below ground. An increase in temperature may transform these forests from important carbon sinks to carbon sources by increasing loss of carbon and nitrogen to the atmosphere. However, this conclusion should be viewed with caution because it is based on limited information. Therefore, more studies are urgently needed to enable us to make more accurate predictions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License