Litter balance in areas of Eucalyptus urograndis (Clone H13) in a Cerrado–Amazon transition of Mato Grosso state, Brazil

The growing demand for products of forest origin in the middle north region of Mato Grosso, Brazil has been increasing the production of the genus eucalyptus. This study aimed to assess the deposition and decomposition rates of litter at the central plot areas of Eucalyptus urograndis (Clone H13) areas of three, five, seven and nine years of age. In five and seven-year areas, the interfaces (borders) eucalyptus–crop and eucalyptus–native forest, and further, native forest remnant areas were assessed. Litter collectors with 1 m² area were installed and the deposited material was collected monthly. For quantifying the decomposition rates, collections were carried out at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 days after installing the decomposition bags. In the dry season, higher amounts of deposited litter were observed, with a greater representation of the leaf fraction. Bark fraction presents positive and negative correlations with wind speed and relative air humidity, respectively. The litter balance found indicates that even under a tropical climate, high deposition rates occur when compared to the litter decomposition of E. urograndis, allowing significant increases of litter in planted areas as the age increased.