INFLUENCE OF PRECIPITATING SYSTEMS ON LITTERFALL PRODUCTION IN AMAZON COAST MANGROVE

Abstract

Mangroves are ecosystems with significant environmental and socioeconomic relevance and knowledge of the ecological relationship between this ecosystem and the atmosphere is of fundamental importance for its preservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In this sense, this study aims to analyze the precipitating meteorological systems and their seasonal rainfall variation on the Amazon coast and their influence
on the variability of litterfall production in the mangrove forest. 3 plots were delimited with 12 collectors of 1 m2 litterfall in the experimental site of Cuiarana. The collections were performed monthly and were classified into leaf, woody, reproductive material and miscellaneous. Rainfall data from the Micrometeorological Tower and CPC MORPHing technique (CMORPH) were used. Two-way and one-way ANOVA (p < 0,05) and linear
regression analysis (p < 0,05) were used. The results indicate that the temporal variation of precipitation is modulated by different meteorological systems. In the production of litterfall there was significant difference between the monthly production values and between the fractions of litterfall. The total annual production of litterfall was 9.4 ± 0,06 Mg ha-1 year-1, where 67% was composed by the leaf fraction. The analyses of the
fraction Total leaf and leaf of the species L. racemosa showed significant correlation with precipitation (r2 = 0,36 and r2 = 0,72; p < 0,05), respectively. In view of the results, it is concluded that the production of mangrove litterfall has a direct relationship with the precipitating systems.