Native multispecies and fast-growing forest root biomass increase C and N stocks in a reclaimed bauxite mining area

Abstract

This study is aimed at evaluating C and N stocks in fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) in an area of bauxite mining under recovery with tree species. We have analyzed the long-term recovery of C and N stocks of organic matter fractions from five types of forest cover (Eucalyptus, Anadenanthera peregrina, mixed plantation of 16 native species, a mined area without vegetation cover as a control site, and a natural forest cover as a reference site). The total organic C (TOC) and N (TN) stocks and also organic matter fractions, particulate organic matter (POM), mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM), microbial biomass (MB), and labile C (LC), were determined, as well as the C/N ratio and the carbon management index (CMI). Although the stocks of TOC and LC, CMI, and MB did not differ between the types of forest cover in the 0-60 cm layer, they were lower than the values in the native forest. Forest cover increases the stocks of TOC, LC, MB, and CMI in the area of bauxite mining compared to the control site. In addition, we found that the TOC C and TN stocks and also SOM fractions (LC, C-MAOM, C-POM, N-MAOM, and N-POM) are positively correlated (r ≥ 0.71 for all cases) with volume of roots larger than 2 mm. Therefore, Eucalyptus, A. peregrina, and a mixed of 16 native trees contribute for restoring stocks of soil C and N following bauxite mining in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Keywords: Carbon management index; Forest recovery; Fractionation of organic matter; Roots; Soil reclamation.