Abstract

HERNANDEZ-VALENCIA, Ismael  and  LOPEZ-HERNANDEZ, Danilo. Pérdida de nutrimentos por la quema de la vegetación en una sabana de Trachypogon. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 2002, vol.50, n.3-4, pp.1013-1019. ISSN 0034-7744.

The losses of nutrients by fire were assesed in a Trachypogon savanna located in Calabozo, Venezuela. About 95% of the biomass, 97% of N, 61 % of P, 76% of K and 65% of Ca and Mg were transferred to the atmosphere. Ash deposition returned between 21-34% of Mg, Ca, K and P and 0.2% of N. Previous data indicated that precipitation and atmospheric fixation (in the case of N) could replace the rest of N, Ca, K and Mg transferted to the atmosphere. As a consequence of frequent burning (annual or biannual), the soil of the savanna showed lower organic matter and available P and K content when it is compared with a 32 year protected savanna.

Keywords : savanna; Trachypogon; burning; nutrient losses; ashes; soils; Venezuela.