The effect of spatial and temporal heterogeneity on superficial soil dynamic in Monte desert (Argentina).

NOÉ, L.; ABRIL, A.; VILLAGRA, P.E.

Mérida. Yucatán

Congreso; Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. The Ecology in an Era of Globalization.; 2006

Ecological Society of America

Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil resources is a common characteristic in desert environments due to different distribution of vegetacion and marked climatic variation. Much is known about nutrient content in fertility islands, however, few studies have analyzed soil dynamic factors responsible of fertility. The objective of this work was to analyze chemical (organic matter, total N, humic acids and nitrates) and biological variations (abundance of microbial functional groups and total heterotrophyc activity) in both, under and outside canopy of woody plants in the Nacunan Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina). Labil chemical parameters (nitrates, fulvic acids) showed spatial and temporal variations. Organic matter, humic acids and total N contents and microbial amount showed high temporal variation correlated with soil moisture. From a functional standpoint, these results seem to indicate that it would not exist real fertility islands, but undisturbed desert soils would show spatial homogeneity and marked temporal heterogeneity due to climatic variations. Our research about soil dinamic means an important contribution to the sustainable manage of desert areas.characteristic in desert environments due to different distribution of vegetacion and marked climatic variation. Much is known about nutrient content in fertility islands, however, few studies have analyzed soil dynamic factors responsible of fertility. The objective of this work was to analyze chemical (organic matter, total N, humic acids and nitrates) and biological variations (abundance of microbial functional groups and total heterotrophyc activity) in both, under and outside canopy of woody plants in the Nacunan Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina). Labil chemical parameters (nitrates, fulvic acids) showed spatial and temporal variations. Organic matter, humic acids and total N contents and microbial amount showed high temporal variation correlated with soil moisture. From a functional standpoint, these results seem to indicate that it would not exist real fertility islands, but undisturbed desert soils would show spatial homogeneity and marked temporal heterogeneity due to climatic variations. Our research about soil dinamic means an important contribution to the sustainable manage of desert areas.