Fabio Aprile

Carbon storage in equatorial forest soil-litter systems as a function of management intensity and type of vegetation cover.

Aims and Place: The increase in greenhouse gas emissions in recent decades, especially CO2, is attributed to the increasing burning of fossil fuels and the expansion of agricultural activities. Therefore, more information should be garnered about the mechanisms that control carbon storage, capture and sinks, while simultaneously seeking new management strategies to reduce atmospheric emissions. The main purpose of this research was to comparatively determine carbon storage in the soil and litter of three forest systems in the Western Amazon (Brazil): upland forest, shrublands and grasslands. Duration of Study: Dry and rainy periods between 2005 and 2012. Methodology: Diverse soil analysis including density, porosity, particle-size, total carbon (TC and TOC) were developed according to traditional methods. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) and Tukey’s test were applied to the results. Results and Conclusion: Total C storage C ranged from 23 to 26 Mg ha in the grasslands to 28 to 37 Mg ha in the shrublands. These findings confirm the importance of seasonality for both litter production and carbon production and storage in the different landscapes. The conditions of land use and occupation were predominant factors that explain the different concentrations of total carbon and organic carbon in the areas under study. Additional studies are needed to determine the most efficient management of these landscapes. Original Research Article Aprile et al.; BJECC, 5(3): 202-213, 2015; Article no.BJECC.2015.016 203

Application of Humus obtained from the Anaerobic Decomposition of Aquatic Plants in the Soil Fertilization of Traditional Cultures of the Amazon

This research aimed to develop a technique for the humus production from anaerobic decomposition of aquatic plants to improve soil fertility in traditional communities in the floodplain Amazon. Texture and grain size analysis, pH, total organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous, Na,K,Ca and Mg in the soils and humus were determined, and the productivity of the humus in suspended gardens was determined. A diagnosis of the riverside communities was performed. The results confirmed that the biomass produced by aquatic plants has high nutrients concentrations. The productivity of crop tested was 240 % when using a mixture of humus-soil 1:1, and with others ratios (1⁄2:1 and 1⁄4:1) the results were also satisfactory. This technique of fertilization may be a good alternative, cheep, sustainable and affordable for the traditional communities of the Amazon floodplain. Original Research Article Aprile et al.; IJPSS, Article no. IJPSS.2014.9.001 1032