Reafforestation and nutrient reserves in the humid tropics.
Abstract
After burning tropical evergreen seasonal forests and tropical marsh forests, and replanting with Pinus caribbea, soil N decreased for a period of 4 years, but after 10 years N reserves regained their initial values. P reserves decreased, for 7 years, but never regained their original level. Increases in K, Ca and Mg resulting from burning were lost after 4 years. Reafforestation decreased nutrient reserves most in an area of steep slopes and high rainfall, where 74 % of the original reserves were lost in 6 years.