Abstract This study aimed to assess soil chemical attributes, organic matter fractions and carbon stocks of forest in three different regeneration stages in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe. The study was conducted in three areas: open white sands, intermediate white sands, and closed white sands, with a history of differentiated degradation. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth for chemical characterization and for fractionation of soil organic matter and C stock. The open white sands obtained the best results regarding levels of macronutrients, total organic carbon, and total soil nitrogen, as well as higher carbon/nitrogen ratio compared with intermediate white sands and closed white sands, with such effects being attributed to recent exposure to fire. Carbon concentrations in humic fractions of organic matter were little influenced by different vegetation in regeneration, except the carbon fraction of humic acid, which is more sensitive to different management and soil usage.

RESUMO A serapilheira é uma das principais vias de retorno de nutrientes no sistema planta-solo-planta e sua determinação permite analisar a reestruturação de ambientes florestais antropizados. O conhecimento da produção da serapilheira é fundamental para determinar o potencial de regeneração de uma área por meio do aporte e ciclagem dos nutrientes. Objetivou-se neste estudo quantificar a produção de serapilheira e o aporte de carbono e dos nutrientes da fração foliar em áreas de ocorrência de Neossolos Quartzarênicos, com vegetação em diferentes estágios de regeneração, no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, em Sergipe. Em cada uma das áreas de Areias Brancas Abertas (ABA), Areias Brancas Intermediárias (ABI) e Areias Brancas Fechadas (ABF) instalaram-se coletores nos quais a serapilheira foi coletada mensalmente, de janeiro a dezembro de 2011. Em subamostras da serapilheira foram determinadas as quantidades de carbono (C), nitrogênio (N) e fósforo (P). Com a ação do fogo nas áreas de Areias Brancas do Parque da Serra de Itabaiana, ficou evidente que o mesmo altera o estado de equilíbrio dinâmico alcançado pelo ecossistema, logo, as condições nutricionais do solo são modificadas. Os acúmulos de C, N e P não apresentaram variação sazonal significativa, de acordo com a produção da serapilheira em cada área estudada, sendo que a área ABF proporcionou os maiores acúmulos destes elementos ao longo do período de avaliação.

ABSTRACT Litter is a major route of return of nutrients in the system plant-soil -plant and its determination allows to analyze the restructuring of anthropogenic forest environments. Knowledge of litter production is a critical in determining the potential for regeneration of an area through the intake and nutrient cycling. This study aimed to quantify the litter production and the carbon contribution and leaf fraction nutrients in areas of occurrence of Quartzipsamments with vegetation at different stages of regeneration in National Park Serra de Itabaiana in Sergipe, state. In each of the areas of Areia Branca Aberta (ABA), Areia Branca Intermediaria (ABI) and Areia Branca Fechada (ABF), settled collectors where the litter was collected monthly from January to December 2011. In the litter subsamples amounts of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were determined. Along with the action of fire in the areas of Areias Brancas of Serra de Itabaiana Park, it became clear that it changes the state of dynamic equilibrium achieved by the ecosystem, so the nutritional soil conditions are modified. The accumulation of C, N and P showed no significant seasonal variation according to the production of litter in each area studied, and the ABF area provided the largest accumulations of these elements throughout the evaluation period.