Abstract The diversity of forest species is an intrinsic characteristic of the Amazon biome, with litter being the main responsible for the largest portion of nutrients returned to the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the annual production of burlap and to determine the rate of decomposition over one year, comparing the results in the different study environments. The study was developed in the municipality of Humaitá-AM. For the evaluation of the litter production, ten cone collectors were randomly installed in each study area. Each litter sample was placed separately in properly identified paper bags and taken to the laboratory and dried in a forced air circulation oven at 65 ° C. The litter decomposition rate was estimated by mass loss analysis using litter bags. Litter production with the highest annual average was 8,03 Mg ha-1 year -1 for the native forest environment, with no significant difference for the other study areas. Among the fractions of the litter that contributed the most to the leaf, reaching a higher average percentage in the year of 72,1% for the environment of reforestation with teak (Tectona grandis L.). The decomposition of litter occurred more rapidly (0.0025 g g-1 day) in the reforestation environment with genipap (Genipa americana L.), requiring 277,26 days to decompose half of the leaf material.

Resumo A diversidade de espécies florestais é uma característica intrínseca do bioma Amazônico, sendo a serapilheira a principal responsável pela maior parcela dos nutrientes devolvidos ao solo. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar a produção anual de serapilheira e determinar a velocidade de decomposição ao longo de um ano, comparando os resultados nos diferentes ambientes de estudo. O estudo foi desenvolvido no município de Humaitá-AM. Para a avaliação da produção de serapilheira, foram instalados de modo aleatório dez coletores cônicos em área de Floresta Nativa, área de Reflorestamento com Teca (Tectona grandis L), área de Reflorestamento com Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.) e ambiente de Reflorestamento considerado Misto, composto pelas espécies Mogno (Swietenia macrophylla King.), Andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.), Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), Teca (Tectona grandis L.) e Sumauma (Ceiba pentandra). Cada amostra de serapilheira foi colocada, separadamente, em sacos de papel devidamente identificados e levadas para laboratório e secas em estufa de circulação de ar forçado a 65°C. A estimativa da taxa de decomposição da serapilheira foi feita pela análise de perda de massa utilizando-se litter bags. A produção de serapilheira média anual foi de 8,03 Mg ha-1 ano-1 para o ambiente de floresta nativa, e não houve diferença significativa para as demais áreas de estudo. Entre as frações da serapilheira, a que mais contribuiu foi a foliar, atingindo maior média percentual no ano de 72,1% para o ambiente de reflorestamento com teca (Tectona grandis L.). A decomposição da serapilheira ocorreu de forma mais acelerada (0,0025 g g-1dia) no ambiente de reflorestamento com jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), sendo necessários 277,26 dias para que fosse decomposta metade do material foliar.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate soil attributes and root distribution in areas under forest conversion to cultivated environments. The study was carried out in four areas: forest, cupuaçu, guarana and annatto, located in the municipality of Canutama, state of Amazonas. Soils and volumetric rings were collected in the layers 0.00 – 0.10; 0.10 – 0.20; 0.20 – 0.30; 0.30 – 0.40; and 0.40 – 0.50 m for analyses of physical and chemical attributes and root distribution. Univariate statistical analyses were carried out, the means were compared with the Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) and Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.05 and < 0.01). The forest area and the cultivated environments present soil chemical limitations for agricultural production, whereas the physical attributes presented satisfactory values. The chemical attributes underwent major changes and degradations upon conversion to agriculture. Major changes were observed in the layers of 0.00 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m for the studied areas. Cupuaçu cultivation showed higher values of roots dry weight (RDW) and roots distribution (RD), with the highest values found in the 0.00 – 0.10 and 0.10 – 0.20 m layers.