RELATIONSHIP AMONG LITTER ACCUMULATION PH YTOSOCIOLOGICAL AND PEDOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN AREAS OF SECONDARY SUCCESSION WITH MINOSA-SCABRELLA BENTHAM IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF CURITIBA, PARANA, BRAZIL

This paper presents the characterization and analysis of vegetation st ructure, soils and litter accumulation in four areas dominated by brac atinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham), a native species of southern Brazil used for the production of firewood. The species forms one single can opy, as it grows in early successional stages of Mixed Ombrofilous For ests with Araucaria angustifolia. The areas were chosen based on their different geological origins. The undegrowth was sampled in order to generate data on density, frequency, dominance, cover and importance v alues, diversity and similarity indexes. The interactions among litter quantity and nutrient storage, soil chemical properties and vegetatio n structure are discussed.