Biomass and Nutrient Content in Two Successional Stages of Tropical Wet Forest in Uxpanapa, Mexico

Increase in biomass and variations in plant and soil nutrient content with tropical forest succession were investigated in the Uxpanapa region of Veracruz, Mexico. Two successional stages were studied; a ten-month-old Acahual with a biomass of 530 g/m2 and a seven-year-old acahual with a biomass of 5268 g/m2. Significant variations in nutrient concentration (mg/kg) and content (g/m2) were detected between species, compartments, and successional stages. Results indicate that nutrients are immobilized in woody biomass with the advance of secondary succession, and although nutrient contents are greater in older successional stages, younger sites can have higher nutrient concentrations per unit biomass. Total soil nutrient content was higher in the older acahual than in the younger one indicating the restoration of soil fertility along the successional sequence studied.