Geo-environments of the Abobral Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

The Pantanal basin is seasonally flooded, forming distinct landscape units or geo-environments. The Abobral Pantanal is one of the Pantanal sub-regions. This study aimed to report soil physic-chemical characteristics and evaluate soil-plant relations. We subdivided the landscape using hydromorphism, phytophysiognomies, relief, and soil conditions. In the Cordilheira geo-environment, a non-flooded area, the  occurrence of snail shells buried in the soil was noted, inducing occurrence of Chernozems. This geo-environment showed higher levels of organic Carbon and available Phosphorus. The Petrocalcium horizon at Cordilheira contributes to vegetation deciduousness and to stability against erosion processes. In the seasonally flooded geo-environments, Lagoa Intermitente, Campo com Cambará, and Corixo, Planosols occur generally, which supports the maintenance of a higher water table due to a planic B horizon with vertic characteristics.