Charred microscopic particles found in superficial soils were quantified to determine the intensity of fires in three areas of the Atlantic Rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Charred particles were separated into three main size categories: < 25 µm, 26 to 50 µm and > 51 µm. The data suggest that all areas were subjected to fires in recent times. The savannas of Linhares were the most affected by fires in an order of magnitude up to 10 times that observed in São Paulo, however the Linhares forests showed a low level of fire impact. On the other hand, the two forest localities of São Paulo showed high frequency of fires. These results suggest that fire can be a determining factor in the physiognomy of the vegetation. However, there is no evidence that the presence of forest/savanna mosaics can be explained only by the incidence of anthropogenic fires.
Atlantic rainforest; charred particles; Lycopodium; paleofires
