Nutrient balance in tropical forest allows an evaluation of eventual differences due to management practices and conclusions on forest sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrient concentration in native species and quantify biomass production and C and nutrient balance in tropical montane Atlantic Forest fragments (Dense Montane Ombrophile Forest) in the North of Rio de Janeiro State, from May 1999 to April 2001. Two sites were selected in the State Park of Desengano, at 900 and 600 m asl. The soil of both forest fragments was classified as Dystrophic Haplic Cambissol. The biomass production (above ground + accumulated litter) was 166.8 Mg ha-1. Consequently, the C accumulation was 67.2 Mg ha-1. The mean N, P, K, Ca and Mg pools were 1,152, 44.4, 276.5, 603.5 and 127.9 kg ha-1, respectively. However, at each forest site, the species differed in nutrient pools. The negative balance {soil - (above ground + litter)} of P, K and Ca indicated that these elements were the most limiting to the growth of montane forest fragments at the study sites.
nutrient balance; forest fragment; forest soil
