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The objective is to quantify the carbon content (C) of the reservoirs of plant biomass of different species in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Northeast Brazil. Ten species of high absolute density were selected. We sampled biomass from the leaf and wood compartments of each species to determine the C content. There was a difference in leaf C levels between species. The C content in leaves of species varied between 451.4 and 456.7 g kg-1 . The C content of the wood of species varied between 451.7 and 456.8 g kg-1 . The group formed by the families Burseraceae, Moraceae, and Sapotaceae showed higher average levels of C in leaves. The Burseraceae family had the highest average C content in the species' wood. The use of a pre-established carbon content (500 g kg-1 ) may generate inconsistent estimates higher than the real values for the species and families in an Atlantic Forest environment. We suggest that C stock estimates use specific levels for species and/or families, contributing to a more realistic estimate of C storage patterns in the shoot biomass of Atlantic Forest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems are important in the process of storing carbon from the atmosphere. Reforestation areas can contribute substantially in this process and reduce the extractive pressure over native forests. This study aimed to assess the aboveground live biomass (by non-destructive method - allometric equations) and dead biomass (litter layer standing stock) and carbon stock in these compartments at areas of reforestation of different ages (3, 5, and 7 years old) and at a Dense Ombrophylous Forest (control) area, located in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). We allocated 30 plots (10 x 10 m each) in the control area and 20 plots (20 x 30 m each) in the reforestation areas. Tree individuals were identified, and total height, circumference, and diameter at breast height were measured. The litter standing stock was collected by square gauge (1 x 1 m) in five replicates at each area. The values of aboveground biomass and stored carbon increased as the age of forest restoration plantings advanced. The allometric models used were adequate in the study. However, it is necessary to test the reliability of the data, using the destructive method in the reforested areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge related to the behavior of natural populations is basic for development of suitable technologies to enable the management and conservation of a species. This study aimed to investigate the population structure and spatial distribution, as well as estimate the biomass, carbon content and the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere by the equivalent biomass populations of Mimosa scabrella Benth. inserted in the secondary forest of different ages. Three sample units were allocated, with dimensions of 40x40 m, totaling 1.92 ha sampling area, which was calculated on the density values of individuals in regenerating categories (DBH < 5 cm) and adults (DBH ≥ 5 cm). The spatial distribution pattern was calculated by Morisita index for the different populations and the equivalent amount of CO2 the estimated total carbon. The structure and spatial distribution pattern of M. scabrella are compatible to the results recorded in other pioneer species. The populations of M. scabrella demonstrate potential to provide environmental services, especially in relation to carbon capture and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]