Amazonian Dark Earth Shapes the Understory Plant Community in a Bolivian Forest

Abstract

Abstract Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE) are the result of human modification of the Amazonian landscape since pre‐Columbian times.ADEare characterized by increased soil fertility compared to natural soils. In the Amazonian forest, soil fertility influences understory herb and fern species composition. However, little research has been done to evaluate the effect ofADEon the composition of the understory community. We evaluated the effects ofADEand soil in 36 plots (150 m × 4 m) established in a Bolivian moist forest (La Chonta). For each plot, we determined soil nutrients, and the composition, richness, and abundance of terrestrial fern, angiosperm herb, and understory palm species. We found that the presence ofADEcreated a gradient in soil nutrients andpHthat affected the understory species composition especially of ferns and palms. Additionally, the higher nutrient concentration and more neutral soilpHonADEsoils caused a decrease of ferns species richness. We therefore conclude that the current composition of the understory community in this particular Bolivian forest is a reflection of past human modifications of the soil.

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