Decomposition of leaf litter in the Brazilian savanna on limestone and sandstone Neosols.

Litter decomposition in the soil is an important stage of the nutrient cycling process that interferes with functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Soil fertility and litter nutritional quality are fundamental factors that affect decomposition efficiency of plant residues. We evaluated decomposition in two areas of 'cerrado sensu stricto', each with a type of Neosol - limestone (eutrophic) and sandstone (dystrophic).