Abstract
Soil macrofauna organisms are recognized as ecological indicators of soil management practices. Sugarcane monoculture can have negative impacts on soil, including biodiversity loss, which should be evaluated. In that sense, the aim of this was to determine the diversity macrofauna under sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) annual growth cycle (2012-2013) comparing two different natural vegetation areas (Sandbank and Atlantic forest). The study areas are located at Usina Santa Teresa in Goiana municipality, in Zona Mata Norte of the Pernambuco State (Brazil). Soil macrofauna samples were collected in January, April and August 2013. In order to collect soil macrofauna samples, 5 pitfall traps were placed in the field for 7 days. Descriptive statistics and biodiversity indices were used to carry out data analysis. The presence and biodiversity indices were affected by the hydrological regime. Sugarcane harvest with straw burning initially promoted soil macrofauna taxa better adapted to system drastic changes. Moreover, as sugarcane growth year went by, soil macrofauna biodiversity indices similar to those reported at natural vegetation areas (Sandbank and Atlantic Forest) were observed. Key words: Bioindicator, burnt sugarcane, functional groups, soil macrofauna.
Highlights
Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world (Cerri et al, 2011)
The study areas are located at Usina Santa Teresa in Goiana municipality, in Zona Mata Norte of the Pernambuco State (Brazil)
Since sugarcane management practices included straw burning, a lower biodiversity was expected in that area (Pasqualin et al, 2012; Benazzi et al, 2013)
Summary
Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world (Cerri et al, 2011). The main product of sugarcane is sucrose which is used as raw material in human food industries or is fermented to produce ethanol (Mello et al, 2014; Siqueira et al, 2015).
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