Abstract
Agroforestry systems have been promoted as a solution to address trade-offs between environmental conservation efforts and the need for increased agricultural productivity on smallholder farms in Brazil. However, the impact of land use change from degraded pasture to agroforestry on soil properties remains unclear. The objectives of this research were to: (1) assess soil chemical, physical and biological properties across distinct land uses (degraded pasture, agroforestry and secondary forest); and (2) understand relationships between litter quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and key soil quality parameters in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Soils, macroinvertebrates and litter were collected in April and September of 2018 under five land uses, including: three types of agroforestry systems, a degraded pasture and a secondary forest in Sapucaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results showed that soil properties clearly separated the three agroforestry systems plots (AS1, AS2, AS3) from the forest and pasture plots. Moreover, litter quality and SOM likely influence multiple biological and physiochemical soil properties under agroforestry systems and secondary forest. Our findings suggest that agroforestry systems can help support soil biological, chemical and physical properties and that the litter quality may be an important driver of their effects and potential contributions to soil restoration in the region.
Highlights
Degradation of agricultural lands around the globe threatens food security and the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change [1]
Aggregate stability (MWD) in the rainy season was generally higher in the forest compared to the oStuhsteairnalbailnitdy 2u02s0e, s1,2,bxuFtOoRnPlEyERsiRgEnViIfiEWcantly higher than AS3 (Table 2)
Another factor contributing to the higher levels of soil fertility under agroforestry system is the high diversity of tree species and improved litter quality derived from these trees in the agroforestry system plots
Summary
Degradation of agricultural lands around the globe threatens food security and the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of climate change [1]. In addition to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, recent environmental legislation (law number 12.651/12) requires rural landowners to maintain a portion of their lands (20% cover for areas within the Atlantic Forest Biome) with perennial vegetation cover (legal reserve). In this new legislation, agroforestry systems are recognized as a means to help farmers meet this requirement, while providing multiple socio-economic benefits. Moraceae jack fruit fruit production planted Citrus sp. Rutaceae cravo lemon fruit production planted AS3.
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