Reforestation of a Degraded Area with Eucalyptus and Sesbania: Microbial Activity and Chemical Soil Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Mining activities generally affect soil quality, degrading it and creating the need for consistent environmental recovery efforts. This study evaluates the influence of monospecific and mixed stands of Sesbania virgata (S) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E) on the chemical properties and microbial activity of the soil in a degraded area by clay extraction in the northern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four treatments (100S:100 % Sesbania, 100E: 00 % Eucalyptus, 50S:50E: 50 % Sesbania + 50 % Eucalyptus, and DASV: a degraded area with spontaneous vegetation) were established according to a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Samples were collected in the 0.00-0.10 m layer in the rainy season (March) and the dry season (September). The properties evaluated were pH in water; contents of P, K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Al 3+ , H+Al, N, and C; C/N ratio; total microbial activity (soil respiration -CO 2 emission); and total enzymatic activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis). The reforestation of degraded areas by clay mining with the species S. virgata and E. camaldulensis either in monospecific or mixed stands increased the nutrient contents, C levels, and total microbial activity in the soil. It was possible to separate the planting systems (100S, 100E, 50S:50E) and the DASV using principal component analysis. In both seasons, soil C contents, chemical properties, and biological variables improved in the planted areas, in contrast with the DASV. The revegetation of degraded areas by mining improved the chemical and biological properties of the soil, leading to higher soil quality in revegetated areas compared to degraded areas with natural vegetation.

Soil fauna communities and microbial activities response to litter and soil properties under degraded and restored forests of Hyrcania

“…Soils under natural forest with lower bulk density, higher water and nutrients content, and low C:N ratio, with appropriate soil pH has significantly increased the community of soil organisms (Kooch et al 2020). On the other hand, reforestation of the degraded forests with broadleaved species also increased soil organisms (De Oliveira Paulucio et al 2017), which is the case of ASP and AVP in this study.…”

A Multicriteria Evaluation of Sustainable Riparian Revegetation with Local Fruit Trees around a Reservoir of a Hydroelectric Power Plant in Central Brazil

“…The few initiatives to restore the forests have been limited to the planting of high-performance exotic trees. Reforestation with exotic tree species in Brazil is mainly with species of Eucalyptus and Pinus, widely used in South America [45][46][47]. Although they have fair resistance against environmental threats, insects, and microorganisms and provide satisfactory forest yield, they do not add value to ecosystems, mainly because they upset the balance between flora and fauna, favorably biased to the exotic trees [48].…”

Kesesuaian Lahan untuk Tanaman Kayu Putih sebagai Strategi Modifikasi Konservasi dan Kepentingan Nilai Tambah Ekonomi di Desa Cikembang, Kecamatan Kertasari, Kabupaten Bandung

“…Selanjutnya untuk konservasi lingkungan, modifikasi konservasi dapat sejalan dengan motivasi peningkatan ekonomi petani dengan pemanfaatan tanaman kayu putih, terutama untuk bahan baku industri minyak kayu putih dengan proses penyulingan (21) . Kegiatan penanaman, pemeliharaan seperti pemupukan, penghijauan kembali lahan baik pada tegakan monokultur maupun campuran meningkatkan unsur hara, kadar C dan total aktivitas mikroba dalam tanah (22) . Hal tersebut dilakukan untuk menjaga ketersediaan nutrisi tanaman kayu putih sesuai dengan kondisi konsentrasi bahan organik atas tanah.…”