Soil structural condition and its relationship with pastures under different conditions in the Simpson Valley (Humid western Patagonia, Chile)

A, Manuel Vial; E, Marco Sandoval

doi:10.4067/s0718-34292015000400005

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…Macroaggregates are structural units that participate in the regulation of nutrient cycling and the organic matter dynamics [101], which also depend on the carbon availability and the biological activity [48,102,103], leading to improved soil quality [104]. The presence of higher physical and root macroaggregates in pastures might be the result of macroinvertebrates, together with the dense root system of pastures, that through mechanical reinforcement, promote soil aggregation, binding the soil and releasing exudates that acts as soil binding agents [105][106][107]. The presence of the large number of grasses, related to a high abundance of rhizophagous organisms [23], such as Coleoptera larvae and Symphyla was evidenced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Quality Restoration during the Natural Succession of Abandoned Cattle Pastures in Deforested Landscapes in the Colombian Amazon

et al. 2021

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Successional processes in abandoned pastures in the Amazon region have been well-documented for the floristic component; however, soil succession has been poorly studied. This study assessed the physical, chemical and biological responses of soils in the Amazon region during the natural succession process in two main landscapes of the Colombian Amazon. Soil data on soil physico–chemical (bulk density, macroaggregates, pH and minerals) and biological (soil macrofauna) composition were evaluated along chronosequence with four successional stages: (i) degraded pastures, (ii) young (10–20-year-old), (iii) middle-age (25–40-year-old) and (iv) mature forests, in two different landscapes (hill and mountain). Individual soil variables and a synthetic indicator of soil quality (GISQ) were evaluated as tools for natural succession monitoring. The results corroborated the negative impact that cattle ranching has on Amazon soils. After 10 years of natural succession, the physico–chemical and biological soil components were widely restored. Less soil compaction and organic carbon occurred in older successional stages. Soil macrofauna richness and density increased along the chronosequence, with an evident association between the macrofauna composition and the macroaggregates in the soil. None of the individual soil properties or the GISQ indicator discriminated among natural succession stages; therefore, new soil quality indicators should be developed to monitor soil quality restoration in natural successions.

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