Impact of long-term soil management on epigeic soil fauna and soil properties of an Inceptisol with high organic matter

📘 New article in the Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo (RBCS)

Impact of long-term soil management on epigeic soil fauna and soil properties of an Inceptisol with high organic matter

Authors: Neuro Hilton Wolschick, Ildegardis Bertol, Pâmela Niederauer Pompeo, Osmar Klauberg-Filho, Loriane Bernardi, and Bárbara Bagio

How does soil management affect the life that exists within it?

Researchers evaluated different soil use and management systems in the Planalto Catarinense region and found that the way soil is cultivated directly influences soil fauna diversity and soil quality.

Main findings: areas under intensive tillage, with no living or dead cover and under conventional cropping, showed the lowest abundance and richness of soil organisms, demonstrating the negative impact of degradation.

Conservation systems with crop rotation promoted greater abundance and diversity of soil fauna, contributing to improved soil health. Native pastures showed the highest species diversity, reinforcing the importance of conservation.

These results show that sustainable agricultural practices help maintain biodiversity, improve soil quality, and ensure essential ecosystem services for agricultural production and soil conservation.

Read the full article:https://doi.org/10.36783/18069657rbcs20240183