Development of the Soil Macrofauna Community under Silvopastoral and Agrosilvicultural Systems in Amazonia

Development of the Soil Macrofauna Community under Silvopastoral and Agrosilvicultural Systems in Amazonia

Background

This study seeks to analyze the effect that different agroforestry systems have on the recolonization of macrofauna in the soil of former pasture lands.

Research Goals & Methods

This study takes place at an experimental research station on abandonded pastureland. Four treatments were tested: 1. a high-input silvopastoral system (ASPh), 2. a low-input silvopastoral system (ASPl), 3. a palm based system with four tree crop species (AS1) and 4. a high-diversity tree crop system with ten tree crop species (AS2). A spontaneous fallow served as the control.

Conclusions & Takeaways

While the density of microfauna was comparable across systems, the species richness was significantly higher in ASPh and ASPI systems suggesting that cover crop plays an important role in creating a favorable environment for soil fauna. 

 

Reference: 

Barros E, Neves A, Blanchart E, Fernandes ECM, Wandelli E, Lavelle P. Development of the soil macrofauna community under silvopastoral and agrosilvicultural systems in Amazonia. Pedobiologia. 2003;47:273–280. doi:10.1078/0031-4056-00190.