Affiliation:
1. Department of Soils and Natural Resources Santa Catarina State University Lages Santa Catarina 88520‐000 Brazil
2. Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company Santa Catarina State Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Lages Santa Catarina 88502‐970 Brazil
3. College of Agronomy Federal Institute of Paraná Palmas Paraná 88555‐000 Brazil
4. Department of Animal Science Santa Catarina State University (UDESC Oeste) Chapecó Santa Catarina 89815‐630 Brazil
Abstract
AbstractThe conversion of natural grasslands to cultivated pastures can have a significant impact on the composition and structure of soil macro‐ and mesofauna groups, compromising the resilience of these organisms and the ecosystem services they provide. We studied the responses of these groups to increasing levels of soil disturbance across a gradient of four land management practices: Natural grassland (NG), Improved‐natural grassland (IG), Perennial‐cultivated pasture (PP), and Annual‐cultivated pasture (AP). The NG area had a higher abundance of macrofauna, greater dominance of certain groups, particularly Isoptera, and a lower abundance of mesofauna. On the other hand, the IG area had a higher abundance and diversity of macro‐ and mesofauna, with a lower dominance of specific groups. The PP area had a higher abundance of Coleoptera, Oligochaeta, and Hemiptera, whereas the AP area, despite soil disturbance, showed a higher abundance of mesofauna, particularly mites, Collembola, and Enchytraeidae, but lower diversity. Different grassland management practices have significantly altered the composition and structure of macro‐ and mesofauna groups, resulting in high dissimilarity between communities. We recommend IG as a more productive and sustainable alternative to the total replacement of natural vegetation (NG) with intensified converted pastures (PP and AP), as it maintains soil fauna diversity and ecosystem services.
Funder
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina
Subject
Agronomy and Crop Science