African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6730

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of soil macrofauna under sugarcane monoculture and two different natural vegetation types

Glecio Machado Siqueira
  • Glecio Machado Siqueira
  • Department of Geosciences, UFMA - Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, CEP 65080-805, São Luís – MA, Brazil.
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Enio Farias de Franca Silva
  • Enio Farias de Franca Silva
  • Department of Rural Technology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil.
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Mariana Matos Moreira
  • Mariana Matos Moreira
  • Department of Agrophorestry Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Universitario, 27002, Lugo, Spain.
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Gustavo Andre de Araujo Santos
  • Gustavo Andre de Araujo Santos
  • Department of Geosciences, UFMA - Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, CEP 65080-805, São Luís – MA, Brazil.
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Raimunda Alves Silva
  • Raimunda Alves Silva
  • Department of Geosciences, UFMA - Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, CEP 65080-805, São Luís – MA, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 03 April 2016
  •  Accepted: 08 June 2016
  •  Published: 28 July 2016

Abstract

Soil macrofauna organisms are recognized as ecological indicators of soil management practices. Sugarcane monoculture can have negative impacts on soil, including biodiversity loss, which should be evaluated. In that sense, the aim of this was to determine the diversity macrofauna under sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) annual growth cycle (2012-2013) comparing two different natural vegetation areas (Sandbank and Atlantic forest). The study areas are located at Usina Santa Teresa in Goiana municipality, in Zona Mata Norte of the Pernambuco State (Brazil). Soil macrofauna samples were collected in January, April and August 2013. In order to collect soil macrofauna samples, 5 pitfall traps were placed in the field for 7 days. Descriptive statistics and biodiversity indices were used to carry out data analysis. The presence and biodiversity indices were affected by the hydrological regime. Sugarcane harvest with straw burning initially promoted soil macrofauna taxa better adapted to system drastic changes. Moreover, as sugarcane growth year went by, soil macrofauna biodiversity indices similar to those reported at natural vegetation areas (Sandbank and Atlantic Forest) were observed.

 

Key words: Bioindicator, burnt sugarcane, functional groups, soil macrofauna.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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