Integrating Chemical and Microbial Soil Indicators for Effective Erosion Stabilization in the Atlantic Forest

Аннотация

Soil erosion in the Atlantic Forest biome, particularly within gully systems, is a significant CITATION environmental challenge affecting biodiversity, Gulomov Rustam, ecosystem function, and land productivity. Erosion control and stabilization in these areas have become a COPYRIGHT key focus for land conservation and restoration © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms strategies. This study examines the chemical and of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. microbial attributes of soils as indicators of erosion stabilization in gully systems of the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil. Soil samples were collected from both eroded and stabilized gully sites across different regions within the biome. Chemical parameters, including pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), were analyzed. Microbial activity was assessed through the measurement of soil respiration, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities (e.g., dehydrogenase, phosphatase). The results revealed that soils in stabilized gully areas exhibited higher organic matter content, improved chemical fertility, and higher microbial activity compared to eroded sites. These findings suggest that the chemical and microbial health of soils can serve as reliable indicators for monitoring the success of erosion stabilization in gully areas. The study highlights the importance of integrating chemical and biological soil indicators into erosion control and land management practices in the Atlantic Forest. Keywords: Soil erosion, gully stabilization, Atlantic Forest, microbial activity, soil chemistry, organic matter, nutrient cycling, soil respiration, microbial biomass, enzymatic activity, erosion control, restoration ecology, land degradation, ecosystem restoration, soil health, soil fertility. The American Journal of Agriculture and Biomedical 1 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajabe Engineering The American Journal of Agriculture and Biomedical Engineering Introduction: Soil erosion, particularly in gully systems, de Janeiro, areas that have been affected by is a major concern in the Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil, deforestation and agricultural expansion, which have where steep slopes and intensive land use have contributed to gully formation. exacerbated degradation. The Atlantic Forest, one of the 2.2 Sample Collection most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, is particularly Soil samples were collected from both eroded and vulnerable to soil erosion due to deforestation, stabilized gully areas. Stabilized gully areas were defined agriculture, and urbanization. Gullies, which are deeply as regions where erosion had been mitigated through incised erosional features, often result from the active rehabilitation measures, such as reforestation combined effects of surface runoff, vegetation loss, and with native vegetation and the construction of physical soil compaction. These features not only contribute to barriers like check dams. Eroded sites, on the other the loss of fertile soil but also disrupt the hydrological hand, exhibited ongoing erosion processes with little to cycle, causing waterlogging and downstream no vegetation cover. sedimentation. Soil samples were taken from the surface layer (0–20 cm Erosion stabilization in gully systems is critical for depth) at five locations within each site. Each sample restoring soil fertility, preventing further degradation, was a composite of 5 sub-samples taken within a 5 m² and improving water quality. Previous research has plot. A total of 30 soil samples were collected (15 from focused on physical approaches to gully rehabilitation, eroded sites and 15 from stabilized sites). Samples were such as the construction of check dams, vegetative cover transported to the laboratory in sealed containers and restoration, and the use of erosion control methods. analyzed within 24 hours to prevent deterioration. However, understanding the chemical and microbial dynamics of stabilized soils in gully systems can provide 2.3 Chemical Analysis additional insight into the underlying processes that The following chemical parameters were measured to contribute to successful erosion mitigation. assess the soil quality: Chemical indicators, such as soil pH, nutrient content, • pH: Determined in a 1:1 soil-to-water suspension using and organic matter, are often used to assess soil health. a pH meter (Model 550, Hanna Instruments). Similarly, microbial attributes, including microbial biomass, soil respiration, and enzymatic activities, offe•r Organic Matter (OM): Measured by the Walkley-Black valuable information about soil biological activity and method. nutrient cycling. These chemical and biological • Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Determined using the parameters could provide early signs of gully ammonium acetate method. stabilization and reflect the recovery of soil fertility and • Nitrogen (N): Measure