Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador
Soil biological activity and macroinvertebrate diversity are key indicators of ecosystem function in tropical landscapes. This study evaluates the effects of different land-use systems—Amazonian Chakra agroforestry (timber-based and fruit-based), cocoa monoculture, and tropical rainforest—on soil mi...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Thony Huera-Lucero Bolier Torres Carlos Bravo-Medina Beatriz García-Nogales Luis Vicente Antonio López-Piñeiro |
| author_facet | Thony Huera-Lucero Bolier Torres Carlos Bravo-Medina Beatriz García-Nogales Luis Vicente Antonio López-Piñeiro |
| author_sort | Thony Huera-Lucero |
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| description | Soil biological activity and macroinvertebrate diversity are key indicators of ecosystem function in tropical landscapes. This study evaluates the effects of different land-use systems—Amazonian Chakra agroforestry (timber-based and fruit-based), cocoa monoculture, and tropical rainforest—on soil microbial respiration, enzymatic activity, and macroinvertebrate diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Forest soils exhibited the highest edaphic respiration (240 ± 64.3 mg CO<sub>2</sub> m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>−1</sup>, <i>p</i> = 0.034), while agroforestry systems maintained intermediate biological activity, surpassing monocultures in microbial diversity and enzymatic function. The soil organic matter (SOM) content at a 10 cm depth was significantly higher in monocultures (19.8 ± 3.88%) than in agroforestry and forest soils (<i>p</i> = 0.006); however, the enzymatic activity showed greater functional responses in agroforestry and forest systems. The relationship between recorded CO<sub>2</sub> respiration (REC_CO<sub>2</sub>) and basal respiration (RBC_CO<sub>2</sub>) exhibited a non-linear trend, as revealed by LOWESS smoothing, suggesting that microbial respiration dynamics are influenced by substrate availability and enzymatic thresholds beyond simple linear predictions. These findings underscore the potential of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use strategy that enhances soil biodiversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. Implementing optimized agroforestry practices can contribute to long-term soil conservation and ecosystem resilience in tropical agroecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-10ee2b421fea4991afd5d2ad935dcf83 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-10ee2b421fea4991afd5d2ad935dcf832025-08-20T02:24:39ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-04-0115883010.3390/agriculture15080830Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in EcuadorThony Huera-Lucero0Bolier Torres1Carlos Bravo-Medina2Beatriz García-Nogales3Luis Vicente4Antonio López-Piñeiro5Área de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias—Instituto del Agua Cambio Climático y Sostenibilidad, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, SpainOchroma Consulting & Services, Tena 150150, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Estatal Amazónica (UEA), Puyo 160101, EcuadorÁrea de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias—Instituto del Agua Cambio Climático y Sostenibilidad, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, SpainÁrea de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias—Instituto del Agua Cambio Climático y Sostenibilidad, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, SpainÁrea de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Facultad de Ciencias—Instituto del Agua Cambio Climático y Sostenibilidad, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, SpainSoil biological activity and macroinvertebrate diversity are key indicators of ecosystem function in tropical landscapes. This study evaluates the effects of different land-use systems—Amazonian Chakra agroforestry (timber-based and fruit-based), cocoa monoculture, and tropical rainforest—on soil microbial respiration, enzymatic activity, and macroinvertebrate diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Forest soils exhibited the highest edaphic respiration (240 ± 64.3 mg CO<sub>2</sub> m<sup>2</sup> ha<sup>−1</sup>, <i>p</i> = 0.034), while agroforestry systems maintained intermediate biological activity, surpassing monocultures in microbial diversity and enzymatic function. The soil organic matter (SOM) content at a 10 cm depth was significantly higher in monocultures (19.8 ± 3.88%) than in agroforestry and forest soils (<i>p</i> = 0.006); however, the enzymatic activity showed greater functional responses in agroforestry and forest systems. The relationship between recorded CO<sub>2</sub> respiration (REC_CO<sub>2</sub>) and basal respiration (RBC_CO<sub>2</sub>) exhibited a non-linear trend, as revealed by LOWESS smoothing, suggesting that microbial respiration dynamics are influenced by substrate availability and enzymatic thresholds beyond simple linear predictions. These findings underscore the potential of agroforestry as a sustainable land-use strategy that enhances soil biodiversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. Implementing optimized agroforestry practices can contribute to long-term soil conservation and ecosystem resilience in tropical agroecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/830soil biologymicrobial respirationsoil invertebratesagroforestry systemsEcuadorian Amazon |
| spellingShingle | Thony Huera-Lucero Bolier Torres Carlos Bravo-Medina Beatriz García-Nogales Luis Vicente Antonio López-Piñeiro Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador Agriculture soil biology microbial respiration soil invertebrates agroforestry systems Ecuadorian Amazon |
| title | Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador |
| title_full | Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador |
| title_short | Comparative Analysis of Soil Biological Activity and Macroinvertebrate Diversity in <i>Amazonian Chakra</i> Agroforestry and Tropical Rainforests in Ecuador |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of soil biological activity and macroinvertebrate diversity in i amazonian chakra i agroforestry and tropical rainforests in ecuador |
| topic | soil biology microbial respiration soil invertebrates agroforestry systems Ecuadorian Amazon |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/830 |
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