ABSTRACT: Springtails (Collembola) are soil organisms with wide morphological diversity and are sensitive to alterations in the soil, regardless of whether they are human-caused or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of land use on the morphological diversity of springtails and verify their relationships with soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. Samples were collected in the eastern region of Santa Catarina, in three municipalities: Joinville, Blumenau, and Timbó. They included the following land use systems […]

ABSTRACT Studies on soil quality in Araucaria forests contribute to understanding changes in this ecosystem and serve as a tool in conserving its biodiversity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of soil macrofauna in discriminating native and replanted Araucaria forests for selection of soil quality indicators. Native (NF) and replanted (RF) Araucaria angustifolia forests were evaluated in three regions of the state of São Paulo, representing three true replications. Fifteen soil samples were collected in each […]

Sustainable use of soil, maintaining or improving its quality, is one of the goals of diversification in farmlands. From this point of view, bioindicators associated with C, N and P cycling can be used in assessments of land-use effects on soil quality. The aim of this study was to investigate chemical, microbiological and biochemical properties of soil associated with C, N and P under different land uses in a farm property with diversified activity in northern Parana, Brazil. Seven areas […]

Studies on microbial activity and biomass in forestry plantations often overlook the role of litter, typically focusing instead on soil nutrient contents to explain plant and microorganism development. However, since the litter is a significant source of recycled nutrients that affect nutrient dynamics in the soil, litter composition may be more strongly correlated with forest growth and development than soil nutrient contents. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by examining correlations between soil C, N, and P; litter C, […]

Among a number of organisms that constitute soil macrofauna communities, distributed in different types of habitats, with varied foraging habits and life cycles, some are capable of a rapid response to environmental changes. These organisms are considered efficient indicators of the well-functioning of ecosystems. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the following succession stages of a seasonal semidecidous submontane forest of the Atlantic Forest domain: Secondary Forest Initial Stage – SFIS, Medium Stage – […]