Soil-environment relationship in an area degraded by gullies in the Cerrado, Minas Gerais state

Abstract

Soil degradation represents a current and future risk of compromising ecosystem services. Soil attributes of degraded areas and Cerrado fragments were evaluated, paying attention to the restoration of degraded areas. For this purpose, a multitemporal evaluation of a gully was carried out using GIS; field work was carried out with collections at 39 sampling points and description of 5 soil profiles, in previously stratified environments; in the laboratory, are determined of physical, chemical and organic matter attributes of the soil and; statistical analyzes were performed. Over six decades, an evolution of soil degradation of 60% was estimated, with an increase of 499.5 m²/year (in the period of more accelerated erosion) to 96.9 m²/year. The PCA highlights the Mata environment as the most fertile, with vectors of OM, BS and macro and micronutrients related to this environment; Mean tests show variations between the granulometric fractions of preserves and degraded areas and equality of OM in Cerradão and Mata to the detriment of gully areas. SOM management, aiming at its incorporation and increase in the soil, should be privileged in ecological restoration.