Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems in Bahia, Brazil

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agroforestry systems deposit great amounts of plant residues on soil and this leads to high levels of soil organic matter content and has increased soil biodiversity and improved its conservation. This study compares the distribution of meso and macrofaunal communities in soil and litter under cacao agroforestry systems and in a natural forest in the southern Bahia state of Brazil. Soil and litter samples were obtained in September 2003, February 2004, and August 2004 in five cacao agroforestry systems. The systems evaluated included: cacao renewed under Erythrina sp. (Erythrina poeppigiana) (CRE); cacao renewed under natural forest (Cabruca, CRF); an old cacao system under Erythrina sp. (OCE); an old cacao system under a natural forest system (Cabruca, OCF) and a cacao germplasm collection area (CGC). As a reference soil and litter under a natural forest (NF) was included. Organisms were collected over a 15-day period with a Berlese–Tullgren apparatus. The density and richness of total fauna varied distinctly according to sites, sampling time and material sampled (soil and litter). 16,409 of fauna were recovered from soil and litter samples and the density of total fauna was 2,094 individuals m−2 in the litter and 641 individuals m−2 in the soil. The richness was 11.8 in the litter and 7.5 in the soil. The cacao agroforestry systems adopted for growing cacao in the southern Bahia region of Brazil have beneficial effects on the soil and litter faunal communities, and such systems of cacao cultivation could be considered as a conservation system for soil fauna. The development of a litter layer resulted in higher abundance and diversity of soil fauna.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barros E, Pashanasi B, Constantino R, Lavelle P (2002) Effects of land-use system on the soil macrofauna in western Brazilian Amazonia. Biol Fertil Soils 35:338–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barros E, Neves A, Blanchart E, Fernandes ECM, Wandelli E, Lavelle P (2003) Development of the soil macrofauna community under silvopastoral and agrisilvicultural systems in Amazonia. Pedobiologia (Jena) 47:273–280. doi:10.1078/0031-4056-00190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barros E, Grimaldi M, Sarrazin M, Chauvel A, Mitja D, Desjardins T, Lavelle P (2004) Soil physical degradation and changes in macrofaunal communities in Central Amazon. Appl Soil Ecol 26:157–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown GG, Moreno AG, Barois I, Fragoso C, Rojas P, Hernández B et al (2004) Soil macrofauna in SE Mexican pastures and the effect of conversion from native to introduced pastures. Agric Ecosyst Environ 103:313–327. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2003.12.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown GG, Römbke J, Höfer H, Verhaagh M, Sautter KD, Santana DLQ (2006) Biodiversity and function of soil animals in Brazilian agroforestry systems. In: Gama-Rodrigues AC, Barros NF, Gama-Rodrigues EF, Freitas MSM, Viana AP, Jasmin JM, Marciano CR, Carneiro JGA (eds) Sistemas Agroflorestais: Bases Científicas para o desenvolvimento sustentável. UENF, Campos dos Goytacazes, pp 217–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassagne N, Gers C, Gauquelin T (2003) Relationships between Collembola, soil chemistry and humus types in forest stands (France). Biol Fertil Soils 37:355–361

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cassagne N, Gauquelin T, Bal-Serin MC, Gers C (2006) Endemic Collembola, privileged bioindicators of forest management. Pedobiologia (Jena) 50:127–134. doi:10.1016/j.pedobi.2005.10.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chagon M, Paré D, Hébert C, Camié C (2001) Effects of experimental liming on collembolan communities and soil microbial biomass in a southern Quebec sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) stand. Appl Soil Ecol 17:81–90. doi:10.1016/S0929-1393(00)00134-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decaëns T, Lavelle P, Jimenez JJJ, Escobar G, Rippstein G (1994) Impact of land management on soil macrofauna in the oriental llanos of Colombia. Eur J Soil Biol 30:157–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Decaëns T, Jimenez JJ, Barros E, Chauvel A, Blanchart E, Fragoso C, Lavelle P (2004) Soil macrofaunal communities in permanent pastures derived from tropical forest or savanna. Agric Ecosyst Environ 103:301–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delabie JHC, Jahyny B, Nascimento IC, Mariano SF, Lacau S, Campiolo S et al (2007) Contribution of cocoa plantations to the conservation of native ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a special emphasis on the Atlantic forest fauna of southern Bahia, Brazil. Biodivers Conserv 16:2359–2384. doi:10.1007/s10531-007-9190-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folgarait PJ (1998) Ant biodiversity and its relationship to ecosystem functioning: the review. Biodivers Conserv 7:1221–1244. doi:10.1023/A:1008891901953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fontes AG (2006) Ciclagem de nutrientes em sistemas agroflorestais de cacau no sul da Bahia. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ: Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 2006. (Tese de Doutorado)–Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 71p

  • Fragoso C, Brown GG, Patrón JC, Blanchart E, Lavelle P, Pashanasi B et al (1997) Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agrecosystem function in the tropics: the role of earthworms. Appl Soil Ecol 6:17–35. doi:10.1016/S0929-1393(96)00154-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gama-Rodrigues AC, de Barros NF, Mendonça ES (1999) Alterações edáficas sob plantios puros e mistos de espécies florestais nativas do sudeste da Bahia, Brasil. Rev Bras Cienc Solo 23:581–592

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Höffer H, Hanagarth W, Garcia M, Martius C, Franklin E, Römbke J et al (2001) Structure and function of soil fauna communities in Amazonian anthropogenic and natural ecosystems. Eur J Soil Biol 37:229–235. doi:10.1016/S1164-5563(01)01089-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huhta V (2007) The role of soil fauna in ecosystems: a historical review. Pedobiologia (Jena) 50:489–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laossi KR, Barot S, Carvalho D, Desjardins T, Lavelle P, Martins M et al (2008) Effects of plant diversity on plant biomass production and soil macrofauna in Amazonian pastures. Pedobiologia (Jena) 51:397–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavelle P, Barros E, Blanchart E, Brown G, Desjardins T, Mariani L, Rossi J-P (2001) SOM management in the tropics: why feeding the soil macrofauna? Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 61:53–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavelle P, Senapati B, Barros E (2003) Soil Macrofauna. In: Schroth G, Sinclair FL (eds) Trees, crops and soil fertility. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, pp 303–324

    Google Scholar 

  • López-Hernández D, Araújo Y, López A, Hernández-Valencial I, Hernández C (2004) Changes in soil properties and earthworm populations induced by long-term organic fertilization of the sandy soil in the Venezuelan Amazonian. Soil Sci 169:188–194. doi:10.1097/01.ss.0000122524.03492.b7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mcadam JH, Sibbald AR, Teklehaimanot Z, Eason WR (2007) Developing silvopastoral systems and their effects on diversity of fauna. Agrofor Syst 70:81–89. doi:10.1007/s10457-007-9047-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moço MKS, Gama-Rodrigues EF, Gama-Rodrigues AC, Correia MEF (2005) Caracterização da fauna edáfica em diferentes coberturas vegetais na região norte fluminense. Rev Bras Cienc Solo 29:555–564. doi:10.1590/S0100-06832005000400008

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller MW, Gama-Rodrigues AC (2007) Sistemas Agroflorestais com cacaueiro. In: Valle RR (ed) Ciência, Tecnologia e Manejo do Cacaueiro. CEPLAC/CEPEC, Ilhéus, pp 246–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacios-Vargas JG, Castanõ-Meneses G, Gómez-Anaya JA, Martínez-Yrizar A, Mejía-Recamier BE, Martínez-Sánchez J (2007) Litter and soil arthropods diversity and density in a tropical dry forest ecosystem in Western Mexico. Biodivers Conserv 16:3703–3717. doi:10.1007/s10531-006-9109-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pellens R, Garay I (2000) Edaphic macroarthopod communities in fast-growing plantations of Eucalyptus grandis former hill maid (Myrtaceae) and AOCFia mangium wild (Leguminosae) in Brazil. Eur J Soil Biol 35:77–89. doi:10.1016/S1164-5563(99)00209-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter A, Maria Klein A, Tscharntke T, Tylianakis JM (2007) Abandonement of coffee agroforests increases insect abundance and diversity. Agrofor Syst 69:175–182. doi:10.1007/s10457-006-9020-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi J-P, Blanchart E (2005) Seasonal and land-use induced variations of soil macrofauna composition in the Western Ghats, southern India. Soil Biol Biochem 37:1093–1104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salamon JA, Scheu S, Schaefer M (2008) The Collembola community of pure and mixed stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies) of different age. Pedobiologia (Jena) 51:385–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayer EJ (2005) Using experimental manipulation to assess the roll of leaf litter in the functioning of forest ecosystems. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 80:1–31. doi:10.1017/S1464793105006846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G, Mota MSS, Jerozolimski A (2006) Agroforestry and the conservation of forest cover and biodiversity in tropical landscapes – on – site and off – site effects and synergies with environmental legislation. In: Gama-Rodrigues AC, Barros NF, Gama-Rodrigues EF, Freitas MSM, Viana AP, Jasmin JM, Marciano CR, Carneiro JGA (eds) Sistemas Agroflorestais: Bases Científicas para o desenvolvimento sustentável. UENF, Campos dos Goytacazes, pp 67–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Sileshi G, Mafongoya PL (2006) Variation in macrofaunal communities under contrasting land use systems in eastern Zambia. Appl Soil Ecol 33:49–60. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2005.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silva RR, Silvestre R (2004) Riqueza da fauna de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) que habita as camadas superficiais do solo em Seara, Santa Catarina. Papeis Avulsos Zoologia 44:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapia-Coral SC, Luizão FJ, Wandelli EV (1999) Macrofauna of the sedan chair in systems cocoa agroforestry on abandoned pastures in the Amaonian Central. Acta Amazonica 29:477–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Vohland K, Schroth G (1999) Distribution patterns of the litter macrofauna in agroforestry and monoculture plantations Amazonian central in the affected by plant species and management. Appl Soil Ecol 13:57–68. doi:10.1016/S0929-1393(99)00021-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA (1995) Impacts of disturbance on detritus food webs in agriculture-ecosystems of contrasting tillage and weed management practices. Adv Ecol Res 26:105–182. doi:10.1016/S0065-2504(08)60065-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA, Verhoef HA, Clarholm M (1998) Trophic relationships in the soil microfood-web: predicting the responses to a changing global environmental. Glob Chang Biol 4:713–727. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00206.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA, Yeates GW, Barker GM, Karen IB (2006) The influence of plant litter diversity on decomposer abundance and diversity. Soil Biol Biochem 38:1052–1062. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2005.09.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Warren M, Zou X (2007) Fertilization responses of soil litter fauna and litter quantity, quality and turnover in low and high elevation forests if Puerto Rico. Appl Soil Ecol 37:63–71. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2007.03.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Dr.Geraldo Gravina for assistance with statistical analyses and Yuko Uchida for helpful English correction.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Laboratory, Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense, CEP 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil

    M. K. da Silva Moço, E. F. da Gama-Rodrigues & A. C. da Gama-Rodrigues

  2. MARS Center of Cocoa Science, Bahia, Brazil

    R. C. R. Machado

  3. USDA-ARS Sustainable Perennial Crops Lab, Beltsville, MD, USA

    V. C. Baligar

Authors
  1. M. K. da Silva Moço
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. F. da Gama-Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. C. da Gama-Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. C. R. Machado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. V. C. Baligar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. F. da Gama-Rodrigues.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

da Silva Moço, M.K., da Gama-Rodrigues, E.F., da Gama-Rodrigues, A.C. et al. Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems in Bahia, Brazil. Agroforest Syst 76, 127–138 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9178-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9178-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation