The use of conservation managements such as the silvopastoral system, and the Voisin rational grazing system have been excellent alternatives to increase animal welfare and production efficiency and improve soil chemical attributes of degraded pastures. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluatethe effect of a High Biodiversity Silvopastoral System (SPSNUCLEUS) on the soil chemical attributes through comparisons with soils of a Management Intensive Grazing without trees (MIG), primary forest, and secondary forest areas. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, Al, H+Al, Ca, Mg, K, and P were evaluated after four years of implementation of SPSNUCLEUS. Soil samples from the layers 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm were collected in all areas—SPSNUCLEUS, MIG, primary forest, and secondary forest. SPSNUCLEUS had better soil quality, with increased P and K contents (0-30 cm), compared to the other areas, and higher total organic carbon,and total nitrogen contents (5-30 cm) when compared to the MIG and secondary forest areas. The soil carbon accumulation capacity in the SPSNUCLEUS area in the layers of 5-10 cm and 20-40 cm was similar to that of the primary forest area, and higher to those of the other areas. SPSNUCLEUS proved to be a promising system to improve the soil chemical attributes of pastures.

Agroecology, as a social movement and scientific discipline, applies ecological principles to the design and management of agricultural systems to improve environmental outcomes and livelihoods for farmers and rural communities. However, little research to date has assessed the policy mechanisms that could facilitate increased adoption of agroecological management practices. We investigated if and how public food procurement programs that provide financial incentives for organic and agroecological production can mitigate key constraints to agroecological transition. We explored the experience of participants in Brazil's National School Feeding Program (PNAE) in Santa Catarina, which offers both a structured market for small-scale family farmers and a price premium for certified agroecological production systems. We found that the PNAE provides an economic incentive for small-scale farmers to begin an agroecological transition by creating a price-differentiated market that is otherwise absent in the regional context. However, without external network linkages -such as participation in farmers' associations, cooperatives, and non-governmental agricultural extension programs that support agroecological practices -the influence of PNAE is limited in stimulating a broader scaling up of agroecological production.

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Restoration Notes have been a distinguishing feature of Ecological Restoration for more than 25 years. This section is geared toward introducing innovative research, tools, technologies, programs, and ideas, as well as providing short-term research results and updates on ongoing efforts. Please direct submissions and inquiries to the editorial staff (ERjournal@ aesop.rutgers.edu).