A soil quality index for seven productive landscapes in the Andean‐Amazonian foothills of Ecuador

Abstract

Few studies have comprehensively evaluated the effect of changing land use on the soil quality in the Ecuadorian Amazon region that is subject to continued deforestation processes. This study evaluated the influence of different types of land use on soil quality using an integrated soil quality index (SQI) with a minimum set of indicators, based on 140 soil samples from 7 land use types, in seven productive distinct landscapes in Pastaza Province, Ecuador. The land use type evaluated was Chakra_A, Chakra_B, Chakra_C, Cattle_A, Cattle_B, Cattle_C, and Forest. Land use type had significant effects on soil properties and thus on soil quality. SQI was developed by using, AP, Zn, TOC, BD, and LL; AP and Zn had highest weighting values (0.38), which indicated that these indicators contributed the most to final SQI. In general, the SQI varied significantly depending on the type of land use and two groups were established: the first categorized as of moderate quality with mean SQI values of 0.45, 0.44, and 0.41 for Chakra_A, Forest and Chakra_B, respectively; while the second group registered average SQI values of 0.33, 0.33, 0.32, and 0.30 for Chakra_C, Cattle_C, Cattle_A and Cattle_B, respectively, considered of low quality. The methods used are applicable to the study of changes in soil properties as functions of agroforestry systems, which are generated by changes in land use in similar landscape of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Effects of different tillage and fertilizer on soil quality under wheat‐maize rotation in the North China Plain

“…The outcome lent credence to the premise that full nitrogen fertilizer and increased organic fertilizer application under shallow tillage indeed represented the optimal management approach within the confines of this study. Significantly, these findings dovetail with existing research outcomes, thus augmenting the existing body of knowledge and reinforcing the efficacy of this recommended approach (Bravo‐Medina et al, 2021). Additionally, the impact of treatments on SQI had reached highly significant levels (Table S10).…”

Soil properties variation in a small-scale altitudinal gradient of an evergreen foothills forest, Ecuadorian Amazon Region

“…Ecuador's Amazon region represents 45% of its territory and is considered one of the tropical areas with the highest concentration of biodiversity. The region has large areas of natural forest, which in turn constitutes an ecosystem of wide local and global interest (Bravo et al 2017b; Torres et al 2019; Bravo-Medina et al 2021). It is characterized by very rainy weather conditions, a variety of soil orders with a predominance of Inceptisols that represent about 80% of its surface, while the other orders (including Andisols) make up a smaller proportion (Espinosa et al 2018).…”