Forest restoration rehabilitates soil multifunctionality in riparian zones of sugarcane production landscapes

Autor(es)

Bieluczyk, Wanderlei ; Merloti, Luis Fernando ; Cherubin, Mauricio Roberto ; Mendes, Lucas William ; Bendassolli, Jose Albertino ; Rodrigues, Ricardo Ribeiro ; de Camargo, Plinio Barbosa ; van der Putten, Wim H. ; Tsai, Siu Mui

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Science of The Total Environment; v. 888, p. 15-pg., 2023-05-24.

Resumo

Brazilian sugarcane plays a vital role in the production of both sugar and renewable energy. However, land use change and long-term conventional sugarcane cultivation have degraded entire watersheds, including a substantial loss of soil multifunctionality. In our study, riparian zones have been reforested to mitigate these impacts, protect aquatic ecosys-tems, and restore ecological corridors within the sugarcane production landscapes. We examined (i) how forest resto-ration enables rehabilitation of the soil's multifunctionality after long-term sugarcane cultivation and (ii) how long it takes to regain ecosystem functions comparable to those of a primary forest. We investigated a time series of riparian forests at 6, 15, and 30 years after starting restoration by planting trees (named 'active restoration') and determined soil C stocks, & delta;13C (indicative of C origin), as well as measures indicative of soil health. A primary forest and a long-term sugarcane field were used as references. Eleven soil physical, chemical, and biological indicators were used for a structured soil health assessment, calculating index scores based on soil functions. Forest-to-cane conversion reduced 30.6 Mg ha-1 of soil C stocks, causing soil compaction and loss of cation exchange capacity, thus degrading soil's phys-ical, chemical, and biological functions. Forest restoration for 6-30 years recovered 16-20 Mg C ha-1 stored in soils. In all restored sites, soil functions such as supporting root growth, aerating the soil, nutrient storage capacity, and provid-ing C energy for microbial activity were gradually recovered. Thirty years of active restoration was sufficient to reach the primary forest state in overall soil health index, multifunctional performance, and C sequestration. We conclude that active forest restoration in sugarcane-dominated landscapes is an effective way to restore soil multifunctionality approaching the level of the native forest in approximately three decades. Moreover, the C sequestration in the re-stored forest soils will help to mediate global warming. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/19000-4 - Aplicação da abordagem biotic soil legacy com foco nas interações positivas-negativas da biota na restauração florestal por feedbacks das comunidades de solo e planta - BioFor
• Beneficiário: Tsai Siu Mui
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 20/15230-5 - Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação de Gases de Efeito Estufa - RCG2I
• Beneficiário: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Centros de Pesquisa em Engenharia