Journal Article
Integrated approach to soil attributes in the Atlantic Forest biome: a comparative study between an agroforestry system and secondary forest in a coastal area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
Cyndi dos Santos Ferreira; Aurea Pinto dos Ramos; Sandra Santana de Lima; Gustavo Souza Lima Sant’Anna; Robert Ferreira; Ana Beatriz Gonçalves Vasques da Silva; Otavio Augusto Queiroz dos Santos; Eliane Maria Ribeiro da Silva; Cristiane Figueira da Silva; Nivaldo Schultz; Marcos Gervasio Pereira; Irene da Silva Coelho
Agroforestry Systems · Vol. 100, Issue 7 · 2026
Abstract
Agricultural expansion, combined with poor soil management, can result in soil degradation, erosion, and nutrient depletion. Agroforestry systems (AFS) are sustainable alternatives that promote soil health, conserve biodiversity, and increase productive resilience. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of soils under AFS and forests (FOR) in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, located in the Atlantic Forest biome. In each area, mini-trenches were opened to collect five composite samples at 0–10 cm, with four replicates for chemical, physical, and biological analyses. Ecological similarities were observed between the AFS and FOR systems. While AFS was associated with fertility-related attributes and FOR with organic matter content, the biological components showed comparable patterns. Macrofaunal composition, β -glucosidase activity, abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and glomalin-related soil protein did not markedly differ between the systems. Only arylsulfatase levels were increased in the AFS group. The AFS maintained soil biological integrity, with fungal and bacterial communities exhibiting structures and diversities similar to those observed in the FOR. The fungal class Eurotiomycetes stood out in the AFS due to its higher abundance, while the families and genera Melanommataceae, Hygrophoraceae, Memnoniella, Hygrocybe, Myxarium, and Byssosphaeria were also enriched in this system. In bacterial communities, the class Acidobacteriae was more abundant in FOR, reflecting the influence of soil pH on bacterial composition. Overall, the evaluated AFS demonstrated potential as a strategy for ecological intensification and environmental conservation by maintaining soil and biological attributes comparable to those observed in the forest area while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility.