Invasive bamboo species and its impacts on soil quality

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is a biome with high biodiversity of fauna and flora. However, it has been subjected to anthropic impacts, such as deforestation and fires, causing the reduction and fragmentation of its ecosystems. Another factor that has threatened biodiversity is the introduction of invasive alien species, which is currently the second greatest threat. These species cause negative impacts on the environment, such as bamboo, which in several parts of the world, its installation and progressive growth have caused the degradation of forest fragments due to the participation in the changes in the structure and floristic composition of these environments, as well as in the alterations of its water and nutrient processes. In this sense, the research aimed to investigate the interference of bamboo groves on a fragment of Atlantic Forest in the Municipal Park of Maceió, Alagoas, through soil quality indicators, aiming to maintain the conservation and preservation of local biodiversity. Two areas were selected: Atlantic Forest and Bambuzal. In each area, 10 soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-10 cm to evaluate chemical indicators (pH, MO, C, exchangeable bases (Ca3+, Mg2+, K+, Na+), P, Al and potential acidity (H+ +Al3+), sum of bases (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + K+ + Na+), cation exchange capacity (S+H+Al3+) and base saturation) and ecological (litter accumulation, macrofauna and mesofauna). Based on the results, it was observed that chemical (Mg, SB, Al, and P) and ecological attributes (litter accumulation and edaphic macrofauna) could be used as soil quality indicators. The Atlantic Forest has a greater richness of macrofauna organisms compared to the bamboo grove. Bamboo has adapted well to the soil conditions of the Parque Municipal de Maceió (PMM), reflecting the high levels of total organic carbon and greater abundance of mesofauna organisms, which requires monitoring since the environment is favorable for its permanence, stability, and expansion, which may harm native vegetation.