Influência dos Usos do Solo na Meso e Macrofauna Edáfica: Um Estudo na Região Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul

Influence of Land Use on Meso and Macrofauna in Soil: A Study in the Northwest Region of Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Soil fauna is a valuable indicator of environmental quality for assessing the impact of production systems, owing to its involvement in soil and plant nutrient decomposition and cycling. The northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul relies predominantly on agriculture as its
primary economic activity, employing pesticides and fertilizers for crop cultivation and management, potentially leading to contamination and
a decline in edaphic diversity. To assess the influence of human activities on soil-dwelling fauna, we conducted a study across four areas with
varying land uses during the winter and spring seasons. In these areas, traps were set up to capture organisms, which were then quantified and identified. Our results indicate a higher prevalence of mesofauna compared to macrofauna, with the Coleoptera and Collembola groups showing the highest abundance, respectively. Moreover, notable differences in individual abundance were observed depending on soil type and seasonality. Based on this assessment, we tentatively conclude that areas with lower anthropogenic impact, managed under no-tillage practicesresulting in reduced soil disturbance and litter deposition, provide favorable habitats for soil-dwelling organisms.