Land conservation restores soil health in endangered Brazilian Atlantic Forest
image: Preserved forests of Ocotea porosa exhibited improved soil functionality with higher levels of soil organic matter (6.56%), exchangeable cations (e.g., Ca2+ at 3.87 cmolc kg−1), and enhanced physical properties, such as soil aggregation, than degraded forests in the Atlantic Forest biome. In preserved forests, microbial activity, total glomalin (5.79 mg g−1), and organic acids like oxalic (80.19 μmol g−1) and malic acids (4.93 μmol g−1) were notably higher, indicating more active soil biochemical processes that support nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. Chemodiversity of dissolved soil organic matter (SOM), with significant contributions from carbohydrates (29.41%), lipids (20.04%), and proteins/amino sugars (41.73%), was significantly higher in preserved plots, demonstrating a positive correlation with soil quality and functionality. Preserved and degraded plots exhibited distinct arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities, with Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae more prevalent in preserved plots, while degraded plots were associated with Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, and Rhizophagus intraradices.
Credit: Tancredo Souza, Marcelo C. Scipioni, Andressa V. Flôres, Agnne M. O. Silva, Josefa B. L. dos Santos, Diego S. Batista, and Mário D. Júnior.
Date: May 6, 2026
Bananeiras, Brazil: A new study published in Biological Diversity reveals that land conservation dramatically improves soil functionality in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a global biodiversity hotspot. Researchers compared preserved old-growth forests and degraded forests dominated by the endangered tree Ocotea porosa (imbuia/Brazilian walnut) and found that protection drives stronger nutrient cycling, microbial activity, organic matter quality, and symbiotic fungi communities.
Led by Dr. Tancredo Souza from Federal University of Paraíba, the three-year field investigation examined soil properties, dissolved organic matter (DOM) chemodiversity, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in subtropical Cambisols. Preserved sites showed drastically higher levels of soil organic matter, exchangeable cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺), available phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc. Soil aggregation improved sharply, while bulk density declined—key indicators of restored soil structure.
Microbial biomass carbon, respiration, total glomalin, and organic acids (oxalic, malic) were all far higher in conserved forests, supporting more active nutrient cycling. Using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), the team discovered that preserved soils supported greater DOM chemodiversity, with more carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins/amino sugars, whereas degraded soils accumulated condensed aromatics and polyphenolics.
The AMF community also shifted strongly with conservation status. Preserved forests favored Acaulospora morrowiae, Cetraspora pellucida, and Gigaspora species, which enhance nutrient uptake and soil stability. Degraded sites were dominated by Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, and Rhizophagus intraradices. Structural equation modeling confirmed that conservation improves soil function by synchronizing AMF symbiosis, DOM quality, and physical–biochemical soil health.
These findings highlight that protecting old-growth forests is among the most effective strategies to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, support endangered plants, enhance carbon sequestration, and strengthen climate resilience. The study provides scientific guidance for ecosystem restoration and protected area management in the Atlantic Forest biome.
Original Source
Souza, Tancredo, Marcelo C. Scipioni, Andressa V. Flôres, Agnne M. O. Silva, Josefa B. L. dos Santos, Diego S. Batista, and Mário D. Júnior. 2025. “Impact of land conservation status on soil functionality in degraded versus old-growth forest in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome.” Biological Diversity 2(1): 14–27.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bod2.70000
Keywords
endangered tree species, host-AMF symbiosis, soil dissolved organic matter chemodiversity, soil physical and biochemical properties, subtropical cambisols
About the Author
Tancredo Souza (First Author and Corresponding Author), PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil, and the Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal. His research interests cover soil ecology, tropical and subtropical ecosystems, forestry and agriculture, ecology and management of alien and invasive plant species, soil biodiversity, tree physiology, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity, bioremediation and bioenergy, microbial ecology, and soil organic acids. He has published more than 90 academic papers.
About the Journal
Biological Diversity (ISSN: 2994-4139) is a new open-access, high-impact, English-language journal, devoted to advancing biodiversity conservation, enhancing ecosystem services, and promoting the sustainable use of resources under global change. It features innovative research addressing the global biodiversity crisis.