ABSTRACT Amazonian soils have been suffering severe changes resulting from human activities in the region, causing significant changes in soil attributes that can contribute to greater susceptibility to erosion processes. Therefore, the present work aimed to estimate the erodibility in natural and anthropic environments in the southern region of the Amazon. Eight areas in the region were selected, including areas of native forest, savannah, cerradão, pasture and reforestation, delimiting 32 sampling points per area, with collections at a depth of 0.00-0.20 m, totaling 256 samples. Next, texture analysis and quantification of soil organic carbon were performed, and then erodibility was estimated by indirect prediction methods, Tukey’s test, Pearson’s correlation and factorial analysis of principal components. According to the results obtained, it was observed that the evaluated areas of native forest 1 and 2, cerradão and pasture present high susceptibility to erosion in relation to the cerrado, reforestation with genipap, teak and mixed areas. Therefore, it was noted that the high level of erodibility is associated with a greater predominance of sand fraction, K factor, Ki Kr and low clay content, as well as with the management employed in the areas.

Abstract The diversity of forest species is an intrinsic characteristic of the Amazon biome, with litter being the main responsible for the largest portion of nutrients returned to the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the annual production of burlap and to determine the rate of decomposition over one year, comparing the results in the different study environments. The study was developed in the municipality of Humaitá-AM. For the evaluation of the litter production, ten cone collectors were randomly installed in each study area. Each litter sample was placed separately in properly identified paper bags and taken to the laboratory and dried in a forced air circulation oven at 65 ° C. The litter decomposition rate was estimated by mass loss analysis using litter bags. Litter production with the highest annual average was 8,03 Mg ha-1 year -1 for the native forest environment, with no significant difference for the other study areas. Among the fractions of the litter that contributed the most to the leaf, reaching a higher average percentage in the year of 72,1% for the environment of reforestation with teak (Tectona grandis L.). The decomposition of litter occurred more rapidly (0.0025 g g-1 day) in the reforestation environment with genipap (Genipa americana L.), requiring 277,26 days to decompose half of the leaf material.

Resumo A diversidade de espécies florestais é uma característica intrínseca do bioma Amazônico, sendo a serapilheira a principal responsável pela maior parcela dos nutrientes devolvidos ao solo. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar a produção anual de serapilheira e determinar a velocidade de decomposição ao longo de um ano, comparando os resultados nos diferentes ambientes de estudo. O estudo foi desenvolvido no município de Humaitá-AM. Para a avaliação da produção de serapilheira, foram instalados de modo aleatório dez coletores cônicos em área de Floresta Nativa, área de Reflorestamento com Teca (Tectona grandis L), área de Reflorestamento com Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.) e ambiente de Reflorestamento considerado Misto, composto pelas espécies Mogno (Swietenia macrophylla King.), Andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.), Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), Teca (Tectona grandis L.) e Sumauma (Ceiba pentandra). Cada amostra de serapilheira foi colocada, separadamente, em sacos de papel devidamente identificados e levadas para laboratório e secas em estufa de circulação de ar forçado a 65°C. A estimativa da taxa de decomposição da serapilheira foi feita pela análise de perda de massa utilizando-se litter bags. A produção de serapilheira média anual foi de 8,03 Mg ha-1 ano-1 para o ambiente de floresta nativa, e não houve diferença significativa para as demais áreas de estudo. Entre as frações da serapilheira, a que mais contribuiu foi a foliar, atingindo maior média percentual no ano de 72,1% para o ambiente de reflorestamento com teca (Tectona grandis L.). A decomposição da serapilheira ocorreu de forma mais acelerada (0,0025 g g-1dia) no ambiente de reflorestamento com jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), sendo necessários 277,26 dias para que fosse decomposta metade do material foliar.

RESUMO Os solos da região amazônica, apesar de estarem sob uma das florestas mais densas do mundo, são caracterizados, na sua maioria, pela baixa disponibilidade de nutrientes, sendo a serapilheira a principal via de entrada de nutrientes. O objetivo desse estudo foi quantificar a biomassa de raízes finas na época seca e chuvosa do ano, incluindo o carbono orgânico do solo, e comparar os resultados nos diferentes ambientes de estudo. O estudo foi desenvolvido em ambientes de floresta nativa e reflorestamento com idade acima de 20 anos, localizado no município de Humaitá- AM. Para avaliação da biomassa de raízes, foram realizadas coletas em dois períodos do ano: seco e chuvoso. Em cada uma das áreas de estudo foram escavadas manualmente cinco trincheiras, com dimensão de 0,40 m de profundidade por 0,40 m de largura, nas profundidades de 0-5, 5-15 e 15-30 cm. Para análise de carbono orgânico foram coletadas amostras de solo em forma de torrão nas mesmas profundidades. A produção de biomassa radicular no ambiente de floresta nativa ocorreu de forma mais intensa no período chuvoso, chegando a valores de 8,19 t. ha-1, superior a 3,57 t. ha-1 encontrado em reflorestamento. A densidade em função do volume de solo mostrou que a maior concentração se encontra nos primeiros 5 centímetros de profundidade, diferenciando significativamente nas camadas de 5-15 e 15-30 cm para área de floresta nativa. O carbono orgânico do solo apresentou significância entre o período seco e chuvoso para os ambientes de floresta natural e reflorestamento com jenipapo.

ABSTRACT The soils of the Amazon region, despite being under one of the densest forests in the world, are mostly characterized by the low availability of nutrients, with litter being the main route of nutrient entry. The objective of this study was to quantify the biomass of fine roots in the dry and rainy seasons of the year, including the organic carbon of the soil, and to compare the results in different study environments. The study was carried out in environments of native forest and reforestation aged over 20 years, located in the municipality of Humaitá – AM state. To assess the root biomass, collections were carried out in two periods of the year: dry and rainy seasons. In each of the study areas, five trenches, 0.40 m deep by 0.40 m wide, were dug manually at depths of 0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm. For the organic carbon analysis, soil samples were collected in the form of clods at the same depths. The production of root biomass in the native forest environment occurred more intensely in the rainy season, reaching values of 8.19 t. ha-1, greater than 3.57 t. ha-1 found in reforestation. The density as a function of the soil volume showed that the highest concentration is found in the first 5 centimeters of depth, differing significantly in the 5-15 and 15-30 cm layers for native forest area. The organic carbon of the soil showed significance between the dry and rainy seasons for the natural forest environments and reforestation with genipap.

Resumo A erodibilidade é uma característica do solo que representa a susceptibilidade com que suas partículas da camada mais superficial são levadas e transportadas para locais mais baixos por agentes erosivos, causando danos ambientais e econômicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a erodibilidade do solo em áreas de pastagens e florestas no município de Porto Velho-Rondônia. Em campo, foram selecionadas três áreas com diferentes tipos de vegetação, uma com braquiária, outra com capim mombaça e uma terceira em floresta nativa. Nas áreas com pastagens, foi delineada uma malha amostral de tamanhos iguais (90 m x 60 m), e na área de floresta uma malha amostral aproximada (90 m x 50 m), com espaçamento regular de 10 m entre os pontos amostrais para ambas as áreas. A amostragem foi realizada nos pontos de cruzamento da malha na profundidade de 0,0-0,2 m, compondo 70 pontos amostrais nas áreas com pastagens e 60 pontos amostrais na área de floresta, totalizando 200 amostras. Em seguida, foram realizadas análises laboratoriais para determinação da textura seguida do fracionamento da areia, e do carbono orgânico seguida da estimativa da matéria orgânica do solo. Os fatores de erodibilidade foram calculados por meio de modelos de predição indireta e, em seguida, foram aplicadas técnicas univariadas, geoestatísticas e multivariadas. Os ambientes de pastagem diferiram do ambiente de floresta. No entanto, a área de capim mombaça funciona como um ambiente intermediário entre a floresta e a braquiária, estando mais próxima do ambiente de floresta.

Abstract “Erodibility” is a characteristic of the soil that represents the susceptibility with which its particles from the most superficial layer are taken and transported to lower places by erosive agents, causing environmental and economic damages. This work estimated soil erodibility in pastures and forest areas in the municipality of Porto Velho-Rondônia. In the field, three areas with different types of vegetation were selected, one with brachiaria, another with mombaça grass, and a third in native forest. In areas with pastures, a sampling mesh of equal sizes was outlined (90 m x 60 m), and in the forested area an approximate sampling mesh (90 m x 50 m), with a regular spacing of 10 m between the samples points for both areas. The sampling was done at the crossing points of the mesh at a depth of 0.0-0.2 m, composing 70 sample points in the areas with pastures and 60 sample points in the forest area, totaling 200 samples. Then, laboratory analyzes were carried out to determine the texture followed by the fractionation of the sand, and the organic carbon followed by the estimate of the organic matter of the soil. The erodibility factors were calculated using indirect prediction models, and then, univariate, geostatistical and multivariate techniques were applied. The pastures’ environments differed from the forest environment. However, the mombaça grass area functions as an intermediate environment between the forest and the brachiaria, being closer to the forest environment.

ABSTRACT Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) pedogenesis and pre-Columbian history are fundamental for understanding the biodiversity and pedodiversity of the Neotropical rainforest in the Amazon region. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties as well as NaOH-extractable organic matter [OM(NaOH)] in ADE and Mulatto Earth (ME) overlying volcanic rocks along a toposequence (four soil profiles) in western Amazonia, Brazil. The soil profiles show anthropic A horizons over an argic horizon (Bt) in the ADE (Humic, Pretic Luvisols) and Bi in the ME (Clayic, Dystric Cambisols). The soil-forming processes in all of the profiles are associated with organic matter accumulation, such as humification and melanization, besides the formation of organometallic complexes. Calcium, Mg, P, and organic carbon contents were higher in ADE compared to ME. High-activity clays are derived from parent volcanic material, distinguishing the soils studied from Amazonian soils (Tertiary Plateau, Terra Firme) and most Amazonian anthropic soils. The anthropic horizons generally have a large contribution from OM(NaOH), predominantly humin and humic acids associated with Ca, Mg, and poorly crystalline Al hydroxides. The results suggest that the anthropic driving-forces caused greater differences in pedogenesis than the soil location in the landscape.

ABSTRACT Soils with an A horizon formed by human activity, an anthropogenic A horizon, are found in the Amazon Region. Few studies have examined the spatial distribution of the properties of these soils. We mapped the spatial variability of some soil properties in an area of Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) in the Brazilian Amazon. A sampling grid was defined over an area of 42 × 88 m under cacao cultivation in which sampling points were established at a spacing of 6 × 8 m, for a total of 88 points. Samples were collected from the 0.00-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.30 m depth layers. Soil texture, aggregate stability, and organic carbon (OC) analyses were performed on disturbed soil samples. Undisturbed samples were used to determine soil macroporosity (Macro), microporosity (Micro), total porosity (TP), and soil resistance to penetration (RP). The results were analyzed by descriptive statistic, Pearson correlation (p<0.01), and geostatistics. Soil bulk density, total pore volume, and geometric mean diameter are dependent on the total amount of OC in the ADE area. Increased soil bulk density and RP are proportional to a decrease in OC content and lower Micro and TP. Moreover, soil resistance to penetration is influenced by soil water and clay content with depth.

As Terras Pretas Arqueológicas (TPAs) são unidades de solo que apresentam como características alta fertilidade, coloração escura e presença de fragmentos cerâmicos. Sobre a formação das TPAs, a hipótese mais bem aceita entre os pesquisadores é que essas foram originadas a partir de processos antrópicos provocados pelos homens pré-colombianos. Diante disso, objetivou-se caracterizar TPAs localizadas nos municípios de Apuí e Manicoré, na região sul do Estado do Amazonas. Foram selecionados sete locais de ocorrência de TPAs, sendo abertas trincheiras e os perfis do solo caracterizados morfologicamente. Procedeu-se à coleta de amostras de solo em cada horizonte para as seguintes análises físicas e químicas: composição granulométrica, argila dispersa em água, grau de floculação, densidade do solo, densidade de partículas e porosidade total, pH em água e KCl, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ e Al3+ trocáveis, P disponível, H+Al e C orgânico, além dos teores dos óxidos do ataque sulfúrico, óxidos livre e formas mal cristalizadas. A textura dos horizontes A antrópicos variaram de franco-arenosa a franco-argilosa. Os fragmentos cerâmicos e material lítico apresentaram-se em quantidades e profundidades semelhantes no horizonte A dos perfis estudados, sugerindo certa similaridade dos fatores antrópicos que promoveram sua formação. Os horizontes antrópicos dos perfis P3, P4 e P7 apresentaram caráter eutrófico e teores altos a muito altos de fósforo disponível, quando comparados aos perfis P1, P2, P5 e P6, evidenciando heterogeneidade das TPAs.

The Archaeological Dark Earth (ADE) soils are characterized by its high fertility, dark color, and presence of pottery fragments. Regarding the formation of ADE, the most widely accepted hypothesis is that anthropogenic processes involving pre-Columbian populations made them. The purpose of this study is to characterize ADE units located in the Southern Amazon Region, in the cities of Apuí and Manicoré. Seven ADE sites were selected, trenches opened and the soil profiles characterized morphologically. Then, samples of each horizon were collected for analyses of the following physical and chemical properties: particle size, water-dispersible clay, flocculation, soil bulk density, particle density, total porosity, pH in water and KCl solutions, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Al3+, available P, H+Al, and organic C. Also, total oxides, free oxides and amorphous forms were analyzed. The texture of the anthropic A horizon ranged from sandy loam to clay loam. The pottery fragments and lithic material were found in similar quantities and at similar depths in the A horizons of the studied soil profiles, suggesting some similarity between the anthropogenic factors of formation. The anthropic horizons of profiles P3, P4, and P7 had a eutrophic character and high to very high levels of available phosphorus, compared to P1, P2, P5, and P6, indicating the heterogeneity of the ADEs.