Efeitos do reflorestamento na macrofauna do solo em áreas degradadas da Amazônia maranhense: enfoque na família Formicidae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Brazil has established itself as one of the world's largest producers in the primary sector, which has intensified pressure on natural ecosystems, particularly in the Amazon region of Maranhão, considered a significant agricultural frontier in the country. Deforestation, driven by cattle ranching, large-scale agriculture, and slash-and-burn practices, threatens biodiversity, especially soil macrofauna, which plays critical roles in ecosystem functioning. This study aims to investigate the effects of different reforestation models, involving distinct tree species, on surface soil fauna in degraded areas of family farming in the Amazon region of Maranhão.The research was conducted across 11 rural family farms, employing three vegetation restoration models: Reforestation, Agroforestry Systems (AFS), and Silvopastoral Systems. To measure the abundance, diversity, and evenness of soil macrofauna, pitfall traps were used. Sampling was carried out during two periods—the peak of the dry season and the end of the rainy season—which represent the most stable population levels. This study demonstrated that the Agroforestry System (AFS) exhibited greater diversity and evenness. Species richness was significantly influenced by the seasonality of the rainy period. It is worth noting that these results could be more closely aligned with the study's objectives. We recommend strengthening the connection between land-use models and observed biological indicators to enhance the analysis.The most abundant orders were Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, with ants (Formicidae) dominating all other groups in both sampling periods. These findings indicate that soil macrofauna exhibits consistent variations in agroforestry systems, reflecting the complexity and functionality of these ecosystems.The results reinforce that agroforestry systems promote greater diversity and evenness of soil macrofauna, highlighting their importance in the ecological recovery of degraded areas and the enhancement of environmental sustainability.