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Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico

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  • Daniela Figueroa

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
    Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

  • Patricia Ortega-Fernández

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
    Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de Información Geoespacial, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico City 14240, Mexico)

  • Thalita F. Abbruzzini

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
    Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

  • Anaitzi Rivero-Villlar

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

  • Francisco Galindo

    (Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

  • Bruno Chavez-Vergara

    (Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

  • Jorge D. Etchevers

    (Colegio de Posgraduados, Campus Montecillos, Mexico State 56230, Mexico)

  • Julio Campo

    (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico)

Abstract

The effects of converting native forests to livestock systems on soil C, N and P contents across various climatic zones are not well understood for the tropical region. The goal of this study was to test how soil C, N and P dynamics are affected by the land-use change from natural forests to livestock production systems (extensive pasture and intensive silvopastoral systems) across a rainfall gradient of 1611–711 mm per year in the Mexican tropics. A total of 15 soil-based biogeochemical metrics were measured in samples collected during the dry and rainy seasons in livestock systems and mature forests for land-use and intersite comparisons of the nutrient status. Our results show that land-use change from natural forests to livestock production systems had a negative effect on soil C, N and P contents. In general, soil basal respiration and C-acquiring enzyme activities increased under livestock production systems. Additionally, reduction in mean annual rainfall affected moisture-sensitive biogeochemical processes affecting the C, N and P dynamics. Our findings imply that land-use changes alter soil C, N and P dynamics and contents, with potential negative consequences for the sustainability of livestock production systems in the tropical regions of Mexico investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Figueroa & Patricia Ortega-Fernández & Thalita F. Abbruzzini & Anaitzi Rivero-Villlar & Francisco Galindo & Bruno Chavez-Vergara & Jorge D. Etchevers & Julio Campo, 2020. "Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8656-:d:431124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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