Impacts of human activity on tropical soil quality in relation to future land productivity and biodiversity, May 2008

Alternative Title

Impactos de la actividad humana sobre la calidad del suelo tropical en relación con la productividad futura de la tierra y la biodiversidad

Creator

Lauren Bolte

Files

Publication Date

May 2008

Abstract

The high rates of tropical forest clearing followed by intensive agriculture may significantly degrade the soil’s original nutrient content and chemical composition, reducing future productivity and future restoration efforts. Land use impacts were determined by collecting soil samples from four sites in San Luis, Costa Rica. Three areas presented different agricultural uses, and the fourth was an area of forest, comparatively untouched by human activity. To evaluate existing nutrient levels, six tests were conducted from three soil samples from each site: ph, N, P, K, Al and Fe. Trends were found in that the site with the heaviest land use experienced the most change in nutrient levels compared to the forest soil. The three different agricultural areas displayed differing results, even as they were all within the same farming community, no more than 15m from one another.

Resumen

Las altas tasas de deforestación en los bosques tropicales debido a la agricultura pueden degradar significativamente el contenido original de los nutrientes y la composición química de los suelos, reduciendo la productividad futura y los esfuerzos de restauración. Los impactos del uso del suelo fueron determinados mediante la recopilación de muestras del suelo en cuatro sitios en San Luis, Costa Rica.

Keywords

Agricultural intensification, Soils composition, CIEE Spring 2008

Palabras claves

Intensificación agrícola, Composición del suelo, CIEE Primavera 2008

Extent

12 pages

Geographic Location

San Luis (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00447

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Bolte, Lauren, "Impacts of human activity on tropical soil quality in relation to future land productivity and biodiversity, May 2008" (2008). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 258.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/258