Approach to assess agroecosystem anthropic disturbance: Statistical monitoring based on earthworm populations and edaphic properties

Abstract

Land degradation due to anthropic factors is the reduction of its actual or potential productivity. Nowadays, this topic is a major concern, as it affects more than one third of the soil in the world. This work presents an empirical assessment of the anthropic disturbance level (ADL) for agricultural and livestock production systems. This assessment is obtained by mapping the characteristics of land use and management practices by using five specific indicators and integrating them into a global indicator (ADL score). Earthworm populations (good indicators of soil quality) in soils under different production systems are studied to determine if the population changes are attributable to the intensity of land use and management practices. A correlation model between ADL, edaphic properties, and earthworm population characteristics is developed by using samples of 20 sites in Santa Fe province, Argentina. The inclusion of ADL allowed finding a consistent correlation structure. The results also showed that earthworm density, species diversity, and activity change at the different sites were highly sensitive to anthropic disturbance. Based on this data-driven model, the ADL can be estimated by measuring edaphic and biological data on a soil sample to monitor soil conditions for different production systems. Thus, ADL monitoring would allow deciding how to continue using and managing the land to improve its sustainability.