Changes in the porosity induced by tillage in typical Argiudolls of southeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and its relationship with the living space of the mesofauna: a preliminary study

Abstract

The study of structure is essential to understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic degradation of the environment. Continuous tillage has negative effects on soil structure. The structural heterogeneity of the soil is a key element which makes it possible for several functional groups of organisms to coexist in the soil. Thus, the soil provides a habitat for a vast array of small and large organisms residing permanently or temporarily within it. The aim of our work is to analyze the effect of tillage in typical Argiudolls of Los Padres Pound, in the pores morphology, size and roughness, and its relationship with the potential available habitat space of the mesofauna. We worked on a cultivated plot, for over 40 years, and referencing a plot with non-farmed soils. Size, number, and roughness of pore were determined. For mesofauna, they were taken into account previous studies in these soils. The results of this study proved such influence of tillage on soil structure in the cultivated plot. The modifications of physical properties resulting from tillage are due to the decrease in total porosity and the modification in the type, size, and roughness of the pores. The decrease in total porosity might influence the abundance and diversity of mesofauna in these typical Argiudolls.