Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia
Land degradation is the result of soil mismanagement that reduces soil productivity and environmental services. An alternative to improve degraded soils through reactivation of biogeochemical nutrient cycles (via litter production and decomposition) is the establishment of active restoration models...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2014-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/693981 |
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| author | Juan D. León Nelson W. Osorio |
| author_facet | Juan D. León Nelson W. Osorio |
| author_sort | Juan D. León |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Land degradation is the result of soil mismanagement that reduces soil productivity and environmental services. An alternative to improve degraded soils through reactivation of biogeochemical nutrient cycles (via litter production and decomposition) is the establishment of active restoration models using new forestry plantations, agroforestry, and silvopastoral systems. On the other hand, passive models of restoration consist of promoting natural successional processes with native plants. The objective in this review is to discuss the role of litter production and decomposition as a key strategy to reactivate biogeochemical nutrient cycles and thus improve soil quality in degraded land of the tropics. For this purpose the results of different projects of land restoration in Colombia are presented based on the dynamics of litter production, nutrient content, and decomposition. The results indicate that in only 6–13 years it is possible to detect soil properties improvements due to litter fall and decomposition. Despite that, low soil nutrient availability, particularly of N and P, seems to be major constraint to reclamation of these fragile ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9002bdf1a4b94e2c9a9ac0502581582e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2356-6140 1537-744X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Scientific World Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-9002bdf1a4b94e2c9a9ac0502581582e2025-02-03T01:12:38ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/693981693981Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of ColombiaJuan D. León0Nelson W. Osorio1Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Calle 59 A No. 63-20, Oficina 14-330, 050034 Medellín, ColombiaUniversidad Nacional de Colombia, Calle 59 A No. 63-20, Oficina 14-330, 050034 Medellín, ColombiaLand degradation is the result of soil mismanagement that reduces soil productivity and environmental services. An alternative to improve degraded soils through reactivation of biogeochemical nutrient cycles (via litter production and decomposition) is the establishment of active restoration models using new forestry plantations, agroforestry, and silvopastoral systems. On the other hand, passive models of restoration consist of promoting natural successional processes with native plants. The objective in this review is to discuss the role of litter production and decomposition as a key strategy to reactivate biogeochemical nutrient cycles and thus improve soil quality in degraded land of the tropics. For this purpose the results of different projects of land restoration in Colombia are presented based on the dynamics of litter production, nutrient content, and decomposition. The results indicate that in only 6–13 years it is possible to detect soil properties improvements due to litter fall and decomposition. Despite that, low soil nutrient availability, particularly of N and P, seems to be major constraint to reclamation of these fragile ecosystems.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/693981 |
| spellingShingle | Juan D. León Nelson W. Osorio Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia The Scientific World Journal |
| title | Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia |
| title_full | Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia |
| title_fullStr | Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia |
| title_short | Role of Litter Turnover in Soil Quality in Tropical Degraded Lands of Colombia |
| title_sort | role of litter turnover in soil quality in tropical degraded lands of colombia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/693981 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juandleon roleoflitterturnoverinsoilqualityintropicaldegradedlandsofcolombia AT nelsonwosorio roleoflitterturnoverinsoilqualityintropicaldegradedlandsofcolombia |