S11.03-P -6 CONSERVATIVE VS TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE: HOW DO THEY AFFECT SOIL FAUNA AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES? Conti Federica D.*[1], Gardi Ciro[2], Menta Cristina[1] [1]University of Parma ~ Evolutionary and Functional Biology ~ Parma ~ Italy [2]European Commission - DG JRC ~ Institute for Environment & Sustainability (IES) -Land Management & Natural Hazards Unit ~ Ispra (VA) ~ Italy Agriculture production relies on several functions provided by the soil fauna, including organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and dispersal, maintenance of soil structure and fertility. Traditional agriculture management practices have affected soil biodiversity in negative ways mainly due to tillage. Preserving environmental and soil “health” has become a priority in conservation programs in the last years. In order to realize the benefits of ecosystem services and to maintain and enhance crop productivity, conservation agriculture may represent an alternative to traditional techniques, seeing that it optimize the use of resources during the production cycle and it tend to reduce soil degradation. The targets of this study are to characterize and compare soil microarthropod communities in traditional and conservative agriculture fields cultivated principally with maize. Three sites in Lombardia Region (Northern Italy) were investigated in late 2010 and 2011: in provinces of Pavia, Lodi and Mantova. Soil fauna sampling consisted in three top soil cores (10x10x10 cm); microarthropods were extracted by using Berlese-Tüllgren funnels, identified to order level and counted, then biodiversity index and soil biological index (QBS-ar and QBS-c) were calculated. The results seemed to confirm that conservative agricultural practices allow to protect soil ecosystems. Soil cover and the highest amount of organic matter in conservative management fields consent to increase soil stability. Furthermore the low mechanical disturbance, in particular tillage absence, promote the presence of groups with morphologic characters strictly associated to edaphic life. Acknowledgements: Research supported by ERSAF Lombardia

Conservative vs traditional agriculture: how do they affect soil fauna and eco system services? / Conti, F. D. Gardi C.; Menta, Cristina. - (2012), pp. 2176-2176. (Intervento presentato al convegno Soil Science for the benefit of mankind and environment tenutosi a Bari nel 2-6 July 2012).

Conservative vs traditional agriculture: how do they affect soil fauna and eco system services?

MENTA, Cristina
2012-01-01

Abstract

S11.03-P -6 CONSERVATIVE VS TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE: HOW DO THEY AFFECT SOIL FAUNA AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES? Conti Federica D.*[1], Gardi Ciro[2], Menta Cristina[1] [1]University of Parma ~ Evolutionary and Functional Biology ~ Parma ~ Italy [2]European Commission - DG JRC ~ Institute for Environment & Sustainability (IES) -Land Management & Natural Hazards Unit ~ Ispra (VA) ~ Italy Agriculture production relies on several functions provided by the soil fauna, including organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and dispersal, maintenance of soil structure and fertility. Traditional agriculture management practices have affected soil biodiversity in negative ways mainly due to tillage. Preserving environmental and soil “health” has become a priority in conservation programs in the last years. In order to realize the benefits of ecosystem services and to maintain and enhance crop productivity, conservation agriculture may represent an alternative to traditional techniques, seeing that it optimize the use of resources during the production cycle and it tend to reduce soil degradation. The targets of this study are to characterize and compare soil microarthropod communities in traditional and conservative agriculture fields cultivated principally with maize. Three sites in Lombardia Region (Northern Italy) were investigated in late 2010 and 2011: in provinces of Pavia, Lodi and Mantova. Soil fauna sampling consisted in three top soil cores (10x10x10 cm); microarthropods were extracted by using Berlese-Tüllgren funnels, identified to order level and counted, then biodiversity index and soil biological index (QBS-ar and QBS-c) were calculated. The results seemed to confirm that conservative agricultural practices allow to protect soil ecosystems. Soil cover and the highest amount of organic matter in conservative management fields consent to increase soil stability. Furthermore the low mechanical disturbance, in particular tillage absence, promote the presence of groups with morphologic characters strictly associated to edaphic life. Acknowledgements: Research supported by ERSAF Lombardia
2012
Conservative vs traditional agriculture: how do they affect soil fauna and eco system services? / Conti, F. D. Gardi C.; Menta, Cristina. - (2012), pp. 2176-2176. (Intervento presentato al convegno Soil Science for the benefit of mankind and environment tenutosi a Bari nel 2-6 July 2012).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2438979
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