Pedofauna diversity in traditional and agroforestry systems of the Brazilian semi-arid region

Identifying the impact of agricultural management on soil invertebrates is still a challenge to research in the area of soil ecology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity, richness, abundance and uniformity of the pedofauna in areas of traditional agroforestry systems involving burning (with intensive use, and after six and nine years of fallow) and a less-impacted system (BUSH) in the semi-arid region of Brazil. To do this, pitfall traps were installed along five transects in each system, and pedofauna diversity was analysed over seven consecutive days in the dry and rainy seasons. The collected invertebrates were classified into taxonomic groups, and their diversity, richness, abundance and uniformity were studied. During the dry season, the agroforestry systems showed low pedofauna diversity and uniformity, but with a richness similar to that of the BUSH system, whereas the traditional systems with fallow periods of six and nine years presented high diversity and uniformity. During the rainy season, the agroforestry systems had similar pedofauna abundance and richness compared to the BUSH system. The traditional fallow systems showed an abundance, richness, diversity and uniformity similar to the results under the BUSH system. Compared to the other areas, the traditional systems showed the greatest abundance and a similar richness, but less diversity and uniformity. When water is available, agroforestry systems support a diversity and uniformity of pedofauna similar to the less-impacted system.