Soil rehabilitation: a practical experience in an urban area in the Sertão of Alagoas

Abstract

In the semi-arid region of Brazil, population growth associated with technological advances and industrialization have promoted the expansion of the advancement of urbanization and agriculture at the expense of areas of the Caatinga biome. The processes of soil degradation and desertification are intensified by the change in land use to meet the demand for housing and food production. The soil rehabilitation for environmental landscaping purposes in Santana do Ipanema - AL, through the adoption of edaphic, mechanical and vegetative practices carried out collaboratively by students from the Animal Science course at the State University of Alagoas - UNEAL, was used as an instrument of education and promotion of paradigm shifts. Conservation practices implemented in the contour associated with mechanical barriers, mulch, planting in strips with Canavalia ensiformis as a cover crop led to increased levels of organic matter, P, Mg, Ca and CEC in the soil after 2 years. The increase in organic matter in the arable layer demonstrated its essential role in this region and its effect on plant development. The effectiveness of the techniques adopted in containing the erosive process was also observed. There was revegetation and a restructuring of the 0-20 cm deep soil layer, with positive effects on physical and chemical quality, increased biological activity and the restoration of the soil’s ecological and social functions. The experience allowed the perception of the long-term nature of pedogenetic processes and the awareness of the impacts that soil loss causes on the environment and food security.