Research article

SOIL PRODUCTIVE QUALITY THROUGH PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AT THE BOTANICAL PARK OF SUCUA CANTON, 2022

William Estuardo Carrillo Barahona, Juan Pablo Haro Altamirano, Miguel Angel Osorio Rivera, Sandra Elizabeth López Sampedro, Erick Javier Riera Guachichullca

Online First: February 22, 2023


The soil preservation takes a priority approach for all sectors of society since its damage adversely affects the components of nature and the life of the human being. Therefore, the objective was to determine the soil quality at the Botanical Park in the Sucúa canton through the analysis of physical, chemical, and biological indicators in the forest soils of the Botanical Park, in addition to the application of the Soil Quality Index and the Diversity Index. Methodology: The investigation was carried out with a mixed approach, randomly sampling 30 soil samples, and using a GPS to determine the sampling points of the botanical park area. These samples were collected at a depth of 20 cm, to be analyzed in the Science laboratory of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo where physical-chemical parameters such as humidity, bulk density, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and for the biological processes, the edaphic macrofauna of the place was identified. Results: The Soil Quality Index was evaluated presenting a class 2, which means high quality, evidenced by a high organic matter content, good water drainage and an optimal pH for plant growth and development. The biological analysis recognized that the haplotaxide family formed by a majority of earthworms was of greater importance in relation to the other organisms (detritivores/non-detritivores), which is an indicator of a high-quality soil. Implications: In order to maintain good quality soils in this place, it is recommended to study the soil considering the parameters already analyzed and making comparisons to identify if there are variations that disturb the quality of the soil. Conclusions: this evaluation responds to a cyclical process that integrates different physical, chemical, biological and biodiversity evaluation parameters, giving a value of 0.64 corresponding to a high-quality soil.

Keywords

soil; forestry; physical indicator; chemical indicator; biological indicator; soil quality index; diversity index