Evaluación de diferentes propiedades físico-químicas del suelo en cuatro diferentes coberturas vegetales en una zona altoandina

Abstract

Vegetation cover in the high Andean region has faced intense human pressure due to the growing demand for agricultural and livestock services, causing degradation and changes in the vegetation cover of this zone. This anthropogenic activity affects a wide range of ecological and biophysical processes. The importance of vegetation cover is that it provides organic matter, which is essential for maintaining soil health and associated biodiversity. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of the soil in the Sun Sun Yanasacha Protected Forest in the province of Azuay. Four types of vegetation cover were selected: natural forest, pine forest, grassland and pasture, and their effects on physical and chemical variables were analyzed. The results show significant differences between vegetation covers, highlighting that natural forest soils have a higher organic matter content and lower bulk density, which favors moisture retention and soil structural stability. In contrast, soils under pasture show greater compaction and lower organic matter content, which is associated with a decrease in water and nutrient retention capacity. In addition, chemical properties vary between coverages, indicating that changes in soil use can influence the fertility and stability of the ecosystem. This study provides relevant information for soil management and conservation in high mountain areas, highlighting the importance of maintaining native vegetation covers to preserve soil structure and improve its resilience to environmental impacts.