Attributes of Soil Under Agriculture, Grazing and Three Succession Stages of Forest

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate changes in the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and some physical properties (Bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity, mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter of aggregates) of a Inceptsol in forest fragments of the Atlantic Forest in early; intermediate and advanced stage, and compare them to pasture and agriculture (annual and perennial) areas. Secondary forests regeneration due to the recovery stage contributed to the increase of total organic carbon and macroporosity, reducing soil density values, and weighted geometric mean diameter of aggregates. In the pasture area Values of total organic carbon values, soil bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity and weighted mean and geometric diameters of aggregates were similar to those observed in forest areas. In the annual agriculture area we observed reduction of total organic carbon, macroporosity, and weighted mean and geometric diameter of aggregates and increased soil density according to the adopted management.