Introduction
The Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse biomes on the planet, faces significant challenges due to human action. However, a recent study published in the journal Ecological Monographs reveals the crucial importance of large mammals in maintaining the fertility of this forest's soil. Conducted by researchers from the Center for Research in Biodiversity and Climate Change (CBioClima) at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), the study highlights how the presence of these animals alters the soil chemistry and increases the fertility of the Atlantic Forest.
The Influence of Large Mammals
By trampling, urinating, and defecating on the land, large mammals such as tapirs, peccaries, capybaras, and deer significantly influence the cycling of nutrients, altering the soil chemistry and the diversity of the litter layer. The litter layer, a layer of leaves, branches, and fruits that covers the forest floor, plays a fundamental role in regulating the ecosystem. According to Letícia Gonçalves Ribeiro, the first author of the study, the presence of these animals reduces the levels of aluminum in the soil, a nutrient that, at high levels, is harmful to plants. This adjustment contributes to a necessary balance between aluminum, pH, and calcium, factors essential for greater soil fertility.
Methods and Results
The experiment, conducted since 2009 in the Serra do Mar, involved comparing open and closed areas for animal passage. The plots, 15 square meters in size, were installed in the Carlos Botelho State Park, in São Miguel Arcanjo, in the Vale do Ribeira. The researchers analyzed soil and litter samples from areas with and without the presence of large mammals, revealing the importance of these animals for maintaining soil fertility and, by extension, for the long-term survival of the Atlantic Forest.
Implications and Challenges
The study's results emphasize the importance of protecting large mammals, often targeted by illegal hunting and with declining populations. Furthermore, another study by CBioClima, conducted in March, indicated that the absence of large mammals leads to a homogenization of the forest, as few plant species thrive without the presence of these animals. This highlights the need for conservation efforts that protect not only biodiversity but also the essential ecological processes for maintaining ecosystems.
Conclusion
Large mammals play a vital role in maintaining the fertility of the Atlantic Forest soil, influencing soil chemistry and litter diversity. The loss of these animals can have significant consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Therefore, it is essential that effective conservation strategies be implemented to protect these guardians of Atlantic Forest fertility.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/02/grandes-mamiferos-alteram-quimica-do-solo-e-aumentam-fertilidade-da-mata-atlantica/