Challenges in the Management of Environmentally Fragile Sandy Soils in Southern Brazil

Quartzipsamments are environmentally fragile soils, being highly susceptible to water and wind erosion. Despite this, it seems that political economic issues favor the advancement of agriculture in these soils. Therefore, studies necessary for a better understanding soils minimize impacts land use. This work aims characterize morphological, physical–hydric, chemical properties under sandyzation southwest Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Soil morphology was evaluated six profiles areas native field with presence gullies, soil samples preserved non-preserved structures were collected evaluate physical–hydric properties. We verified have high macroporosity (0.253 0.373 m3 m−3) saturated hydraulic conductivity (127.85 672.26 mm h−1), predominantly low organic matter (0.05 2.36%) clay (23.03 126.29 g kg−1) content, but correlation analysis showed increasing pH can improve fertility volume available plants (0.006 0.038 potential risk leaching aquifer contamination. The use demands adoption conservation practices.