Impact of deforestation and subsequent land-use change on soil quality

Deforestation for conventional farming has affected soil quality (SQ) worldwide. The goal of our study was to evaluate the impact land use change, from forest subsistence farming, on SQ in Benin. Composite soils forest, horticultural, agricultural, fallow, and degraded lands were collected analyze chemical physical properties. Using inductive additive approach principal component analysis (PCA), generalized (SQIg) minimum dataset (SQIMDS) indices calculated. Results showed that upon conversion total organic carbon (TOC) decreased by more than 2 folds fallow soils. A similar observed nitrogen (TN). Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) base saturation (BS) significantly higher under horticulture lands. In contrast, protection (CPC) 12-41% compared lowest Among uses, aggregate stability index (ASI) was, far, (3.2%) highest (7.5%) Soils had SQIg 5 16%, when with indicating a significant degradation. increased 5%, suggesting or even an improvement comparable forest. PCA-based SQIMDS positively accounted 70% variability non-significant biasness (6 ± 3.8% at p<0.12). TOC CPC contributed most (20.9% 21.1%) followed clay (14.1%) Ca+2: (Mg+2 + K+1 Na+) (13.7%), (11%), ASI (10.5%) K+ (9.7%) account variability. Our results concluded there no difference between SQIMDS, which justified detecting management-induced changes SQ.