Land‐use change alters the stocks of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in a Haplic Cambisol in the Brazilian semi‐arid region

Land-use change (LUC) can impact soil quality. In semi-arid areas of Brazil, impacts LUC need to be understood for better management. This study evaluated the on organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) distributions through profile stocks a Haplic-Cambisol in Brazilian Semi-arid region. Three land-use systems (LUS) were investigated: agricultural management (30 years), regeneration under controlled grazing (25 years) after 5 years arable management, native dry forest. Soil contents P, total C, N, N fractions used calculate their stoichiometric ratios layers 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–40 cm. Data from these LUS compared using Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests. Changes microbial biomass reflected substantially reduced SOC concentration stock managed soils with that natural forest area. Total was not affected by LUC, although increases nitrate ammonium offset significantly fraction The largest P found land, followed grazed fallow site. influenced ratio Caatinga agriculture affecting equilibrium between residues’ input mineralization. resulted significant changes stocks, which did recover original values, even 25 grazing.