Carbon and nutrient dynamics in landscapes under different levels of anthropogenic intervention in the semi-arid region of Brazil

A mosaic of landscapes can be seen in the semi-arid region of Brazil as a result of anthropogenic activity (i.e. deforestation). These changes can lead to a reduction in soil carbon (C) and nutrient stocks, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. With this in mind, was evaluated both C and nutrient stocks dynamics in various landscapes in the semi-arid region of Brazil under different levels of anthropogenic intervention, including landscapes of preserved Caatinga (CAA), regenerating Caatinga (REGE) and deforested Caatinga (DEFA) located in the municipality of Floresta, Sertão of Pernambuco, and landscapes of the following forage cactus clones: ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ - Sertão (OEM-S), ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ - Agreste (OEM-A), and ‘IPA-Sertânia’ - Agreste (IPA-A) these last two located in the municipality of Pesqueira, Agreste of Pernambuco. Soil samples were collected at four depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm) and the physico-chemical (field capacity, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, sand, silt and clay) properties and stocks of C, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ were quantified. Data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Conover-Iman mean test (for k samples) (p