Environmental fragility of wetland soils in the Cerrado biome: implications for conservation and management

Understanding the morphological characteristics and the physical and chemical attributes of the soil is fundamental for the conservation of landscapes, especially those with fragile soils. This study aimed to characterize soils representative of the Pandeiros River wetland, in the Cerrado biome, identifying them as to their fragility, through the analysis of morphological, physical and chemical attributes, providing the basis for the development of strategies for conservation and management of these areas. Seven soil profiles located in the lower third of the Pandeiros River basin, formed by sediments of mineral and organic origin, were collected. Soil pits were opened, the profiles were described morphologically, and then soil chemical and physical analyses were performed to characterize soil organic matter. The morphological attributes of the soils were influenced by the type of parent material (organic and mineral) and by the relief and drainage conditions. The studied soils are considered fragile and need special attention regarding their management and conservation. In the study area, soil vulnerability is determined by different factors and can be stratified in decreasing order as follows: Histosols > Gleysols > Fluvisols > Cambisols > Planosols. Despite the different degrees of vulnerability observed in the soil profiles, as all occur in an environment of great environmental importance, the study area requires full protection of its soils and associated vegetation to perpetuate the development of its ecological and environmental functions. Such detailed knowledge on soil attributes is especially important for the maintenance of soil functions. This study significantly contributes to the definition of policies of conservation and protection of wetlands, especially those that are located in conservation units of sustainable use.