Soil Macrofauna Diversity in Threatened Veredas in Two Protected Areas of the Brazilian Cerrado

Environmental degradation in veredas, hygrophilous communities of the Brazilian Cerrado, does not necessarily reduce soil macrofauna diversity but instead may favor certain functional groups, such as herbivores and detritivores, which adapt to altered conditions. This restructuring of communities, rather than a simple decline in biodiversity, was observed in a study comparing preserved (Almescla) and degraded (Peruaçu) veredas in northern Minas Gerais. Researchers analyzed soil macrofauna using pitfall traps across 24 plots per site, recording over 5000 arthropod individuals belonging to four classes, 20 orders, 89 families, and 396 morphospecies. Ants (Formicidae) were the most abundant group, influencing higher macrofauna occurrence in degraded areas due to their adaptability. The study underscores the importance of conservation efforts to maintain vegetation structure and litter deposition, ensuring the preservation of soil biodiversity in threatened ecosystems.

Alves, A. B., de Araújo, W. S., Costa, L. V. A., Gonçalves, M. F., Silva, S. C. O. e., Ruas, W. V. M., Nunes, Y. R. F., Veloso, R. B., & Veloso, M. d. D. M. (2026). Soil Macrofauna Diversity in Threatened Veredas in Two Protected Areas of the Brazilian Cerrado. Austral Ecology, 51(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70212