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The Amazon rainforest region presents a phytophysiognomy that ranges from savannas to cerrados, all of them intimately associated to climate and soil characteristics. Evidence has been given that plant growth and development are affected by soil quality and seasonality, thus making it crucial to understand them and how they are related to each other in order to grasp the dynamics of the whole ecosystem. In this context, the goal of this research was to assess how seasonality, soil attributes, and root system biomass are related in natural cerrado, cerradão, and forest areas in southern Amazonas State, in Brazil. Soil samples were collected during dry (June/2018) and rainy (December/2018) seasons from three different layers 0.00–0.05m; 0.05–0.15m, and 0.15–0.30m deep. In each area ten sampling points were randomly chosen. Two kinds of soil samples were collected: the first using 4.0 cm height by 5.1cm internal-diameter soil sample rings; and the second were intact soil lumps. Physical and Chemical soil attributes assessed were macro-porosity (MaP), micro-porosity (MiP), total porosity (TP), soil density (SD), aggregates texture and stability (GMD and WAR), gravimetric humidity (HG), organic carbon (OC), exchangeable aluminum (Al3+), potential acidity (H+Al), sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and root biomass (RB). All data were analysed via Tukey t test and student T test to compare results between seasons and areas. Increasing vegetation density (cerrado < cerradão < forest) was followed by an increment in CEC and OC, showing the importance of these attributes to maintaining biodiversity in environments. In amazon cerrado, rainy season as well a sandier soil textures provided favourable conditions to the growth and development of plants’ root system. Soil attributes were little affected by seasonality, that had greater effect on MiP, TP, SD, and OC, leading to lesser values for these variables during rainy season.

The crop systems adopted in the Amazônia region have been studied several times in terms of the variability and to indicate the soil attributes more sensitive to the different crops. Thus, the objective of this work was to apply multivariate techniques in order to identify the chemical attributes most sensitive to environmental changes in different crop systems in Western Amazonia, Brazil. The research was conducted in five rural properties located in the Humaitá city region, Western Amazonia, Brazil. There were selected four environments with natural characteristics (Native Forest - NF) and five cropping systems (Grazing, Cassava, Açaí, Agroforestry and Reforestation). In the selected areas, soil samples were collected at depths layers of 0.0-0.05 m; 0.05-0.1 m and 0.1-0.2 m and the following chemical analyzes were performed: pH in water, Ca2+, Mg2+, K +, Resin-P, phosphorus bio-available particulate (Pbp), OC, Al3+, H++Al3+ and from these results SB, T, t, m% and V% were calculated. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to verify similarities between the crop systems in the attempt to relate the crops grown and the chemical attributes. The multivariate analysis was essential in the crop systems distinction, as well as to describe the relationship with the chemical properties. The results demonstrate and reinforce the existing variability between crop systems, with emphasis on the variation in crop systems, compared to natural environments.

Studying particle size distribution is important to understand soil structure and formation processes. This research aimed to assess the fractal dimension of soil texture in Indian Dark Earth (IDE) areas in southern Amazonas state under different land uses, as follows: two areas in the municipality of Apuí, one growing cocoa and the other coffee; a grassland area in the municipality of Manicoré; and a forest area in the municipality of Novo Aripuanã. A sampling grid containing 88 collection points (intersecting points on the grid) was established in each area, measuring 80 x 42 m for the cocoa and coffee-growing sites, and 80 x 56 m and 60 x 42 m for the grassland and forest areas, respectively. Soil samples were collected in soil core and as clumps at a depth of 0.0-0.20m to determine the structural physical properties and texture of the soil. The following physical attributes were assessed: texture (PSD), bulk density (BD), macroporosity (Macro), microporosity (Micro), total porosity (TP) and aggregate stability (GMD and WMD). The fractal dimension (D) of the soil texture was determined, followed by analysis of variance and comparison of the means using Tukey’s test (p≤0.05). Pearson’s correlation was applied to assess the correlation between variables. There was a significant difference between the IDEs studied, with a higher D value in the cocoa-growing area in relation to the other sites. Additionally, the larger the clay fraction, the higher the D value. Fractal dimension (D) showed a positive correlation with sand, clay, BD, Macro, GMD and WMD, and a negative correlation with silt, micro, TP. Based on the D values obtained, the ADE cultivated with cocoa showed superior quality in relation to the other areas studied.

The crop systems adopted in the Amazônia region have been studied several times in terms of the variability and to indicate the soil attributes more sensitive to the different crops. Thus, the objective of this work was to apply multivariate techniques in order to identify the chemical attributes most sensitive to environmental changes in different crop systems in Western Amazonia, Brazil. The research was conducted in five rural properties located in the Humaitá city region, Western Amazonia, Brazil. There were selected four environments with natural characteristics (Native Forest - NF) and five cropping systems (Grazing, Cassava, Açaí, Agroforestry and Reforestation). In the selected areas, soil samples were collected at depths layers of 0.0-0.05 m; 0.05-0.1 m and 0.1-0.2 m and the following chemical analyzes were performed: pH in water, Ca2+, Mg2+, K +, Resin-P, phosphorus bio-available particulate (Pbp), OC, Al3+, H++Al3+ and from these results SB, T, t, m% and V% were calculated. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to verify similarities between the crop systems in the attempt to relate the crops grown and the chemical attributes. The multivariate analysis was essential in the crop systems distinction, as well as to describe the relationship with the chemical properties. The results demonstrate and reinforce the existing variability between crop systems, with emphasis on the variation in crop systems, compared to natural environments.

Studying particle size distribution is important to understand soil structure and formation processes. This research aimed to assess the fractal dimension of soil texture in Indian Dark Earth (IDE) areas in southern Amazonas state under different land uses, as follows: two areas in the municipality of Apuí, one growing cocoa and the other coffee; a grassland area in the municipality of Manicoré; and a forest area in the municipality of Novo Aripuanã. A sampling grid containing 88 collection points (intersecting points on the grid) was established in each area, measuring 80 x 42 m for the cocoa and coffee-growing sites, and 80 x 56 m and 60 x 42 m for the grassland and forest areas, respectively. Soil samples were collected in soil core and as clumps at a depth of 0.0-0.20m to determine the structural physical properties and texture of the soil. The following physical attributes were assessed: texture (PSD), bulk density (BD), macroporosity (Macro), microporosity (Micro), total porosity (TP) and aggregate stability (GMD and WMD). The fractal dimension (D) of the soil texture was determined, followed by analysis of variance and comparison of the means using Tukey’s test (p≤0.05). Pearson’s correlation was applied to assess the correlation between variables. There was a significant difference between the IDEs studied, with a higher D value in the cocoa-growing area in relation to the other sites. Additionally, the larger the clay fraction, the higher the D value. Fractal dimension (D) showed a positive correlation with sand, clay, BD, Macro, GMD and WMD, and a negative correlation with silt, micro, TP. Based on the D values obtained, the ADE cultivated with cocoa showed superior quality in relation to the other areas studied.

The soil and vegetation characteristics of the southern Amazonas region include highly weathered soils, high aluminum content and some hydromorphic conditions, its vegetation is composed from grasslands to small isolated trees and forest galleries along the rivers streams. In this way, this work aims to characterize and classify the soil in areas of clean field, dirty field, and forest in Humaitá region AM. Soil trenches were opened in the clean field, dirty field, and forest environments, soil profiles were morphologically characterized, and samples were collected from their horizons. Physical analysis of texture, dispersed clay in water, flocculation, bulk density, particle density and porosity were performed. The chemical analyzes included pH and KCl in water; Ca, Mg, K, Al, and; available P; H+Al and organic C; SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 sulfuric attack. The soils were classified according to criteria established by the Brazilian System of Soil Classification and Soil Taxonomy. The forest, dirty field (high) and clean field (low) showed different soil types, Typic Dystrudept for the first two environments and Typic Fluvaquents for last. Multivariate techniques expressed the similarity relations presenting between the different environments studied, characterizing, which are of great importance in the relation landscape-soil studies.

The soil and vegetation characteristics of the southern Amazonas region include highly weathered soils, high aluminum content and some hydromorphic conditions, its vegetation is composed from grasslands to small isolated trees and forest galleries along the rivers streams. In this way, this work aims to characterize and classify the soil in areas of clean field, dirty field, and forest in Humaitá region AM. Soil trenches were opened in the clean field, dirty field, and forest environments, soil profiles were morphologically characterized, and samples were collected from their horizons. Physical analysis of texture, dispersed clay in water, flocculation, bulk density, particle density and porosity were performed. The chemical analyzes included pH and KCl in water; Ca, Mg, K, Al, and; available P; H+Al and organic C; SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 sulfuric attack. The soils were classified according to criteria established by the Brazilian System of Soil Classification and Soil Taxonomy. The forest, dirty field (high) and clean field (low) showed different soil types, Typic Dystrudept for the first two environments and Typic Fluvaquents for last. Multivariate techniques expressed the similarity relations presenting between the different environments studied, characterizing, which are of great importance in the relation landscape-soil studies.

Archeological Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertility soils that are notoriously superior to the vast majority of soils typical of the Amazon region. The study on ADEs has intensified due to the good characteristics presented by these soils, such as high concentration of nutrients (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium). In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of soil chemical attributes in an area of black archeological earth soil under cocoa cultivation in the municipality of Apuí (AM). The mapping of a 42 x 88 m mesh, with irregular spacing of 6 x 8 m, totaling 88 points, was carried out, and then soil samples were collected at depths of 0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; (pH, O.C, Sto C, (H+Al), P, K, Ca, Mg, SB, CEC and V%). Data were analyzed using descriptive and geostatistical statistics techniques. The mean and median values were adjusted to the near values, indicating normal distribution, while the soil chemical attributes were adjusted to the spherical and exponential semivariograms models. The majority of the attributes presented coefficient of variation (CV) between 12.1 and 60%, characterized as average variability, the variables in the study presented different ranges and most of them had a strong spatial dependence. The geostatistical techniques used allowed the adjustments of the theoretical models that best represented the experimental semivariance, thus enabling the construction of thematic maps of the spatial distribution of the values of the attributes of the studied area.

Archeological Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertility soils that are notoriously superior to the vast majority of soils typical of the Amazon region. The study on ADEs has intensified due to the good characteristics presented by these soils, such as high concentration of nutrients (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium). In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of soil chemical attributes in an area of black archeological earth soil under cocoa cultivation in the municipality of Apuí (AM). The mapping of a 42 x 88 m mesh, with irregular spacing of 6 x 8 m, totaling 88 points, was carried out, and then soil samples were collected at depths of 0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; (pH, O.C, Sto C, (H+Al), P, K, Ca, Mg, SB, CEC and V%). Data were analyzed using descriptive and geostatistical statistics techniques. The mean and median values were adjusted to the near values, indicating normal distribution, while the soil chemical attributes were adjusted to the spherical and exponential semivariograms models. The majority of the attributes presented coefficient of variation (CV) between 12.1 and 60%, characterized as average variability, the variables in the study presented different ranges and most of them had a strong spatial dependence. The geostatistical techniques used allowed the adjustments of the theoretical models that best represented the experimental semivariance, thus enabling the construction of thematic maps of the spatial distribution of the values of the attributes of the studied area.

Natural grasslands with savannah-like characteristics associated to forest mosaics are found within Southern and Eastern Amazonas, Western Rondônia and Northern Roraima, being conditioned to local edaphic factors. The aim of this study was to assess both physical and geospatial attributes of an Cambisol under natural grasslands and an Ultisol under a forest fragment in Humaitá - AM, Brazil. In each area, we established a sampling grid in the dimensions of 70 × 70 m, with regular sampling spacing of 10 m and three collection depths: 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m, totaling 192 sampling points. Macroporosity (MaP), microporosity (MiP), bulk density (Ds) and total porosity (TP) were determined by soil samples with preserved structure, using a volumetric ring. Soil resistance to penetration (SRP) was measured by an automatic penetrometer after being subjected to a 0.006 MPa tension. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics and geostatistics analysis. The soil under natural grasslands showed values considered critical of Ds, SRP, MaP at all evaluated depths, with significant values at 0.10-0.20 m layer of 1.54 kg dm-3; 2.08 MPa and 0.05 m3 m-3, respectively. Ultisol under the forest fragments showed higher range values and consequently greater geospatial continuity due to the assessed physical attributes, since this soil has a greater stability of its physical structure. Based on the physical properties of the soil, structural function ineffectiveness of the Ultisol is a key factor for the occurrence of grassland in this region.

Natural grasslands with savannah-like characteristics associated to forest mosaics are found within Southern and Eastern Amazonas, Western Rondônia and Northern Roraima, being conditioned to local edaphic factors. The aim of this study was to assess both physical and geospatial attributes of an Cambisol under natural grasslands and an Ultisol under a forest fragment in Humaitá - AM, Brazil. In each area, we established a sampling grid in the dimensions of 70 × 70 m, with regular sampling spacing of 10 m and three collection depths: 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m, totaling 192 sampling points. Macroporosity (MaP), microporosity (MiP), bulk density (Ds) and total porosity (TP) were determined by soil samples with preserved structure, using a volumetric ring. Soil resistance to penetration (SRP) was measured by an automatic penetrometer after being subjected to a 0.006 MPa tension. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics and geostatistics analysis. The soil under natural grasslands showed values considered critical of Ds, SRP, MaP at all evaluated depths, with significant values at 0.10-0.20 m layer of 1.54 kg dm-3; 2.08 MPa and 0.05 m3 m-3, respectively. Ultisol under the forest fragments showed higher range values and consequently greater geospatial continuity due to the assessed physical attributes, since this soil has a greater stability of its physical structure. Based on the physical properties of the soil, structural function ineffectiveness of the Ultisol is a key factor for the occurrence of grassland in this region.