University of Coimbra study assesses impact of eucalyptus plantations on invertebrate communities

10 january, 2025≈ 3 min read

Recolha de amostras durante a investigação

Research led by researchers from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) has assessed the impact of eucalyptus plantations on soil invertebrate communities on a global scale, comparing these effects with those observed in other land uses.

The study was published in the journal Land Degradation & Development and involved researchers from the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), and the Santa Catarina State University, Brazil.

"The results show that the density of soil invertebrates is lower in eucalyptus plantations than in other forest plantations, but higher than in grasslands and integrated crop-livestock-forestry, and that diversity is lower in eucalyptus plantations than in native forests, yet higher when compared with other forestry plantations. In addition, the effects depend on the type of plantation, average annual temperature and rainfall," says Raquel Juan-Ovejero, a researcher at the CFE and the University of Vigo.

To achieve the objectives of the research, the scientists conducted a global meta-analysis that combined scientific evidence from 26 published studies, allowing them to compare the effects of eucalyptus plantations with those of other land uses, including native forests, other forestry plantations, croplands, grasslands, integrated crop-livestock-forestry, and invasive copses. The research also sought to identify factors that influence these effects, such as the type of plantation and climatic variables.

The study leader believes that "to improve our understanding of the effects of eucalyptus plantations on invertebrates, soils and biodiversity in general, it is important to integrate information on soil physical and chemical properties, tree age, sampling methods and forest management practices into future studies. The results we obtained are very relevant to both the advancement of scientific knowledge and forest management practice.”

According to the experts, invertebrates play a fundamental role in ecosystems, such as decomposing organic matter and cycling nutrients. "By better understanding the effects of these plantations on these organisms, forest managers can adopt practices that minimise negative impacts on invertebrates, thereby promoting soil health and the maintenance of ecological functions,” says Raquel Juan-Ovejero, further adding that "the study contributes to the development of more balanced management strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of eucalyptus plantations and ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems," she concludes.

The scientific article “Effects of Eucalypt Monoculture Plantations on Soil Invertebrate Communities: A Meta-Analysis” is available here.