Background

This project has been the aim of project leader Matthew Fielding for 4 years. During his work in the Tambopata region he was in close contact with many local populations and regularly talked at length with the population about their livelihoods. This sparked his interest in the agriculture of the region; specifically the soils and their methods of cultivation.

Our simple aim of the expedition is to establish what state the soil is in and produce valuable data that will enable the soils to be used longer and more efficiently; potentially conserving other areas of important rainforest and securing income for families. We will be using many different methods of analysis for the project. All of which will be used in the field (the specific methods are detailed later in project specifics) and results will be produced in situ. Doran and Parkin (1994) have developed a list of basic soil properties or indicators for screening soil quality and health. They are as follow:

• Physical indicators including (1) soil texture, (2) depth of soils, topsoil or rooting, (3) infiltration, (4) soil bulk density, and (5) water holding capacity.
• Chemical indicators including (1) soil organic matter (OM), or organic carbon and nitrogen, (2) soil pH, (3) electric conductivity (EC), and (4) extractable N, P, and K.
• Biological indicators including (1) microbial carbon and nitrogen (2) potential mineralizable nitrogen (anaerobic incubation) and (3) soil respiration, water content, and soil temperature.

Aim:

To assess the importance of agricultural soil sustainability within a Subtropical Rainforest Ecosystem.

• Assess current soil status and plant diversity within differently managed areas
• Assess the abundance of palm sp Iriartea deltoidea in different forest types.
• Assess the importance of soil health for animal geophagy.
• Analyse soil samples in field lab using different assays to establish physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil from all sites.
• Use data to recommend improved management techniques and rehabilitation methods (if needed) to local land users.
• Compile data from all projects and produce a definitive report on soil health and sustainable management.
• Disseminate report in English and Spanish to all local collaborators and local/national institutions.

• Prior to initiation of data collection, the different habitats in which sampling is to take place will be selected. The selection will be based on prior knowledge of the local inhabitants, prior knowledge of the Field Supervisor and by visual selection. Collaboration between Peruvian locals and the expedition team will foster the understanding and knowledge transfer.
  
  
• Our plan is to create a functioning, efficient field lab based on the facilities already established. We have been allocated an area at the research station which we can use as a laboratory. We will be bringing all the equipment needed to obtain results with us. The main reasons for this plan is to demonstrate and teach the methods of soil analysis described below to students, farmers and land managers. The two-part aim of this is to empower these people to become responsible for their land and to assist us in accumulating data for the project.
  
  
• All sampling will be performed by the same person to eliminate inter operator error. Analyses in field lab will be performed either by operator or by field assistant and operator. For every soil sample taken a standard procedure will be established in the field lab. pH levels will be established from a soil solution sample. De-ionised water will be mixed with the sample and measured with a calibrated pH probe. N, P, and K will be measured using a simple indicator dip test on samples in solution

For each site selected, a corresponding control site will be selected in the nearest un-impacted area.
Six methods of analysis will be used to analyse soil health. Wet aggregate stability, meso fauna, organic matter content, pH, nitrogen levels and soil respiration rate will be studied.

1. Wet Aggregate Stability
Using Soil Quality Management System (SQMS) the aggregate stability of the soil will be measured by looking at the proportions of aggregate size when the sample is dropped from a recorded height.

2. Available N Levels
Using the standard technique for all soil samples.

3. Soil Meso-fauna Study
To observe the meso-fauna/soil invertebrate content of a soil sample using a Tullgren funnel. Will be a direct indicator of soil health.

4. Soil pH Levels
Using the standard technique for all soil samples.

5. Soil OM Content
To establish soil organic matter levels within the soil by a 'loss on ignition' test. Samples will be weighed before and after firing in an oven at high temperature (>400°C). The weight difference will show the amount of Carbon burnt off.

6. Soil Respiration
To assess soil microbial respiration rate by using a KOH trap. Then performing a back titration to find the amount of CO2 respired. Microbial biomass will be estimated using the Anderson & Domsch technique. This technique is based on finding out the maximum rate of 'soil' respiration by adding glucose to the substrate and calculating the proportional increase. I expect to find that the longer a site has been cultivated the lower the fertility. I.E. less OM, poor nutrient retention levels, large aggregate size, and low soil animal populations.

1. Site Identification
Three focal and 5 non-focal clay licks will be selected for sampling. Only the focal licks will be intensively monitored for animal activity. This is due to time and physical constraints of accessing more than 3 sites on a regular enough basis. Detailed soil analysis will be conducted on all 8 licks.

2. Soil Sampling
Soil at each site will be identified according to standard procedure (i.e. colour, texture, etc.) using a munsel chart. Two perpendicular transects will be made across each clay lick such that they form a cross in the centre of the lick. The soil will be sampled every 2 m along each transect going from forest-lick-forest (transect length determined by site size). Where clear horizons occur in the soil, samples will be taken from each horizon.

3. Sampling for Animal Use
"Track traps" or areas of smooth / raked soil will be marked, 15 on animal-made access trails and 15 in the surrounding forest (random selection). These will be checked for tracks every 24 hrs and tracks will be photographed and identified to species wherever possible. Any other obvious signs of animal presence (e.g. fresh faeces, feathers) will also be noted. Where possible, sites will be observed from a distance.

4. Environmental Factors
The topography and soil profiles of all sites will be sketched in detail. Detailed notes will be made on distance from and type of water source, estimated % canopy cover, any major distinguishing features.

5. Soil Properties
Soil particle size analysis (international pipette method) and mineral analysis (Na, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mg, K) will be carried out. Soil pH, conductivity and organic matter content, will also be analysed.

1. Forest edges due to active and abandoned agricultural sites will be examined. The primary tropical forest will be used as a control site.

2. Repeat measurements of each parameter will be taken for each transect. For active and abandoned site three repeat sample sites will have to be found (increasing to five depending on availability).

3. Atmospheric and soil temperature and moisture for each site will be measured at the quadrat sample area within that site along 200 m transects. Soil nutritional status and pH will be measured. Measurements within transects will be taken from forest edge at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50, 75 and 100m in either direction. Orientation of transect will be the same for each (preferably North to South).

4. Species diversity will be analysed by sampling a 200 m transect. Within this transect numerous 1 m quadrats will be examined. The number of individual plant species will be counted within the quadrat area (plants smaller than 10 cm and taller than 3 m above ground will not be counted). The canopy height within gap and forest will be recorded and the canopy cover within gap sample area will be recorded.

It is expected that the palm species Iriartea deltoidea can only establish in disturbed forest areas (i.e. felled areas) because it requires more open canopy gaps for growth. Sites to be chosen are as follows:

a) Secondary forest - with recently regenerated canopy gaps (i.e. < 30 years from present), through natural or anthropogenic disturbance.

b) Mature Phase forest - no sign of recent anthropogenic disturbance.

1. Enumerate the number of palms at each site. This is done by randomly selecting three sites along the forest edge and from those points, using a transect line (200m); count the number of palms 2m either side of the line at randomly chosen points.

2. Measure the age of palm trees. Choose a palm at each point along each transect and using a clinometer, measure its height (Adult >10m high).

3. At the position of each palm tree recorded, take a soil sample to determine its soil characteristics (soil profile, soil pH).

4. Record any other species present within the 2m boundary either side of the transect and compare abundance with that of Iriartea deltoidea.