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Degradation, management , and classification of soils from alluvial-gold mine spoils in the Peruvian Amazon
  • +15
  • Velasquez Ramirez, M G,
  • Nazario Rios, J ,
  • Gobin, A,
  • Pillaca, M,
  • Thomas, E,
  • Román U,
  • Guerrero Barrantes, J,
  • Becerra Lira, E,
  • Muñoz Ushñahua, A,
  • Nascimento Herbay, P,
  • Rodriguez Achata L,
  • Garate Quispe, J,
  • Malpica, S,
  • Russo, R,
  • Abril, M,
  • Dionisio, L,
  • Corvera Gomringer, R,
  • del Castillo Torres, D
Velasquez Ramirez, M G
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Nazario Rios, J
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
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Gobin, A
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Departement Aard- en Omgevingswetenschappen
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Pillaca, M
Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica
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Thomas, E
Alliance of Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture - Americas Hub
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Román U
Universidad Nacional de Piura
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Guerrero Barrantes, J
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
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Becerra Lira, E
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana
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Muñoz Ushñahua, A
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana
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Nascimento Herbay, P
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana
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Rodriguez Achata L
Universidad Nacional Amazonica de Madre de Dios
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Garate Quispe, J
Universidad Nacional Amazonica de Madre de Dios
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Malpica, S
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
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Russo, R
Universidad De La Salle
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Abril, M
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
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Dionisio, L
Universidade Federal do Para - Campus Castanhal
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Corvera Gomringer, R
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana
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del Castillo Torres, D
Instituto de Investigacion de la Amazonia Peruana
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Abstract

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) significantly contribute to land degradation in the Amazon, carried out by individual miners or small enterprises with limited capital. This practice exerts increasing pressure on biodiversity-rich forests. Due to limited information on edaphic conditions crucial for the restoration of these degraded areas, we employed a soil evaluation method in representative sites of the Peruvian Amazon, including two native communities and one protected natural area. The categorization of ASGM degraded areas into Cultural Landscape Units (CLUs) was confirmed and validated. Sentinel-2 and UAV remote sensing revealed over 122,000 ha deforested since the 1980s. Surface and soil profile assessments identified extreme new soil conditions with low chemical and physical fertility, characterized by coarse texture and rock fragments, hindering revegetation, especially during prolonged drought seasons. These degraded soils were classified as Entisols and Technosols according to Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base, respectively. Over time, natural regeneration and plantations improved soil formation, aligning with recognized soil classification systems. Given the current management practices, restoration planning should prioritize selected shrub and tree species, considering soil amendments to initiate soil recovery. This approach aligns with self-sustained successional stages and contributes to the objectives of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), Appropriate Mitigation and Adaptation Actions (NAMAs), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
22 Feb 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Apr 20241st Revision Received
22 Apr 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Apr 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Apr 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Sep 20242nd Revision Received
25 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
25 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
25 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Accept