Edaphic macrofauna and physicochemical properties of the soil in a non-traditional coffee (Coffea canephora) crop and a silvopastoral system in Córdoba, Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is recognized worldwide for its production of high-quality coffee, which is one of the pillars
of its agricultural economy and a central element of its productive identity. In light of the challenges
posed by climate variability and the growing demand for Coffea canephora, efforts have been made
to evaluate its cultivation in non-traditional areas such as the department of Córdoba. This study
compared the structure of edaphic macrofauna and the physicochemical properties of the soil between
a three-year-old coffee monoculture (CCS) and a silvopastoral system (SPS) that had been implemented
for more than 15 years in the Turipaná Research Center of AGROSAVIA in Cereté, Córdoba. Samples
were collected in triplicate at two depth strata (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). A total of 344 individuals were
recorded, with no differences in abundance between the systems. However, the silvopastoral system
exhibited greater taxonomic richness, with 13 orders and 29 morphospecies compared to six orders
and 13 morphospecies in the coffee system, a difference supported by the Margalef index (p = 0.0475).
The physicochemical variables–volumetric moisture and electrical conductivity–were significantly
higher in the silvopastoral system. Organic matter contents were similar between the two systems.
The results provide a favorable preliminary indicator of the agroecological viability of coffee in the
region, although medium- and long-term assessments are recommended to determine the trajectory of
edaphic biodiversity under this production system.