2026-03-19

Forest residue removal undermines soil health and micronutrient transfer to trees, compromising sustainable productivity of Eucalyptus plantations

Antonio L. Florentino ^{a b c 1} , Nariane de Andrade ^{d 2} , Nikolas S. Mateus ^{a 3} , Bruna E. Schiebelbein ^{d 4} , Adam C. Rodrigues ^{c 5} , Liamara S. Masullo^{c 6} , Alexandre V. Ferraz ^{e 7} , Eduardo Mariano ^{a 8} , Fernando D. Andreote ^{d 9}, Carlos E.P. Cerri ^{d 10}, Maurício R. Cherubin ^{d f 11} , Timothy R. Filley ^{b 12}, José L.M. Gonçalves ^{b 13} , José Lavres ^{a 14}

^aCenter for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 134160-000, Brazil ^bDepartment of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA ^cDepartment of Forest Sciences, College of Agriculture “Luiz de Queiroz”, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil ^dDepartment of Soil Science, College of Agriculture “Luiz de Queiroz”, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil ^eInstituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais (IPEF), Piracicaba, SP 13415-000, Brazil ^fCenter for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

Highlights

Forest residue removal affected soil chemical and biological properties more than physical.
Decreased soil health impaired cycling of B, Cu, and Zn in the soil-plant system.
Biomass in leaves, branches, and bark of Eucalyptus decreased with forest residue removal.
Soil health index, soil C stocks, and Eucalyptus biomass were positively correlated.

Abstract

There is rising interest within the timber industry in using forest residues, such as leaves, branches, and bark, for bioenergy. However, environmental benefits of bioenergy production may be offset by negative effects on soil health (SH), plant nutrition, and forest productivity induced by intensive residue management. These trade-offs remain poorly quantified in tropical systems. We investigated the effects of forest residue removal (leaves, branches, bark, and litterfall) on SH by integrating physical, chemical, and biological indicators (at 0–20 cm depth) into SH index (SHI) and correlating them with soil C and N stocks, micronutrient (B, Cu, and Zn) accumulation, and biomass production in a 6.5–yr–old Eucalyptus plantation established on a tropical Rhodic Ferralsol. Overall, residue removal influenced 16 of 31 soil variables, decreased the SHI by 37 % compared with the residue maintenance treatment, reduced B, Cu, and Zn transfer within the soil–plant system, and lowered biomass production by 5–11 %, mainly in leaves, branches, and bark. Low SHI was more strongly associated with changes in soil chemical and biological indicators than with physical indicators. The SHI correlated positively with soil C stocks, total B, Cu, and Zn accumulation in trees, and biomass production. Forest residue removal negatively affected site quality for Eucalyptus cultivation, since residues supply nutrients and sustain essential soil functions, including nutrient cycling and C–N transformations. These effects are expected to intensify over successive rotations, demonstrating that intensive residue removal (e.g., full-tree harvesting) compromises the long-term productivity and sustainability of Eucalyptus plantations.