Suelos hortícolas y metodología AgroEcoIndex periurbano (AEIp): validación de indicadores de impacto ambiental = Horticultural soils and peri-urban AgroEcoIndex methodology (AEIp): validation of environmental impact indicators

Abstract

Los indicadores de impacto ambiental son herramientas en proceso de revisión y mejora permanente. Así, toda actividad enriquecedora del mismo permite contar con información certera del estado real de la situación evaluada. Dos han sido los objetivos del presente trabajo. Por un lado, validar los resultados de indicadores de impacto ambiental que fueron obtenidos con metodología AgroEcoIndex periurbano (AEIp) en suelos hortícolas. Por el otro, arribar a conclusiones sobre el estado general de dichos suelos a través de la comparación de éstos con suelos no cultivados y suelos de la zona donde se realizan otras actividades agropecuarias. Se realizó una comparación entre la media de los resultados de los suelos hortícolas y del suelo no trabajado, y un Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP) que incluye también los valores de referencia de suelos agrícola-ganaderos de la zona. Se observa una coincidencia parcial entre los datos obtenidos en los análisis de suelos, por un lado, y aquellos indicadores del AEIp referidos al balance de nitrógeno y al balance de fósforo por el otro. A su vez, los indicadores de riesgo de contaminación por nitrógeno y fósforo reflejan el estado actual de los suelos analizados. En conclusión, no se presentan indicios de degradación ni contaminación en los suelos de los establecimientos hortícolas analizados según la metodología empleada en este estudio y en comparación con otros suelos agrícolas de la zona.

Environmental impact indicators are tools in process of permanent revision and improvement. Thus, any enriching contribution towards them provides accurate information on the real state of the situation being evaluated. The following research has two objectives: To validate the results of environmental impact indicators obtained through the AgroEcoIndex periurban methodology (AEIp) in horticultural soils; and to arrive to conclusions on the general condition of such soils by comparing them with uncultivated soils as well as soils in the area where other agricultural activities are carried out. A comparison was made between the mean of the results of the horticultural soils and the uncultivated soil, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that also includes the reference values of agricultural soils in the area. A partial coincidence is observed between the data obtained in the soil analyses, and those indicators of the AEIp referring to nitrogen balance and phosphorus balance. In turn, the nitrogen and phosphorus contamination risk indicators reflect the current state of the soils analyzed. In conclusion, there are no signs of degradation or contamination in the soils of the analyzed horticultural establishments according to the methodology used in this study and in comparison, with other agricultural soils in the area.

ENG | Environmental impact indicators are tools in process of permanent revision and improvement. Thus, any enriching contribution towards them provides accurate information on the real state of the situation being evaluated. The following research has two objectives: To validate the results of environmental impact indicators obtained through the AgroEcoIndex periurban methodology (AEIp) in horticultural soils; and to arrive to conclusions on the general condition of such soils by comparing them with uncultivated soils as well as soils in the area where other agricultural activities are carried out. A comparison was made between the mean of the results of the horticultural soils and the uncultivated soil, and a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that also includes the reference values of agricultural soils in the area. A partial coincidence is observed between the data obtained in the soil analyses, and those indicators of the AEIp referring to nitrogen balance and phosphorus balance. In turn, the nitrogen and phosphorus contamination risk indicators reflect the current state of the soils analyzed. In conclusion, there are no signs of degradation or contamination in the soils of the analyzed horticultural establishments according to the methodology used in this study and in comparison, with other agricultural soils in the area.