Soil quality indicators selection by mixed models and multivariate techniques in deforested areas for agricultural use in NW of Chaco, Argentina

• Soil quality was measured in native forest soils cleared for agricultural use in an area without available information.
• The selection by univariate analysis with mixed models and multivariate techniques was effective to select sensitive parameters to unaltered and disturbed soils.
• A selected soil quality indicators (SQI) set was obtained.
• Total organic carbon was the most sensitive indicator.
• Land use change caused soil degradation in relation to pristine condition.

Soil quality (SQ) is a multidimensional concept based on the use of indicators. Indicators integrated assessment gives much more information than individual data and a select set of parameters; solve operational and economic aspects of measurement and monitoring. One of the most important effects of Land Use Change (LUC) is the alteration of original properties of native forest soil. Chaco province has no previous published studies on soil quality (SQ) for cleared lands. In Argentina between 1956 and 2000s the most significant changes occurred in West Subhumid Chaco, where crops expansion and deforestation were the highest of the country. The objectives of this study were: (1) to select SQI in native forest soils cleared for agricultural use in an area of Chaco province under LUC without available information; (2) to obtain values from these indicators for this environment, in order to increase current knowledge about LUC effects. Results show that LUC caused a significant degradation in these parameters compared with soil of pristine condition, affecting physical and chemical quality in a relatively short time. TOC was the most sensitive indicator and decreased between 40 and 11% in cleared sites at surface. The selection by mixed models in a first step and then by multivariate techniques was effective because some variables were more consistent to discriminate in the complete dataset the unaltered condition (NF) of the disturbed (CL), taking into account the inherent variability of sampling sites and depths. Selected indicators were: total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), total nitrogen (N), bulk density (Bd), and EF (erodible fraction); high correlation between some of them would allow performing an even tight selection. These indicators varied in performance between studied depths. This SQI set is feasible to recommend as a tool for soil health diagnostic and monitoring, prior to granting management plans currently submitted within the legal framework of native forests.