Soil fauna as bioindicators of soil degradation and restoration in the Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract

Soil fauna is a relevant component for assessing environmental conditions and may respond to changes resulting from soil use, management, degradation, and recovery. In the Brazilian semiarid region, the interpretation of these responses is also influenced by marked climatic seasonality. This review aimed to synthesize scientific evidence on the response of soil fauna to soil degradation and restoration practices in the Brazilian semiarid region, identifying taxonomic groups, ecological attributes, and indicators with potential to assess environmental quality and recovery. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 recommendations, with searches in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and Google Scholar. Original studies presenting primary data on soil-associated organisms and relationships with land use, degradation, management, conservation, or restoration were included. A total of 20 studies were included in the synthesis, published between 2008 and 2026. Nine studies (45%) assessed land use, occupation, or management, five (25%) investigated seasonality or precipitation, and three (15%) addressed recovery or restoration. Richness, abundance, diversity, and community composition were the most frequently assessed attributes. The results showed differentiated responses among groups and environmental conditions, as well as changes associated with climatic seasonality and vegetation cover. It is concluded that soil fauna has potential to contribute to assessments of soil conditions and recovery in the Brazilian semiarid region.