Reclaiming eroded red soil boosts fertility and reduces erosion dramatically.
The study looked at how soil microbes in eroded red soil changed after reclamation. They found that improving soil structure and nutrients decreased erosion and runoff, while increasing soil microbe activity. Reclaimed soil had more soil microbes, biomass, and enzymatic activity, leading to better soil fertility. Woodlands were better than grasslands, and broadleaf forests were better than conifer forests for soil health. Over time, the benefits of reclamation became more noticeable.