Changes in soil use affect the amount of clay and soil organic matter (SOM) and these, in turn, affect the aggregation. It was evaluated how different uses affect the aggregation of the micro-region of Brejo Paraibano. Three adjacent areas were evaluated with strongly wavy slope, being one of them native forest, and the other ones a cultivation of sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) and a pasture of brachiaria (Brachiaria decumbens). Soil samples were collected for determination of texture, macro and dry microaggregates (Macro-s e Micro-s) and humid (Macro-u e Micro-u), mean weight diameter of dry aggregates (DMPA-s) and humid (DMPA-u), index of aggregate stability (IEA), contents of SOM and its fractionation in fulvic acid (FA), humic acid (HA) and humin (HUM) at four depths: 0.0-2.5 cm, 2.5-5.0 cm, 5.0-10.0 cm and 10.0-20.0 cm. It was observed that the amount of clay, SOM, HUM, Macro-s, Macro-u, DMPA-s, DMPA-u and IEA are always higher in native forest, at all depths. The cultivation of sabiá has presented higher contents of HA fraction and smaller amounts of Macro-u past two depths in relation to pasture. The HUM has shown better correlation with soil aggregation. Changes in the soil use have caused soil degradation in the microrregion of Brejo Paraibano.
native forest; pasture; Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia.
