# Brazil: forest topsoil on degraded pasture more than doubled native plant diversity in 3 years

- Published: 2026-11-15 19:52 UTC
- Section: Planet › Ecology & recycling
- Tags: forest restoration, Atlantic Forest Brazil, topsoil transfer, invasive grass cover, native tree diversity, degraded pasture, soil microorganisms, Ecological Engineering
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-ebca332a7b7a137e4070d577_brazil_forest_topsoil/

**Researchers in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region moved topsoil from healthy forest to degraded grassland. After three years, invasive grass cover fell by more than 60%.**

![Brazil: forest topsoil on degraded pasture more than doubled native plant diversity in 3 years](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/9032fa9626428382.jpg)
*sozcu.com.tr*

Researchers tested a forest restoration method on degraded grasslands in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, according to sozcu.com.tr. The topsoil layer was taken from healthy forest areas and moved to sites where vegetation was to be re-established. [1] The study was published in the journal Ecological Engineering, and the sites were observed for three years. [1]

## Forest soil as a source of seeds and microorganisms

The work started from the idea that soil is more than a surface on which trees grow. Forest topsoil naturally contains seeds, microorganisms and organic matter, which can support plant growth at the new site. [1] The aim was to bring these biological components to the degraded land, rather than only planting seedlings. [1]

After the soil was applied, the researchers followed how the vegetation changed over time. They paid particular attention to the areas covered by invasive grasses and to the development of native forest plants.

## Results after three years

At the end of the three-year observation period, the surface covered by invasive grasses had fallen by more than 60% in the areas where forest soil was transferred. [1] The diversity of native tree and shrub species was more than twice that of the areas without soil transfer. [1] The number, height and growth of the plants also increased noticeably. [1]

The study also examined the effect of simpler operations, such as digging or loosening the soil alone. These methods fell short of the improvement provided by topsoil brought from the forest. [1] The strongest results were obtained in the areas where natural forest soil was used. [1]

The findings indicate that soil organisms and natural seeds can play an important role in re-greening degraded land. After three years the site had not yet fully regained the structure of the former forest, but significant progress was made in the return of native plants. [1]

## Sources

1. [sozcu.com.tr](https://www.sozcu.com.tr/corak-araziye-serilen-orman-topragi-3-yilda-herkesi-sasirtti-p381653)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-ebca332a7b7a137e4070d577_brazil_forest_topsoil/