EVALUATION OF CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEM WITH PALM CROP IN SEASONALLY MOIST TROPICAL FORESTS, ECUADOR

The soil of ecosystem in seasonally moist tropical forests and agricultural land used for palm crop cultivation was characterized comparatively. The lower content of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic substance was noted in soils of ecosystems. However, soil quality is suitable for cultivation of these agricultural crops. The high content of ferrum is characteristic of the soil. Long-term usage of palm family as a monoculture can lead to land degradation where there are prerequisites for development of rainsheet due to water-based erosion processes.