Extensive pasture systems established in highly weathered tropical soils on steep slopes are vulnerable to soil degradation. Soil degradation can be monitored using an soil quality index (SQI). The SQI can assess both environmental aspects and indices related to pasture productivity within specific environments. A framework to evaluate and map a soil quality index for Ferralsols was developed in this study, emphasising pasture quality and seasonal variations, as well as geologic–geomorphological influences. Ground cover was determined in pasture areas with different levels of degradation. A minimum data set associated with pasture quality and productivity was selected by partial least squares regression to generate the SQI. The SQI is controlled by geomorphology and geology. In highlands, Ferralsols that develop in the oldest surfaces show strong leaching of basic cations and have higher acidity and, although components of organic matter increase, they are less important to pasture quality. In lowlands, landscape dissection exposes less weathered saprolite, forming Ferralsols with good chemical properties. This favours sustainability in pasture systems and reduces soil degradation in vulnerable environments. Soil quality indices were able to better evaluate pasture quality when established in summer.

在陡坡上高度风化的热带土壤中建立的广泛的牧场系统很容易受到土壤退化的影响。可以使用土壤质量指数 (SQI) 监测土壤退化。SQI 可以评估特定环境中与牧场生产力相关的环境因素和指标。本研究开发了一个评估和绘制 Ferralsols 土壤质量指数的框架，强调牧场质量和季节变化，以及地质-地貌影响。在具有不同退化程度的牧场地区确定了地被植物。通过偏最小二乘回归选择与牧场质量和生产力相关的最小数据集以生成 SQI。SQI由地貌和地质控制。在高原，在最古老的地表中发育的铁溶胶表现出强烈的碱性阳离子浸出并具有更高的酸度，尽管有机物质的成分增加了，但它们对牧场质量的重要性不那么重要。在低地，景观解剖暴露出较少风化的腐泥土，形成具有良好化学性质的铁质溶胶。这有利于牧场系统的可持续性，并减少脆弱环境中的土壤退化。土壤质量指数在夏季建立时能够更好地评价牧草质量。这有利于牧场系统的可持续性，并减少脆弱环境中的土壤退化。土壤质量指数在夏季建立时能够更好地评价牧草质量。这有利于牧场系统的可持续性，并减少脆弱环境中的土壤退化。土壤质量指数在夏季建立时能够更好地评价牧草质量。