The soil properties reported in areas with different management provide useful information about the systems’ operation, state of conservation and resilience. In this way, this study evaluated physical properties and organic matter dynamics of soil under different plant covers in seven areas consisting of: five areas under ecological restoration (REC1 to REC5), an areas with native vegetation (MATA) and a sugarcane crop area (SC), all located in State of Mato Grosso do Sul, a transition area between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. Samples were taken at the 0-10 and 10-20 cm layers and were analyzed for soil density (Ds), macroporosity (Ma), microporosity (Mi), total porosity (PT), weighted mean diameter (DMP), aggregate stability index (IEA), and the particle sizes of organic matter. There were no differences in DMP between the areas, however, sugarcane crop area and areas under ecological restoration (REC 1, 3 and 4) had high values of density and microporosity and low contents of the fractions of organic matter, which can promote a greater restriction to the root development of plants. Among the areas under restoration, REC1 and REC5 presented physical conditions with higher similarity to the native vegetation area. Changes in the physical soil properties and parameters such as Total organic carbon (COT), confirmed that the restoration practices applied improved the soil quality
