scholarly journals Degradation and resilience of soils

1997 ◽  
Vol 352 (1356) ◽  
pp. 997-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lal
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Natural Waters ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Soil Resilience ◽  
Critical Limits

Debate on global soil degradation, its extent and agronomic impact, can only be resolved through understanding of the processes and factors leading to establishment of the cause–effect relationships for major soils, ecoregions, and land uses. Systematic evaluation through long–term experimentation is needed for establishing quantitative criteria of (i) soil quality in relation to specific functions; (ii) soil degradation in relation to critical limits of key soil properties and processes; and (iii) soil resilience in relation to the ease of restoration through judicious management and discriminate use of essential input. Quantitative assessment of soil degradation can be obtained by evaluating its impact on productivity for different land uses and management systems. Interdisciplinary research is needed to quantify soil degradation effects on decrease in productivity, reduction in biomass, and decline in environment quality throught pollution and eutrophication of natural waters and emission of radiatively–active gases from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere. Data from long–term field experiments in principal ecoregions are specifically needed to (i) establish relationships between soil quality versus soil degradation and soil quality versus soil resilience; (ii) identify indicators of soil quality and soil resilience; and (iii) establish critical limits of important properties for soil degradation and soil resilience. There is a need to develop and standardize techniques for measuring soil resilience.

scholarly journals Local soil quality assessment of north-central Namibia: integrating farmers' and technical knowledge

SOIL ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brice Prudat ◽  
Lena Bloemertz ◽  
Nikolaus J. Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
North Central ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Soil Units

Abstract. Soil degradation is a major threat for farmers of semi-arid north-central Namibia. Soil conservation practices can be promoted by the development of soil quality (SQ) evaluation toolboxes that provide ways to evaluate soil degradation. However, such toolboxes must be adapted to local conditions to reach farmers. Based on qualitative (interviews and soil descriptions) and quantitative (laboratory analyses) data, we developed a set of SQ indicators relevant for our study area that integrates farmers' field experiences (FFEs) and technical knowledge. We suggest using participatory mapping to delineate soil units (Oshikwanyama soil units, KwSUs) based on FFEs, which highlight mostly soil properties that integrate long-term productivity and soil hydrological characteristics (i.e. internal SQ). The actual SQ evaluation of a location depends on the KwSU described and is thereafter assessed by field soil texture (i.e. chemical fertility potential) and by soil colour shade (i.e. SOC status). This three-level information aims to reveal SQ improvement potential by comparing, for any location, (a) estimated clay content against median clay content (specific to KwSU) and (b) soil organic status against calculated optimal values (depends on clay content). The combination of farmers' and technical assessment cumulates advantages of both systems of knowledge, namely the integrated long-term knowledge of the farmers and a short- and medium-term SQ status assessment. The toolbox is a suggestion for evaluating SQ and aims to help farmers, rural development planners and researchers from all fields of studies understanding SQ issues in north-central Namibia. This suggested SQ toolbox is adapted to a restricted area of north-central Namibia, but similar tools could be developed in most areas where small-scale agriculture prevails.

scholarly journals Effects of Land Uses on Soil Quality Indicators: The Case of Geshy Subcatchment, Gojeb River Catchment, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melku Dagnachew ◽  
Awdenegest Moges ◽  
Asfaw Kebede Kassa
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Sustainable Land Management ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Grazing Lands

Land degradation caused by improper land use management is a critical worldwide problem that has revived the issue of resources sustainability. Soil degradation, which involves physical, chemical, and biological degradation, is the key component of land degradation. Assessment of soil quality (SQ) indicators that distinguish soil degradation in different land use (LU) types is enviable to achieve sustainable land management strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of land uses on soil quality indicators in the Geshy subcatchment of the Gojeb River Catchment, Omo-Gibe Basin, Ethiopia. The LU types identified for evaluation included natural forest, cultivation, and grazing lands. Accordingly, a total of 54 soil samples (three LU types × three slope classes (blocks) × three replications × two soil depths) were collected with an “X” plot design for data analysis. Statistical differences in SQ indicators were analyzed among LU types, slope classes, and soil depths and tested using univariate analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, following the general linear model. The results showed that a number of SQ indicators were significantly influenced by LU changes and soil depths. The sand, dry soil bulk densityρb, volumetric soil water contents (VSWC), total porosity, water infiltration rates, cumulative infiltration, and total nitrogen showed significant variations between the natural forest and the other LU types and soil depths (p<0.05). However, silt, clay, soil pH, SOC contents, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and available phosphorus did not show significant variations between LU types and soil depths (p>0.05). The overall qualities of the soils under the cultivation land were inferior in VSWC, TP, water infiltration rates, SOC contents, and TN soil attributes of the adjacent natural forest and grazing lands. The studied soils were found to be dominantly of clays with slightly acidic and low SOC contents and slow in their infiltration rate. Thus, integrated and sustainable land management, aimed at enhancing proper LU systems, is crucial for the sustainable ecosystem functioning and is the most effective way in reversing of soil quality deterioration.

Long-Term Impact of Forest-Based Land Uses on Soil Quality Indicators in Himalayan Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Panwar ◽  
Sharmistha Pal ◽  
Sudhir Verma ◽  
Nancy Loria ◽  
Med Ram Verma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Himalayan Region ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Long Term Impact

scholarly journals Soil solution phosphorus turnover: derivation, interpretation, and insights from a global compilation of isotope exchange kinetic studies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Helfenstein ◽  
Jannes Jegminat ◽  
Timothy I. McLaren ◽  
Emmanuel Frossard
Keyword(s):  
Soil Solution ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Exchange Kinetic ◽  
Soil Solution P

Abstract. The exchange rate of inorganic phosphorus (P) between the soil solution and solid phase, also known as soil solution P turnover, is essential for describing the kinetics of bioavailable P. While soil solution P turnover (Km) can be determined by tracing radioisotopes in a soil-solution system, few studies have done so. We believe that this is due to a lack of understanding on how to derive Km from isotopic exchange kinetic (IEK) experiments, a widespread form of radioisotope dilution study. Here, we provide a derivation of calculating Km using parameters obtained from IEK experiments. We then calculated Km for 217 soils from published IEK experiments in terrestrial ecosystems, and also for that of 18 long-term P fertilizer field experiments. Analysis of the global compilation dataset revealed a negative relationship between concentrations of soil solution P and Km. Furthermore, Km buffered isotopically exchangeable P in soils with low concentrations of soil solution P. This finding was supported by an analysis of long-term P fertilizer field experiments, which revealed a negative relationship between Km and phosphate buffering capacity. Our study thus highlights the potential of Km for future studies – not only for P, but also for other environmentally-relevant, strongly-sorbing elements with radioisotopes such as zinc, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, or uranium.

scholarly journals Long-term field experiments in Germany: classification and spatial representation

SOIL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 579-596
Author(s):  
Meike Grosse ◽  
Wilfried Hierold ◽  
Marlen C. Ahlborn ◽  
Hans-Peter Piepho ◽  
Katharina Helming
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Spatial Representation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Very High ◽  
Term Field

Abstract. The collective analysis of long-term field experiments (LTFEs), here defined as agricultural experiments with a minimum duration of 20 years and research in the context of sustainable soil use and yield, can be used for detecting changes in soil properties and yield such as those induced by climate change. However, information about existing LTFEs is scattered, and the research data are not easily accessible. In this study, meta-information on LTFEs in Germany is compiled and their spatial representation is analyzed. The study is conducted within the framework of the BonaRes project, which, inter alia, has established a central access point for LTFE information and research data. A total of 205 LTFEs which fit to the definition above are identified. Of these, 140 LTFEs are ongoing. The land use in 168 LTFEs is arable field crops, in 34 trials grassland, in 2 trials vegetables and in 1 trial pomiculture. Field crop LTFEs are categorized into fertilization (n=158), tillage (n=38) and crop rotation (n=32; multiple nominations possible) experiments, while all grassland experiments (n=34) deal with fertilization. The spatial representation is analyzed according to the climatic water balance of the growing season (1 May to 31 October) (CWBg), the Müncheberg Soil Quality Rating (MSQR) and clay content. The results show that, in general, the LTFEs well represent the area shares of both the CWBg and the MSQR classes. Eighty-nine percent of the arable land and 65 % of the grassland in Germany are covered by the three driest CWBg classes, hosting 89 % and 71 % of the arable and grassland LTFEs, respectively. LTFEs cover all six MSQR classes but with a bias towards the high and very high soil quality classes. LTFEs on arable land are present in all clay content classes according to the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) but with a bias towards the clay content class 4. Grassland LTFEs show a bias towards the clay content classes 5, 6 and 7, while well representing the other clay content classes, except clay content class 3, where grassland LTFEs are completely missing. The results confirm the very high potential of LTFE data for spatially differentiated analyses and modeling. However, reuse is restricted by the difficult access to LTFE research data. The common database is an important step in overcoming this restriction.

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