scholarly journals Short-Term Abandonment versus Mowing in a Mediterranean-Temperate Meadow: Effects on Floristic Composition, Plant Functionality, and Soil Properties—A Case Study

Agriculture ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Francesca Vannucchi ◽  
Valerio Lazzeri ◽  
Irene Rosellini ◽  
Manuele Scatena ◽  
Claudia Caudai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Hay Meadows ◽  
Ecological Importance

Hay meadows are secondary grasslands maintained by mowing, and their ecological importance resides in the inherent biodiversity and carbon stocking. We investigated the plant community and soil properties of a sub humid acid grassland near the Fucecchio marshes (Italy), managed as a hay meadow, mowed once a year, and not fertilized. Part of the meadow had been abandoned for three years. We analysed the soil properties (i.e., organic carbon and total nitrogen content, available phosphorus, pH, cation-exchange capacity, texture, and conductibility) and the plant community structure (composition, functionality, and species richness) of the two sides of the meadow (mowed and abandoned). Our aim was to highlight the changes in soil properties and vegetation community, and to find out to what extent abandonment can affect those dynamics. Our results showed that after short-term abandonment, soil pH, C and N increased; litter biomass and perennial forbs increased; and annual forbs decreased. New species colonising after abandonment, thus enriching the flora, may keep spreading and eventually hinder the growth of the specialists if mowing is not resumed. Certain valuable meadow habitats need constant human intervention to maintain their peculiar vegetation, most especially if they are a buffer zone in the proximity of natural protected areas.

scholarly journals Adsorption of Copper in Soil and its Dependence on Physical and Chemical Properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vítězslav Vlček ◽  
Miroslav Pohanka
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Total Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Copper Adsorption ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Soil samples (n = 11) were collected in the chernozem areas of the Czech Republic (the Central Europe) from the topsoil and used as representative samples. All sampling areas have been used for agricultural purposes (arable soil) and they were selected as typical representatives of agricultural soil. These samples represented the soil with same genesis (to reduction differencies between soil types) but with different soil properties (physical and chemical). Complete chemical and physical analyses were made for confirmation of copper adsorption on solid phase: we analysed the particle size distribution, content of oxidizable carbon (Cox), the cation exchange capacity (CEC), supply of exchange calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and potassium, soil reaction and the total supply of Fe, Al, Mn, Ca, Mg, K, P and N. The strongest simple correlation between analysed soil properties and copper concentration had content of available magnesium (r = 0.44) and available phosphorus (r = −0.51). In the case of multiple correlations (i. e. collective influence of multiple soil properties) had the strongest influence combination of clay, soil reaction, total content of phosphorus, available magnesium and available phosphorus. The main influence of phosphorus and magnesium is evident. We suppose that copper and phosphorus enter into specific complex. Influence of these five soil properties can explain 92.7 % (r = 0.927) changes in the content of copper changes in the experiment.

scholarly journals Relationship between Wetland Plant Communities and Environmental Factors in the Tumen River Basin in Northeast China

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Zheng ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Noelikanto Ramamonjisoa ◽  
Weihong Zhu ◽  
Chunguang He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Wetland Plant ◽  
Tumen River ◽  
Wetland Plant Communities

Understanding what controls wetland vegetation community composition is vital to conservation and biodiversity management. This study investigates the factors that affect wetland plant communities and distribution in the Tumen River Basin, Northeast China, an internationally important wetland for biodiversity conservation. We recorded floristic composition of herbaceous plants, soil properties, and microclimatic variables in 177, 1 × 1 m2 quadrats at 45 sites, located upstream (26), midstream (12), and downstream (7) of the Basin. We used TWINSPAN to define vegetation communities and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to examine the relationships between environmental and biological factors within the wetland plant communities. We recorded 100 plant species from 93 genera and 40 families in the upstream, 100 plant species from 57 genera and 31 families in the midstream, and 85 plant species from 76 genera and 38 families in the downstream. Higher species richness was recorded upstream of the River Basin. The plant communities and distribution were influenced by elevation, soil properties (total potassium, pH, and available phosphorus), and microclimate variables (surface temperature, precipitation, average temperature, sunshine hours, and relative humidity). More than any other factor, according to our results, elevation strongly influenced the structure of wetland plant communities. These findings support prevailing models describing the distribution of wetland plants along environmental gradients. The determination of the relationship between soil and plants is a useful way to better understand the ecosystem condition and can help manage the wetland ecosystem.

scholarly journals Woodchip biochar with or without synthetic fertilizers affects soil properties and available phosphorus in two alkaline, chernozemic soils

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Surani Chathurika ◽  
Darshani Kumaragamage ◽  
Francis Zvomuya ◽  
Olalekan O. Akinremi ◽  
Donald N. Flaten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
P Fractions ◽  
Olsen P ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizers ◽  
Biochar Amendment

Fertility enhancement with biochar application is well documented for tropical acidic soils; however, benefits of biochar coapplied with synthetic fertilizers (SFs) on soil fertility are not well documented, particularly for alkaline chernozems. We examined the short-term interactive effects of woodchip biochar amendment with fertilizers on selected soil properties, available phosphorus (P), and P fractions of two alkaline Chernozems from Manitoba. Treatments were (1) urea and monoammonium phosphate fertilizers, (2) biochar at 10 g kg−1, (3) biochar at 20 g kg−1, (4) biochar at 10 g kg−1with fertilizers, (5) biochar at 20 g kg−1with fertilizers, and (6) a control. Treated soils were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and Olsen P concentration biweekly, and for P fractions, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic carbon (OC), and wet aggregate stability after 70 d of incubation. Biochar amendment without fertilizers significantly increased soil pH and CEC but had no effect on EC, while coapplication with fertilizers significantly increased Olsen P and labile P concentrations. When coapplied with fertilizers, biochar did not significantly increase soil pH relative to the control. Results suggest that biochar improved soil properties and available P in alkaline Chernozems, and the beneficial effects were enhanced when coapplied with SFs.

scholarly journals Short-term grazing exclusion has no impact on soil properties and nutrients of degraded alpine grassland in Tibet, China

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 2413-2444 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Lu ◽  
Y. Yan ◽  
J. Sun ◽  
X. Zhang ◽  
Y. Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Restoration ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Alpine Grasslands ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Grazing Exclusion

Abstract. Since the 1980s, alpine grasslands have been seriously degraded on the Tibetan Plateau. Grazing exclusion by fencing has been widely adopted to restore degraded grasslands. To clarify the effect of grazing exclusion on soil quality, we investigated soil properties and nutrients by comparing free grazing (FG) and grazing exclusion (GE) grasslands in Tibet. Soil properties, including soil bulk density, pH, particle size distributions, and proportion of aggregates, were not significant different between FG and GE plots. Soil organic carbon, soil available nitrogen, available phosphorus contents did not differ with grazing exclusion treatments in both 0–15 and 15–30 cm layer. However, soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents were remarkably reduced due to grazing exclusion at the 0–15 cm depth. Furthermore, growing season temperature and/or growing season precipitation had significant effects on almost all soil properties and nutrients indicators. This study demonstrates that grazing exclusion had no impact on most soil properties and nutrients in Tibet. Additionally, the potential shift of climate conditions should be considered when recommend any policies designed for alpine grasslands degraded soil restoration in the future. Nevertheless, because the results of the present study come from short term (6–8 years) grazing exclusion, the assessments of the ecological effects of the grazing exclusion management strategy on soil quality of degraded alpine grasslands in Tibet still need long term continued research.

scholarly journals Effects of Prosopis velutina Invasion on Soil Characteristics along the Riverine System of the Molopo River in North-West Province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Alvino Abraham Comole ◽  
Pieter Willem Malan ◽  
Makuété André Patrick Tiawoun
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Prosopis Velutina ◽  
North West ◽  
North West Province ◽  
Almost All

Invasive alien plants are one of the major threats to ecosystems. Many invasive plant species, such as Prosopis species, have been introduced around the world and can alter the soil properties of invaded ecosystems. It is one of the most aggressive invasive plant invaders in the North-West Province of South Africa, but little information is available about their influence on soil properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Prosopis velutina invasion on selected soil properties at five different sites along the riverine system of the Molopo River in North West Province. At each study site, soil characteristics were measured from soil samples taken under P. velutina canopies, between canopies and in the benchmark stands free of Prosopis species. The effect on selected soil properties of P. velutina invasion varied between the three stands and between sites. In all the sites, almost all soils collected from under the canopies had a significantly higher soil exchangeable Ca, K, Mg, and Na, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), Electrical conductivity (EC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) than the other sample positions, except for the pH which had the high value in intercanopies. Significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) values of almost all soil properties were found on the densely invaded sites (Tshidilamolomo I and Tshidilamolomo II) compared to lightly invaded sites (Mabule, Black Heat Farm, and Bray). However, it was difficult to generalise as the effects often appear to be site-specific. In addition, the findings also indicated that soils textural classes ranged between sand, silt, and clay in all study sites with a higher proportion of sand in the benchmark than in the soil under the canopies and intercanopies. Soil characteristics differed significantly more between sites than among positions. The site effects observed in this current study provide evidences that this species may occupy a relatively broad soil niche.

scholarly journals Effects of Management Practices on Soil Properties and Plant Nutrition in Hay Meadows in Picos de Europa

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Judith Álvarez ◽  
Elías Afif ◽  
Tomás E. Díaz ◽  
Laura García ◽  
Jose A. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Hay Meadows ◽  
Natural Grasslands ◽  
Chemical Properties Of Soils

Fertilization and mowing affects the physico-chemical properties of soils, as well as the characteristics of the plants growing on them. Changes in the management techniques are causing semi-natural grasslands to disappear all over Europe. These grasslands host a great amount of diversity, thus their conservation is a top priority. This work studies whether the kind of management has an influence on the soil properties and the foliar content in macronutrients in 25 hay meadows located in Picos de Europa (10 in Asturias, 10 in Castilla y León and 5 in Cantabria). Soils at a 0–20 cm depth showed a high content of organic matter and a low C/N ratio. Effective cation exchange capacity was adequate for a texture, which varied from sandy clay loam to loam, with an average clay content of 17%. Mean values of foliar nutrient concentrations showed a deficiency in K. In this study, management practices were shown to affect some properties of the soils, namely pH, sand percentage and exchangeable K and Ca, to different extents. The highest values of pH and exchangeable Ca were significantly correlated with the least intensive management.

scholarly journals Study of Cattle Trampling and Its Effect on Soil Properties and Sorghum Productivity in Parts of Yobe State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
A. Ali ◽  
M. Usman ◽  
M. G. Nangere
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
North Eastern

This study was carried out at three different locations in Yobe State (North Eastern Nigeria), to determine the effect of cattle trampling on soil properties and sorghum productivity. The study locations were Potiskum, Nangere and Fika Local Government Areas of the state. Soil depth (25-30 cm height and diameter) were collected from each location and analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus and exchangeable cations as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density (BD), total porosity (Pt) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). Each sampling involved collection from cattle trampled and un-trampled areas with sorghum as the test crop. Effect of trampling on root mass, length and stover yields were also determined after sorghum cultivation in each of the location. Results indicated that there were significant effects of cattle trampling with respect to soil properties investigated. However, post planting results of the analysis revealed that trampled soils had significantly lower statistical values for all yield parameters of sorghum when compared with un-trampled soils in all the study locations. There is need to improve the structure of soils in all study locations through incorporation of organic matter and proper soil management for increased permeability, root penetration, aeration and water infiltration. Also, there is need for cattle routes demarcations to provide free movement of livestock across the locations without encroachment into farmlands.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Zeolite on Soil Properties and Soil Fertility for Rice Cultivation

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
V. B. Pandit ◽  
K. Jeevan Rao ◽  
M. Rajeshwar Naik ◽  
G. E. Ch. Vidya Sagar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Phosphorus Content ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Greenhouse Condition ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Different Levels

The pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate effect of different levels of nitrogen and zeolite on soil properties in rice under greenhouse condition during kharif 2018-19. The investigation showed that soil bulk density was decrease from 1.5 to 1.02, 1.24 and 1.29 g cc-1 by the zeolite application at 9, 6, and 3 t ha-1 respectively. Water holding capacity of soil was increased from 43.53 to 55.49% with different levels of zeolites. Cation exchange capacity of soil significantly increased by 50.45, 44.54 and 29.22% with the application of zeolite at 9, 6 and 3 t ha-1, respectively. Highest value of soil pH and EC were 7.6 and 1.27 dS m -1observed in 9 t ha -1 zeolite treatment. Fertility status of soil i.e. available nitrogen and available phosphorus content also improved by the application of zeolite at different rates.

EFFECTS OF FOREST FIRES ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN

1963 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Scotter
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Northern Saskatchewan

The effects of forest fires on some physical and chemical soil properties in the Black Lake region of northern Saskatchewan were determined on four burned-over areas, and results were compared with corresponding mature forested areas. Formerly, two of the burns supported jack pine forests and the other two supported black spruce forests.Temperatures, water infiltration rates, and erosion were the physical soil properties considered. Temperatures at the 1-inch and 3-inch depths in the burned-over soils averaged 10.5 F and 9.7 F respectively, higher than soil temperatures under mature forests. Water infiltration rates, compared at one location only, were not impaired. Erosion following fire was slight.Soil nutrients and soil pH were the chemical properties considered. Total exchange capacity decreased on three of the four burns, when compared with mature forests. Exchangeable hydrogen was reduced and available phosphorus increased on each of the burned-over soils. Exchangeable calcium increased on three of the four burned-over soils. No conclusions could be reached for alterations in total nitrogen, exchangeable magnesium, potassium, and sodium. On the burned-over areas acidity decreased at 1-inch depths and 3-inch depths.Forest fire influence both chemical and physical soil properties on the winter range of barren-ground caribou in northern Saskatchewan. These alterations may be important in changing the habitat to one less favorable for the germination and growth of preferred food plants.

scholarly journals The Effects of Crude Oil Spill on Some Soil Properties of Different Sites in Duhok Governorate-Kurdistan Region of Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad A. Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Oil Spillage ◽  
The Impact

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of oil spillage on some properties of soils collected from Kashe and Nzarke sites in Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region of Iraq. Soil samples were taken from each site after one weak and then after three months at 0-15 cm and 15-35 cm depths with control samples approximately 500 m from outside oil spill area. The soil samples were analyzed using standardsof routine laboratory methods to determine some soil properties. Based on results of the study the contaminated area has higher % TN (percentage total nitrogen) (0.34 and 0.28 %), % TOC (percentage total carbon) ( 4.84 and 5.81 %), Pb (lead) (1.59 and 2.28 mg L-1) and Fe (Iron) (3.20 and 3.13 mg L-1) for Kashe and Nzarke sites respectively than the control especially for 0-15 cm. Crude oil causes decrease in soil pH below 8.2 and also reduced the concentration of available phosphorus to a values of (18.40 and 15.20 mg L-1) for Kashe and Nzarke soils respectively than the control (20.60 and 16.20 mg L-1) for the two sites respectively. Higher values for EC (electrical conductivity), % TN, available phosphorouswere found in Kashe site while Nzarke had higher % TOC, % OM (organic matter), CEC (cation exchange capacity), THC (total hydrocarbon) and available phosphorus.

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