The Short-Term Impact of Different Silvicultural Thinnings on Soil Nematode and Microarthropod Biodiversity in Artificial Black Pine Stands

Soil invertebrates represent almost a quarter of the total diversity of living organisms and their activity affects the entire soil ecological process. The choice of adequate thinning systems may differently affect soil nematode and microarthropod biodiversity in artificial black pinewoods. In this work, the results of the impact of different thinnings on the structure of nematode and microarthropod communities was reported. In a short-term experiment, thinning from below and selective thinning were compared to unmanaged stands to provide indications at the regional scale in central Italy. Soil nematode and microarthropod biodiversity was explored by examining community structure, assessing biodiversity. The interaction between environmental variables (crown volume, Photosynthetically Active Radiation, soil texture, soil temperature, and moisture) with taxa abundance of nematodes and microarthropods were also reported. The results indicated that the effects of thinning practices were temporary and varied between years. Soil nematode community shifted during the first and third years of thinning managements only in the Pratomagno site, while soil microarthropod community shifted in both sites only in the second year. The total nematode abundance was minimally affected by thinning practices, while the nematode community composition showed a decrease of omnivores and predators in the first years. Soil indicators showed inconsistent results. In microarthropods, mites and collembola were the least affected by thinning in terms of abundance and species biodiversity, while eu-edaphic taxa of Chilopoda, Diplopoda, and Pauropoda were not influenced by thinning, hemi-edaphic and epi-edaphic taxa of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Tysanoptera, and Hemiptera were negatively affected. Soil indicators such as Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices and soil biological quality (QBS-ar) improved in thinning from below in both sites. Soil temperature and moisture were the main driving factors in affecting soil nematode and microarthropods communities. Thinning from below probably allowed a more rapid recovery than selective thinning.

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Soil organic carbon accumulation and carbon dioxide emissions during a 6-year study in irrigated continuous maize under two tillage systems in semiarid Mediterranean conditions

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.5424/sjar/2021191-16260 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. e1102

Author(s):

Maroua Dachraoui ◽

Aurora Sombrero

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Carbon Accumulation ◽

No Tillage ◽

Short Term ◽

The Impact

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) systems on the soil organic carbon (SOC) changes, CO2 emissions and their relation with soil temperature and grain yield in a monoculture of irrigated maize during six years.Area of study: In Zamadueñas experimental field in the Spanish province of Valladolid, from 2011 to 2017.Material and methods: The SOC content was determined by collecting soil samples up to 30 cm in November at two years interval. Short-term CO2 emissions were measured simultaneously with soil temperature using a respiration chamber and a hand-held probe immediately before, after every tillage operation and during the maize cycle.Main results: The SOC stock of the top 30 cm soil layers was 13% greater under NT than CT. Short-term CO2 emissions were significantly higher under CT ranging from 0.8 to 3.4 g CO2 m-2 h-1 immediately after tillage while under NT system, soil CO2 fluxes were low and stable during this study period. During the first 48 h following tillage, cumulative CO2 emissions ranged from 0.6 to 2.4 Mg CO2 ha-1 and from 0.2 to 0.3 Mg CO2 ha-1 under CT and NT systems, respectively. Soil temperature did not show significant correlation with CO2 emissions; however, it depended mostly on the time of measurement.Research highlights: No tillage increased the SOC accumulation in the topsoil layer, reduced CO2 emissions without decreasing maize grain yield and minimized the impact on climate change compared to CT system.

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Influence of pesticides, soil temperature and moisture on entomopathogenic nematodes from southern Benin and control of underground termite nest populations

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-00002923 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 1057-1069 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hugues Baimey ◽

Lionel Zadji ◽

Leonard Afouda ◽

Maurice Moens ◽

Wilfrida Decraemer

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Galleria Mellonella ◽

Macrotermes Bellicosus ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact ◽

Termite Nest ◽

Southern Benin ◽

Soil Temperature And Moisture

The influence of three pesticides on the viability and infectivity of four Beninese isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), Heterorhabditis indica Ayogbe1, H. sonorensis Azohoue2, H. sonorensis Ze3, and Steinernema sp. Bembereke, was determined. The impact of both soil temperature and soil moisture on the virulence of these EPN to Trinervitermes occidentalis was investigated in laboratory assays. The effect of EPN-infected Galleria mellonella larvae on underground populations of Macrotermes bellicosus was also examined. All tested Heterorhabditis species were more tolerant to glyphosate and fipronil than the Steinernema species. Heterorhabditis sonorensis Azohoue2, showed the best results with 63.2% termite mortality at a soil temperature of 35°C. The increase of soil moisture to 20% (w/w) did not negatively influence the virulence of tested EPN. The underground populations of 71% or 60% treated nests were controlled by H. sonorensis Azohoue2- or H. indica Ayogbe1-infected G. mellonella larvae, respectively.

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Estimating regional-scale methane flux and budgets using CARVE aircraft measurements over Alaska

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-18-185-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 185-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sean Hartery ◽

Róisín Commane ◽

Jakob Lindaas ◽

Colm Sweeney ◽

John Henderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Dispersion Model ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Methane Flux ◽

Particle Dispersion ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Study Region ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Soil Temperature And Moisture

Abstract. Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas but its emissions from northern regions are still poorly constrained. In this study, we analyze a subset of in situ CH4 aircraft observations made over Alaska during the growing seasons of 2012–2014 as part of the Carbon in Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE). Net surface CH4 fluxes are estimated using a Lagrangian particle dispersion model which quantitatively links surface emissions from Alaska and the western Yukon with observations of enhanced CH4 in the mixed layer. We estimate that between May and September, net CH4 emissions from the region of interest were 2.2 ± 0.5 Tg, 1.9 ± 0.4 Tg, and 2.3 ± 0.6 Tg of CH4 for 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. If emissions are only attributed to two biogenic eco-regions within our domain, then tundra regions were the predominant source, accounting for over half of the overall budget despite only representing 18 % of the total surface area. Boreal regions, which cover a large part of the study region, accounted for the remainder of the emissions. Simple multiple linear regression analysis revealed that, overall, CH4 fluxes were largely driven by soil temperature and elevation. In regions specifically dominated by wetlands, soil temperature and moisture at 10 cm depth were important explanatory variables while in regions that were not wetlands, soil temperature and moisture at 40 cm depth were more important, suggesting deeper methanogenesis in drier soils. Although similar environmental drivers have been found in the past to control CH4 emissions at local scales, this study shows that they can be used to generate a statistical model to estimate the regional-scale net CH4 budget.

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The Effects of Plastic Mulch Systems on Soil Temperature and Moisture in Central Ontario

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.25.2.162 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 162-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kayla Snyder ◽

Amanda Grant ◽

Christopher Murray ◽

Bryon Wolff

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Plastic Mulch ◽

Black And White ◽

Black Films ◽

Mulch Films ◽

The Impact ◽

Canada Data ◽

Soil Temperature And Moisture

The impact of polyolefin-based agricultural mulch films (including clear, black, and white-on-black films) on soil temperature and moisture content was studied, using a bare plot as a control, over a 4-month period in central Ontario, Canada. Data indicate a negative correlation between the change in soil temperature under the films relative to bare soil and the absolute value of bare soil temperature. Additionally, a negative correlation between the effect of films on soil moisture and the moisture level of bare soil was indicated. All mulch films demonstrated qualitatively similar ability to insulate the soil from extremes in both temperature and moisture, suggesting a potentially reduced need for irrigation and protecting against early frost, high temperatures, overwatering, and drought.

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Estimating regional scale methane flux and budgets using CARVE aircraft measurements over Alaska

10.5194/acp-2017-72 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sean Hartery ◽

Róisín Commane ◽

Jakob Lindaas ◽

Colm Sweeney ◽

John Henderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Transport Model ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Region Of Interest ◽

Methane Flux ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Total Surface Area ◽

Study Region ◽

Soil Temperature And Moisture

Abstract. Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas but its emissions from northern regions is still poorly constrained. In this study, we analyze a subset of in situ CH4 aircraft observations made over Alaska during the growing seasons of 2012–2014 as part of the Carbon in Arctic Reservoir Vulnerability Experiment (CARVE). Surface CH4 fluxes are estimated using an atmospheric particle transport model which quantitatively links surface emissions from Alaska and the western Yukon with observations of enhanced CH4 in the boundary layer. We estimate that between May and September, 2.1 ± 0.5 Tg, 1.7 ± 0.4 Tg and 2.0 ± 0.3 Tg of CH4 were emitted from the region of interest for 2012–2014, respectively. The predominant sources of the CH4 budget were two broadly classed eco-regions within our domain, with CH4 from the tundra region accounting for over half of the overall budget, despite only representing 18 % of the total surface area. Boreal regions, which cover a large part of the study region, accounted for the remainder of the emissions. Simple multiple linear regression analysis revealed that overall, CH4 flux were largely driven by soil temperature and elevation. In regions specifically dominated by wetlands, soil temperature and moisture at 10 cm depth were important explanatory variables while in regions that were not wetlands, soil temperature and moisture at 40 cm depth were more important, reflecting the depth at which methanogenesis occurs. Although similar variables have been found in the past to control CH4 emissions at local scales, this study shows that they can be used to generate a statistical model to estimate the regional scale CH4 budget.

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Weed Pressure, Yield, and Adhesion of Soil-biodegradable Mulches with Pie Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci15017-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (7) ◽

pp. 1014-1021

Author(s):

Huan Zhang ◽

Lisa Wasko DeVetter ◽

Edward Scheenstra ◽

Carol Miles

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Growing Season ◽

Soil Exposure ◽

Clear Plastic ◽

Black Plastic ◽

On Farm ◽

The Impact ◽

Fruit Surface ◽

Soil Temperature And Moisture

A soil-biodegradable mulch (BDM) is designed to be tilled into the soil at the end of the growing season, and is a successful alternative to polyethylene (PE) mulch if it suppresses weeds and improves soil temperature and moisture, crop yield, and fruit quality. This study compared one clear plastic BDM (COX), two black plastic BDMs (BOX and BFO), and two paper BDMs (WGP and AMX) to clear and black plastic PE mulch (CPE and BPE, respectively) for weed control, yield, and mulch adhesion of ‘Cinnamon Girl’ pie pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in a Mediterranean climate where increased soil temperature from mulch is desirable. BDMs in this study are advertised as soil-biodegradable, and we tested functionality but not biodegradability. Mulch deterioration during the growing season was measured as percent soil exposure (PSE), and remained low at the end of the growing season for all BDM and PE treatments both years (5% on average) except COX (68%). Weed number and biomass were low early, mid, and late season for all treatments except COX in 2018 and COX and CPE in 2019. Soil temperature with PE mulches (20.7 °C on average) was similar or slightly higher than with plastic BDMs (19.8 °C on average), which was higher than with paper BDMs (18.9 °C on average). Total fruit number and yield were similar for PE mulches (19.3 and 24.5 kg, respectively) and black plastic BDMs (17.3 and 21.2 kg, respectively), which were higher than COX and paper BDMs (15.7 and 19.8 kg, respectively). Mulch adhesion occurred on fruit in all BDM treatments, with more mulch adhesion in BFO in 2018 and WGP in 2019 than in other BDM treatments each year. The number of wipes is a proxy for the impact on harvest labor and can influence overall on-farm profitability. The number of wipes to remove adhered mulch (1.2 wipes on average) was similar for fruit harvested at four times of day (0800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 hr), but more wipes were needed to remove adhered mulch when fruit were stored up to 4 hours postharvest (5.4 wipes). Number of wipes to remove adhered mulch was negatively correlated to the amount of moisture on the fruit surface (R2 = 0.31). Overall, these findings demonstrate that all black plastic and paper BDMs remained intact throughout the growing season and controlled weeds as well as black PE mulch, while clear BDM had higher weed pressure because it degraded during the growing season. Pumpkin yield was similar for black plastic BDMs and PE mulches and lower for clear and paper BDMs. However, all BDMs in this study adhered to the fruit surface and their removal became more difficult as the fruit surface dried.

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Soil moisture modifies the response of soil respiration to temperature in a desert shrub ecosystem

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-10-9213-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 9213-9242 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

B. Wang ◽

T. S. Zha ◽

X. Jia ◽

B. Wu ◽

Y. Q. Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Soil Respiration ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Seasonal Cycle ◽

Desert Ecosystem ◽

Co2 Efflux ◽

Diel Variation ◽

Short Term ◽

Desert Shrub ◽

The Impact

Abstract. The response of soil respiration (Rs) to soil temperature and moisture have been well documented in forests, but data and information from desert shrub ecosystems are limited. Soil CO2 efflux from a desert shrub ecosystem was measured continuously with automated chambers in Ningxia, northwest China, from June to October 2012. The responses of Rs to Ts was strongly affected diurnally by soil moisture, with the diel variation in Rs being strongly related to 10 cm soil temperature (Ts) at moderate and high soil volumetric water content (VWC), but less related to Ts at low VWC. Ts typically lagged Rs by 3–4 h, however, the lag time varied in relation to VWC, with increased lag times at low VWC. Over the seasonal cycle, daily mean Rs was positively correlated with Ts when VWC exceeded 0.08 m3 m−3, but became decoupled from Ts when VWC dropped below this threshold. The annual temperature sensitivity of Rs (Q10) was 1.5. The short-term sensitivity of Rs to Ts, computed using three-day windows, varied significantly over the seasonal cycle; the short-term Q10 was negatively correlated with Ts and positively correlated with VWC. These results suggest the potential for a negative feedback to climate warming in desert ecosystems, related to the impact of low soil moisture on Rs. The results highlight the biological causes of diel hysteresis between Rs and Ts and the need for carbon cycle models to account for the interacting effects of Ts and VWC as joint determinants of Rs in desert ecosystem.

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On the Use of Original and Bias-Corrected Climate Simulations in Regional-Scale Hydrological Scenarios in the Mediterranean Basin

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos10120799 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 799 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lorenzo Sangelantoni ◽

Barbara Tomassetti ◽

Valentina Colaiuda ◽

Annalina Lombardi ◽

Marco Verdecchia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Radiative Forcing ◽

Climate Models ◽

Regional Climate ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Central Italy ◽

Stress Index ◽

Climate Change Signal ◽

Correction Technique ◽

The Impact

The response of Mediterranean small catchments hydrology to climate change is still relatively unexplored. Regional Climate Models (RCMs) are an established tool for evaluating the expected climate change impact on hydrology. Due to the relatively low resolution and systematic errors, RCM outputs are routinely and statistically post-processed before being used in impact studies. Nevertheless, these techniques can impact the original simulated trends and then impact model results. In this work, we characterize future changes of a small Apennines (Central Italy) catchment hydrology, according to two radiative forcing scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways, RCPs, 4.5 and 8.5). We also investigate the impact of a widely used bias correction technique, the empirical Quantile Mapping (QM) on the original Climate Change Signal (CCS), and the subsequent alteration of the original Hydrological Change Signal (HCS). Original and bias-corrected simulations of five RCMs from Euro-CORDEX are used to drive the CETEMPS hydrological model CHyM. HCS is assessed by using monthly mean discharge and a hydrological-stress index. HCS shows a large spatial and seasonal variability where the summer results are affected by the largest decrease of mean discharge (down to −50%). QM produces a small alteration of the original CCS, which generates a generally wetter HCS, especially during the spring season.

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