Increasing SOC sequestration and closing N cycle during post-agricultural restoration in karst region, Southwest China

Purpose Post-agricultural restoration affects soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycle. However, the control mechanism of SOC sequestration and alteration of ecosystem N status following post-agricultural restoration are not well understood in karst regions. Methods Croplands, abandoned croplands, and native vegetation forests were selected to represent three stages following post-agricultural restoration using a space for time substitution approach in a karst critical zone in Guizhou province, Southwest China. The variations of soil aggregate associated SOC and relationships between soil Ca and SOC were analyzed to identify SOC sequestration potential. Foliar δ15N composition and soil to plant 15N enrichment factor (EF = δ15Nlitter − δ15Nsoil) were analyzed to determine ecosystem N status. Results Macro-aggregate proportions and their SOC concentrations significantly increased following post-agricultural restoration. Soil Ca concentrations non-linearly increased with increasing SOC concentrations of bulk soils and aggregates. Foliar δ15N values and EF values significantly decreased following post-agricultural restoration, mainly attributed to the increasing plant uptake of 15N-depleted inorganic N, which was produced from soil organic nitrogen (SON) mineralization and nitrification. During post-agricultural restoration, the increasing plant biomass and slow SON mineralization led to more inorganic N uptake and less N loss, i.e., a more closed N cycle. Conclusion Soil aggregates and Ca play important roles in promoting SOC sequestration, and ecosystem N cycles are towards closed during post-agricultural restoration in the karst ecosystem.

Studying the agrochemical features of undisturbed soils on the territory of the Mokhovsky coal mine in the Kemerovo Region to assess their use in biological reclamation

This paper describes the results of the study of the Mokhovsky coal mine undisturbed soils in different horizons of the soil profile. The study was conducted on the Sartakinskoe, Mokhovskoe and Karakanskoe fields. In each field the authors have determined the species composition of phytocenoses and soil types, and studied soil horizons and agrochemical characteristics (particle size and soil composition, humus content, hydrogen index, nutrient content, hydrolytic acidity, the amount of absorbed bases, absorption capacity, etc.). It has been established that the vegetation of the phytocenoses of the studied fields is represented by birch tree trunks with the inclusion of pine, sections of meadow and small fragments of steppe communities, where perennial herbaceous plants play a significant role, which is typical for temperate floras of the northern hemisphere. The results of the analysis of the structural and particle size distribution of the agrochemical characteristics of undisturbed soils in the Mokhovskoe, Sartakinskoe and Karakanskoe fields of the Mokhovsky coal mine indicate that these soils are of agronomic value, therefore it is recommended to remove and store the fertile layer from these sites with a view to their further use in biological reclamation to increase quality, productivity and environmental value of the restored lands in the Kemerovo Region. The fertile soil layer (PRP) and the potentially fertile soil layer (PRSP) from the Mokhovskoye field is recommended for forestry while the Sartakinskoe and Karakanskoe fields for agricultural restoration.

Fatwas on Boosting Environmental Conservation in Indonesia

Concern about the importance of getting Muslims involved in the movement for a better environment in Indonesia has existed since the 1980s, since the involvement of the Islamic boarding school leaders in triggering their community and the involvement of NGOs in empowering the community, particularly in environmental and agricultural restoration. After the Bogor Declaration on Muslim Action on Climate Change 2010, in 2011, The Indonesia Council of Ulama (MUI) established the Institute for Environmental and Natural Resources (PLHSDA) in the MUI’s Clerical Conference. The role of this unit within the MUI is very important because the MUI has a special unit in tackling various important issues in the environment, where Muslims can find authoritative answers to environmental challenges. So far, there have been seven MUI fatāwa (edicts) released by MUI related to the environment and the conservation movement. This paper will highlight environmental movements by the Muslim community in Indonesia, and describe how the implementation of the MUI fatāwa can contribute to addressing the massive increase in environmental challenges and increase the involvement and understanding of the Muslim communities in tackling biodiversity conservation as well as climate change.