Quantification and comparison of ecosystem services of grasslands versus another fodder crop (maize) based on mineral nitrogen content in the 60–90 cm soil layer

Grasslands provide many ecosystem services. Apart from being a source of fodder for animals, grasslands regulate water and soil quality by reducing nitrogen emissions to the environment. The aim of the study was to determine the biophysical and monetary value of ecosystem services of grassland based on the “mineral nitrogen content in the soil layer 60–90 cm” indicator depending on the method of use and the type of soil, against the cultivation of maize for green fodder. The study area encompassed three provinces, different in terms of soil use, livestock population and intensity of grassland use. The investigation indicated that the value of ecosystem services provided by grasslands varied spatially and depended on the type of use and type of soil. In mineral soils, the lowest levels of this index were recorded from sites used for pasturing, while the highest levels were found under maize crops. In organic soils (without maize crops), the smallest losses of Nmin were observed in meadows while the highest losses were in pastures. Nmin losses in organic soils were higher than in mineral soils. The losses observed were highest in Opolskie Province, followed by Podlaskie Province, with the lowest losses in Lubelskie Province.

Towards disentangling heterogeneous soil moisture patterns in cosmic-ray neutron sensor footprints

Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) allows for non-invasive soil moisture estimations at the field scale. The derivation of soil moisture generally relies on secondary cosmic-ray neutrons in the epithermal to fast energy ranges. Most approaches and processing techniques for observed neutron intensities are based on the assumption of homogeneous site conditions or of soil moisture patterns with correlation lengths shorter than the measurement footprint of the neutron detector. However, in view of the non-linear relationship between neutron intensities and soil moisture, it is questionable whether these assumptions are applicable. In this study, we investigated how a non-uniform soil moisture distribution within the footprint impacts the CRNS soil moisture estimation and how the combined use of epithermal and thermal neutrons can be advantageous in this case. Thermal neutrons have lower energies and a substantially smaller measurement footprint around the sensor than epithermal neutrons. Analyses using the URANOS (Ultra RApid Neutron-Only Simulation) Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the measurement footprint dynamics at a study site in northeastern Germany revealed that the thermal footprint mainly covers mineral soils in the near-field to the sensor while the epithermal footprint also covers large areas with organic soils. We found that either combining the observed thermal and epithermal neutron intensities by a rescaling method developed in this study or adjusting all parameters of the transfer function leads to an improved calibration against the reference soil moisture measurements in the near-field compared to the standard approach and using epithermal neutrons alone. We also found that the relationship between thermal and epithermal neutrons provided an indicator for footprint heterogeneity. We, therefore, suggest that the combined use of thermal and epithermal neutrons offers the potential of a spatial disaggregation of the measurement footprint in terms of near- and far-field soil moisture dynamics.

Temperature effects on carbon storage are controlled by soil stabilisation capacities

Physical and chemical stabilisation mechanisms are now known to play a critical role in controlling carbon (C) storage in mineral soils, leading to suggestions that climate warming-induced C losses may be lower than previously predicted. By analysing > 9,000 soil profiles, here we show that, overall, C storage declines strongly with mean annual temperature. However, the reduction in C storage with temperature was more than three times greater in coarse-textured soils, with limited capacities for stabilising organic matter, than in fine-textured soils with greater stabilisation capacities. This pattern was observed independently in cool and warm regions, and after accounting for potentially confounding factors (plant productivity, precipitation, aridity, cation exchange capacity, and pH). The results could not, however, be represented by an established Earth system model (ESM). We conclude that warming will promote substantial soil C losses, but ESMs may not be predicting these losses accurately or which stocks are most vulnerable.

Determination of Relative Density and Degree of Saturation in Mineral Soils Based on In Situ Tests

Based on the results of dynamic probing (DP), time-domain reflectometry (TDR/MUX/MPTS), resistivity cone penetration tests (RCPT), Marchetti dilatometer tests (DMT), and seismic dilatometer tests (SDMT), it is possible to develop a relationship to calculate the relative density (Dr) and degree of saturation (Sr) of selected sandy soils. Compiled databases from documented research points for selected sandy soils were used to construct and develop direct correlations between the measured pressures p0 and p1 from DMT and shear wave velocity (Vs) from SDMT, along with pore water pressures (u0) and atmospheric pressure (Pa). The results allowed us to make a preliminary prediction when evaluating the parameters. Further, they allowed limiting the use of an additional device, especially in the case of multilayer heavy preconsolidated subsoils. Moreover, soil physical and mechanical characteristics (temperature, humidity, pressure, swelling, salinity) measured from TDR/MUX/MPTS (laboratory/field-operated meter for simultaneous measurements of soil moisture, matric potential, temperature, and salinity—bulk electrical conductivity) were assessed. The main achievement of this paper is the original proposal of using a new nomogram chart to determine the relative density and degree of saturation based on DMT and SDMT tests.

The influence of feed quality from peat soils on the productivity of cattle

In the context of the implementation of environmental, resource-saving systems of agriculture, research in the system of biogeocenosis is very relevant: soil – plant-feed-animal-livestock products. Peatlands and developed peat soils are a kind of environment for human activity in this system. As a result of many years of research, it was found that perennial grasses grown on peat soils have differences in chemical composition compared to plants grown on mineral soils. They contain more organic matter and raw protein. However, their digestibility of nutrients is lower than in herbs grown on mineral soils. Therefore, for a full-fledged balanced feeding of cows, the realization of the genetic potential of animal productivity, and the preservation of their health, scientifically-based diets are necessary, developed on the basis of bulky feeds obtained from peat and developed soils, with the introduction of appropriate feed additives in them.