Soil Quality and Organic Matter Pools in a Temperate Climate (Northern Italy) under Different Land Uses

Livia Vittori Antisari,Gloria Falsone,Mauro De Feudis,Gianluca Bianchini,William Trenti

doi:10.3390/agronomy11091815

Livia Vittori Antisari, Gloria Falsone + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091815

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Abstract

Temperate soils are threatened by degradation and soil organic matter (SOM) loss due to a combination of geomorphology, soil types, and anthropic pressure. In 54 sites in Northern Italy, characterized by different land uses, climates, geological substrates, and soils, we assessed (i) the soil quality, (ii) the SOM accumulation/degradation patterns, and (iii) whether land use and related soil management practices are sustainable based on changes in soil quality. Soil samples from the 0–15 and 15–30 cm deep layers were collected and analyzed for the soil parameters recommended by the FAO (bulk density, pH, organic and microbial C, total N, and soil respiration rate) and for the chemical SOM pools. Parameters related to the efficient use of soil microbial C were also calculated. The findings showed that agricultural lands where organic material was added had good soil quality and used microbial C efficiently. Reclaimed peaty soils degraded because the conditions were too stressful for the soil microbial biomass as supported by high metabolic quotient and the low values of mineralization quotient, microbial quotient, and soil biofertility index. Conservative management practices carried out in chestnuts were found to have a decreased soil degradation risk. An investigation of the soil parameters recommended by the FAO can be used to evaluate sustainable practices and soil quality on microbial activity and SOM dynamics.

Highlights

IntroductionHealthy and productive soils are important for the long-term sustainability of ecosystems [1] and provide key ecosystem services that support the goals of ecological, economic, and social management [2,3,4]
This study reports the results obtained from some projects of the Italian Rural Development Program (RDP)—Focus Area 5E projects—funded by the Emilia-Romagna region, aimed at addressing and supporting actions fostering carbon conservation and sequestration in agriculture and forestry
The findings obtained using the MSI suggested by the FAO and ITPS found the best soil quality in cluster 2 (C2), which was mainly related to the soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation promoted by climatic conditions and the addition of organic matter

Summary

Introduction

Healthy and productive soils are important for the long-term sustainability of ecosystems [1] and provide key ecosystem services that support the goals of ecological, economic, and social management [2,3,4]. Maintaining and restoring soil quality is essential for landbased management frameworks and policies, such as the European Green Deal [5], which addresses how to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030. Soil quality is the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, to maintain or enhance water and air quality, and to support human health and habitation [6]. By monitoring changes in soil quality, a land manager can determine if a set of practices is sustainable [7]

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