Abstract
In the last few decades, the use of environmental radionuclides, particularly caesium-137 (137Cs), represented one of the most valid methods for estimating soil erosion. However, the cost associated with the use of the equipment needed for radiometric analyses is still high and, for this reason, finding more easily measurable indicators can be useful. There is a strong correlation between 137Cs, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N) and water soluble phenols (WSP) exists, indicating the latter parameters as possible early indicators of soil erosion. Based on the above assumptions, the main purpose of this work is to identify specific soil chemical parameters able to indicate early triggering of soil erosion. Specifically, several soil parameters such as pH, electric conductivity (EC), WSP, OC, N and C/N have been evaluated against 137Cs and on a comparative basis. In addition, since the rate of soil erosion depends on the degree of coverage and canopy structure, two different tree species (Pinus nigra laricio Poir. and Fagus sylvatica L.) have been considered in this contribution in which ten different scenarios of forest management have been analysed. The results show that the reduction in tree cover of managed sites triggers erosion and nutrient loss processes. It has been observed that the loss of 137Cs, compared to the control areas, is closely correlated with those of WSP, OC and N. These parameters (WSP, OC and N), more easily assessable, can be a valid tool to understand easily, triggering of erosive phenomena.
Highlights
Soil erosion/degradation depends on many factors such as soil characteristics, ground slope, vegetation cover and distribution, as well as amount and intensity of rain, which in turn can severely affect soil quality and productivity by removing the most fertile topsoil (Zuazo and Pleguezuelo 2008)
Considering the key role played by soil in view of the planet’s sustainable future, and taking into account that soil is lost from terrestrial areas from 10 to 40 times faster than its renewal, imperilling food security and environmental quality (FAO 2017), it is of primary importance, nowadays, to individuate, as soon as possible, the triggering of soil erosion process
The much lower 137Cs inventory in innovative thinning (IT) suggested that the triggering of erosive phenomena was very pronounced in this area compared to TT area where a traditional thinning was performed
Summary
Soil erosion/degradation depends on many factors such as soil characteristics, ground slope, vegetation cover and distribution, as well as amount and intensity of rain, which in turn can severely affect soil quality and productivity by removing the most fertile topsoil (Zuazo and Pleguezuelo 2008). Considering the key role played by soil in view of the planet’s sustainable future, and taking into account that soil is lost from terrestrial areas from 10 to 40 times faster than its renewal, imperilling food security and environmental quality (FAO 2017), it is of primary importance, nowadays, to individuate, as soon as possible, the triggering of soil erosion process. Forests play a pivotal role in maintaining the environmental ecological balance, and are strictly connected with soils with a great influence on each other and on the wider environment. The growing population growth and the consequent request for timber and fibres, in addition to the growing global market concurrence are exacerbating the pressure on forest ecosystems. All this is leading to an intensification of forest management activities, which if improperly executed can result in serious damages to soil, with organic matter loss, nutrient cycle disequilibrium (Johnson 1992; Neary et al 1999; Balboa-Murias et al 2006; Nilsen and Strand 2008), and soil compaction
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