Anthropogenic Soil Research Articles

Soil Erosion Under Climate and Land Use Changes in China: Incorporating Ecological Policy Constraints

ABSTRACTProjections of soil erosion under climate and land use changes are pivotal for optimizing soil conservation strategies. Ecological policies are thought to influence future land‐use changes and associated soil erosion dynamics. However, these policies are inadequately incorporated into projections, leaving the future trajectory of soil erosion still unclear. China's ecological redline policy (ERP) is among the first national policies to integrate multiple ecosystem services into land use planning, preventing anthropogenic soil erosion on over 25% of the territory. Therefore, focusing on China, three alternative Shared Socioeconomic Pathway and Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (SSP1‐2.6, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5) were coupled with future‐oriented ERP to reflect future soil erosion patterns by the late‐21st century. Projections rely on an integrated multi‐model approach. The conducted analysis suggests that climate change is projected to exacerbate soil erosion by 12.06%–36.90% due to increased precipitation, characterized by high‐intensity events. Land use change is projected to mitigate or even reverse the climate‐induced increase in soil erosion. The combined climate and land use simulations showed that the annual average soil erosion rate will increase by 26.36% under the SSP5‐8.5 scenario, while it will decrease by 8.08% and 14.94% under the SSP1‐2.6 and SSP3‐7.0 scenarios, respectively. The implementation of ERP reduces potential soil erosion by 4.08%–14.89% (equal to 0.31–0.86 Gt year−1 soil loss) in the late‐21st century, particularly in scenarios with intensive conflicts between population and land sources. This study provides a valuable reference for the formulation of national strategies aimed at controlling soil loss accelerated by climate change.

Map of anthropogenic soil disturbance in Russia

Soils play an important role in maintaining the sustainability of the biosphere, as well as providing food, clothing and the basis for human life on Earth. In the process of irrational land use, soils are often degraded and sometimes completely destroyed. But, inventory of destroyed soils on a systematic basis is still not conducted in any country of the world. In Russia, traditional soil maps do not reflect the destroyed soils either. We have made an attempt to create the first map of the country, which shows soils destroyed as a result of directed anthropogenic impact. The map shows areas where soil cover was destroyed as a result of construction of buildings, structures, roads and railroads, quarries and embankments during mining. The crowdsourcing database OpenStreetMap was used as the main source of information, as well as the results of visual interpretation of disturbed soils using GoogleEarthTM satellite data. The data on disturbed soils were aggregated to soil-geographical sections of the Unified State Register of Soil Resources of Russia (scale 1 : 2500000) (UGRSR). The map is presented in GIS format (shapefile). The map contains information on the area and share of disturbed soils, as well as the type of impact that resulted in disturbance.

Agricultural terraces in Puebla, Mexico: An ethnopedological approach

Terrace systems have been instrumental in the evolution of agriculture across various cultural contexts. This technology offers several benefits, including soil and water conservation, improved soil fertility, enhanced agricultural management, and increased crop yields. Several studies have been conducted on agricultural terraces in Mesoamerica. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of research on anthropogenic soils and ethnopedological studies in Mexico. This study aimed to ascertain the local soil knowledge and describe the ancestral terrace systems within a popoloca community in southern Puebla, Mexico. An ethnopedological survey was conducted on a 10,366 ha area to determine the land types and terrace systems present. Surface terraced soil samples were collected, and nine soil profiles within runoff terraces were described. The objectives were as follows: 1) to characterize and describe terrace systems in Santiago Acatepec, 2) to understand the indigenous land classification system and 3) to study the relation and impact of terraces systems on soil formation and WRB classification. The results indicate two types of terraces (hillside and runoff terraces), covering 2578 ha of land. Farmers recognize eight distinct land classes, with unique characteristics and agricultural uses. The land classes encompass both anthropogenic and natural soils. These land classes are classified as Terric Anthrosols, Eutric Regosols, Eutric Leptosols, and Pellic Vertisols. These results show farmers' detailed knowledge about their soils and the advantages and limitations of terraces. The modern and ancient terraces were classified according to seven diverse types of embankments or walls. The traditional embankment, designated as “cuaxustles,” is associated with runoff terraces and is known to have a lifespan exceeding one hundred years. Following the construction of a terrace, the land in question can be cultivated for agricultural purposes after a period of two years. The traditional knowledge of the soil has enabled the farmers of Acatepec to establish new agricultural areas, select crops that are well-suited to the soil conditions and climate of the region, and implement long-term modifications to the landscape. The findings indicate that it is feasible to implement environmental modifications that prioritize soil conservation and enhancement on a significant scale while also considering economic factors and the time frame involved.

Culture, climate, and landscape shape the savanna and wetland mosaic of the Bolivian Amazon

Environmental archeology of the Amazon has conventionally focused on terrestrial spaces, investigating crop domestication and production, agroforestry and anthropogenic soils. Aquatic environments, however, have been given less attention by archeologists and paleoenvironmental scientists alike. The Llanos de Mojos, a 135,000 km2 basin of the Amazon and mosaic landscape of savannas, wetlands and forests, has long been recognized for its archeological record. A variety of anthropogenic earthworks across the region show significant landscape modifications from Pre-Columbian times used for transportation, resource production and control of floodwaters. Here, we investigate the use and management of wetlands, and their interaction in the wider Mojos mosaic landscape, by integrating extensive archeological, paleoenvironmental and GIS datasets. We demonstrate that past human modifications of the landscape enabled the creation of complex wetland-terrestrial system of resource production, in which wetlands were managed, complementary to terrestrial crop production and agroforestry. Across short distances (40 km), land use strategies were heterogeneous despite being connected in time and space. Additionally, mixed wetland-terrestrial resource production was relatively stable during periods of lower rainfall from 1200–1500 CE, implying that this strategy provided flexibility under conditions of variable climate. The wetlands of the Llanos de Mojos are the result of millennia of human intervention and recognition of this deep heritage is required to make informed management and conservation decisions to ensure the future of this culturally and biologically diverse region.

Experimental assessment of strength characteristics of anthropogenic soils in a given mining area for justification of tractor propulsion type

BACKGROUND: In mining, there is a need to develop tractors as special robotic vehicles of the robotic mining facility that can efficiently move and work on soils with low bearing capacity, in waterlogged areas and in the underwater position. A preliminary evaluation of the strength characteristics of such a heterogeneous surface of the exploitation area helps to choose an effective concept and technical characteristics of the propulsor of the tractor. AIM: Formation of the database of the physical condition and mechanical properties of the environment in which the tractor will move and operate. METHODS: In order to achieve the aim, preliminary experiments were conducted on the terrain. Typical kinds of soil sites and watered areas, including those of anthropogenic origin, of a given mining area were identified. Full-scale instrumental tests were conducted to determine: granulometric composition of soils; physical and mechanical parameters of these soils at the selected sites using the developed original types of a penetrometer and a shear rig. RESULTS: The database of numerical values of measured strength characteristics of one of the soil types (as an example) as a possible supporting surface for vehicle motion in the area of mining facility operation is presented in a graphical form. The basis of this database is the graphs according to the results of experiments on free settlement and shear with the help of dies of two types of configuration (the round die and the original caterpillar track respectively); the granulometric composition of the selected soils has been evaluated. CONCLUSION: The methodology of preliminary assessment of the soil condition by two indicators of soil strength (the rut depth z depending on the average pressure under the die) and shear (average tangential stresses τ in the contact patch on the motion of the die relative to the soil, depending on the ratio of the normal force and the traction force in the contact plane) has been developed. The 3D model of the coastal and bottom area of the technogenic mining zone has been developed. Design variants of highly efficient types of tractor propulsors are selected on the basis of prediction of maximum allowable stresses in the contact patch with the ground for the bearing surface areas of the considered area of operation.

Effect of Composted Organic Waste on Miscanthus sinensis Andersson Yield, Morphological Characteristics and Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Content

The aim of this research was to determine the impact of composted mushroom substrate and composted municipal waste on the quality and yield of Miscanthus sinensis Andersson biomass. The plant was grown on anthropogenic soil, cultured earth type and hortisol subtype, with a pH of 6.81. Before planting rhizomes, experimental plots were treated with composted mushroom substrate and composted municipal waste, applied separately or in combination, each dose introducing 170 N kg·ha−1 to the soil. During the experiment, observations of plant development and growth were carried out, and the yield was determined. Each growing season’s measurements were taken of the grass height, the number and diameter of stems and the number of leaf blades and of nodes per stem. In order to determine the level of plant stress, relative chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The measurements were carried out in a non-invasive way, using the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter and OS30p+ plant stress meter. For the research hypothesis, it was assumed that the one-time addition of composted mushroom substrate and composted municipal waste to the soil would increase yields. The experiment also aimed to assess the impact of both types of compost on the yield and morphological characteristics of Miscanthus sinensis. Its yields increased steadily, and, in the third year of cultivation, were higher by 52%. The highest average yields were noted on plots fertilized only with composted mushroom substrate (KPP100%), with 8.44 Mg·ha−1 DM, and with compost from municipal waste (KOM100%), with 7.91 Mg·ha−1 DM. The experience presents a solution to the problem of increasing amounts of organic waste and represents an improvement in cultivation techniques to increase crop yields, improve their quality and increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. This paper highlights the possibility of applying environmentally friendly organic waste materials to energy crops used as a sustainable energy source.

Toward a more realistic estimate of exposure to chromium and nickel in soils of geogenic and/or anthropogenic origin: importance of oral bioaccessibility.

To enhance risk assessment for contaminated sites, incorporating bioavailability through bioaccessibility as a corrective factor to total concentration is essential to provide a more realistic estimate of exposure. While the main in vitro tests have been validated for As, Cd, and/or Pb, their potential for assessing the bioaccessibility of additional elements remains underexplored. In this study, the physicochemical parameters, pseudototal Cr and Ni concentrations, soil phase distribution, and oral bioaccessibility of twenty-seven soil samples were analysed using both the ISO 17924 standard and a simplified test based on hydrochloric acid. The results showed wide variability in terms of the concentrations (from 31 to 21,079mgkg-1 for Cr, and from 26 to 11,663mgkg-1 for Ni) and generally low bioaccessibility for Cr and Ni, with levels below 20% and 30%, respectively. Bioaccessibility variability was greater for anthropogenic soils, while geogenic enriched soils exhibited low bioaccessibility. The soil parameters had an influence on bioaccessibility, but the effects depended on the soils of interest. Sequential extractions provided the most comprehensive explanation for bioaccessibility. Cr and Ni were mostly associated with the residual fraction, indicating limited bioaccessibility. Ni was distributed in all phases, whereas Cr was absent from the most mobile phase, which may explain the lower bioaccessibility of Cr compared to that of Ni. The study showed promising results for the use of the simplified test to predict Cr and Ni bioaccessibility, and its importance for more accurate human exposure evaluation and effective soil management practices.

Effect of shear rate and saturation on shear strength of mineral and anthropogenic soil

The aim of the study was to determine the shear strength of mineral and anthropogenic soil of similar grain size as a function of the applied shear rate and water saturation. Stability calculations using the finite element method of the road embankment model were also carried out to demonstrate the variation in factor of safety values depending on the adopted values of the angle of internal friction and cohesion. The tests were carried out in a direct shear apparatus in a 100 x 100 mm box with a sample height of 20.5 mm. The samples were formed directly in the apparatus box at optimum moisture content until a compaction index of IS = 1.00 was obtained. Tests were carried out under conditions without and with water saturation at shear rates of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mm•min–1 until 18% horizontal displacement was achieved. The results showed that the effect of shear rate on the strength parameters was not unequivocal and was much smaller than the changes caused by saturation of samples. An increase in shear rate resulted in small changes in the angle of internal friction with a tendency towards a decrease. In contrast, cohesion varied over a much larger range with increasing shear rate, with an apparent initial decrease and subsequent increase. The saturation of the samples resulted in a decrease in the angle of internal friction of the cohesive soil and an increase for the ash-slag mixture. The cohesion of both soils decreased. The results obtained from the road embankment model stability calculations confirmed that soil saturation had a greater influence on the factor of safety values obtained than the shear rate.

Soil history

Abstract Proposal Soil history can be included in formal soil records. Application Context information accompanying soil-profile descriptions can include an explicit text field “soil history”; soil-map polygon attributes can capture soil history; soil characteristics from points, transects and areas can include soil history as descriptors for points, features, areas, and landscapes. Scope Soil history can capture facts, knowledge and inferences about human interaction with earth materials, such as earthworks, drainage, irrigation, cultivation, liming, fertilising, construction and demolition, excavation and deposition, sealing, compaction, and contamination, while the purpose, meaning or social context of such actions can usefully support understanding. Sources contributing to soil history include soil management records, engineering and planning designs, documentary accounts of land use activities, maps showing building and pavement forms and topographic features, local knowledge and folklore accounts, public administration records, legal instruments, supported by interpretations from site and soil morphologies. Potential While soil genesis is often obscure when based on soil morphology, soil history built on independent sources helps understanding of soils, principally anthropogenic soils and human action in soils more broadly. Recording soil history supplements morphological soil characterisation, and can inform World Reference Base classification. Including soil history within formal and structured soil information is now possible and needed.

Anthropogenic soil as an environmental material, as exemplified with improved growth of rice seedlings

Herein, the feasibility of artificial black soil (ABS) derived from hydrothermal humification-hydrothermal carbonization (HTH-HTC) for restructuration of weak soil was verified. This study breaks through the long history of soil formation and evolution, and obtains reconstructed anthropogenic soil (AS) system which only takes one month, for the further application of rice seedlings. HTH-HTC derived by-products are slightly acidic, which facilitates the effective nutrient uptake and prevention of wilt diseases for acid-loving rice seedlings. AS mainly consists of the inherent components retained from weak soil such as SiO2 and minerals, and exogenous components such as artificial humic substances and hydrochar, as introduced by hydrothermal humification processes. Results exhibit that AS has high contents of ammonium nitrogen, organic matter, organic carbon, and abundant porous structure for nutrient transport and water holding, especially, the community diversity and richness of microbial system gets the expected recovery and new beneficial bacteria (such as Caballeronia calidae) or fungi (such as Humicola) appear. Positive effects of AS on agronomic traits in rice seedlings are quantified. As a general result, this study supports the application of AS in sustainable agriculture, and provides a novel strategy to tackle the already-omnipresent land degradation by anthropogenic misuse and larger scale accidents.

Genes in the Chagra: Crop and Crop Wild Relative Landesque Capital among Amazonian Runa in Ecuador

This study delves into the relationship between human cultures and plant genetic diversity, centering on the expanded concept of landesque capital. Traditionally, this term has encapsulated human-made environmental modifications, such as anthropogenic soils or terraces, that can yield long-term benefits. We extend this notion to embrace the genetic diversity and dynamics of crops and crop wild relative (CWR) gene pools. The investigation focuses on the Napo Runa of Ecuador and their cultural practices, including selection, seed saving, and transplantation, to highlight potential models of selection pressures affecting crop-CWR complexes and any cultural practices connected to either. In doing so, we aim to underscore the interconnected and multispecies nature of the relationships among genetic diversity and cultural diversity. Changes in the genetic makeup of one plant, induced by human interaction, can affect its cultivated counterparts through hybridization or future breeding programs, thereby influencing agricultural resilience, nutritional value, and the very cultural practices dependent on these crops or any related to them. Consequently, we argue for a focused examination of plant-based forms of landesque capital or any gene pool-based form, including animals or microbial life. This approach highlights the importance of interconnecting biocultural diversity between cultivated plants and their “wild” relatives and recognizing the intricate interdependencies between cultural practices and gene pools in the face of environmental challenges.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Soil Quality Degradation and Emissions in the State of Iowa (USA)

The concept of soil quality (SQ) is defined as the soil's capacity to function, which is commonly assessed at the field scale. Soil quality is composed of inherent (soil suitability) and dynamic (soil health, SH) SQ, which can also be analyzed using geospatial tools as a SQ continuum (SQC). This study proposes an innovative spatiotemporal analysis of SQ degradation and emissions from land developments using the state of Iowa (IA) in the United States of America (USA) as a case study. The SQ degradation was linked to anthropogenic soil (SD) and land degradation (LD) in the state. More than 88% of land in IA experienced anthropogenic LD primarily due to agriculture (93%). All six soil orders were subject to various degrees of anthropogenic LD: Entisols (75%), Inceptisols (94%), Histosols (59%), Alfisols (79%), Mollisols (93%), and Vertisols (98%). Soil and LD have primarily increased between 2001 and 2016. In addition to agricultural LD, there was also SD/LD caused by an increase in developments often through urbanization. All land developments in IA can be linked to damages to SQ, with 8385.9 km2 of developed area, causing midpoint total soil carbon (TSC) losses of 1.7 × 1011 kg of C and an associated midpoint of social cost of carbon dioxide emissions (SC-CO2) of $28.8B (where B = billion = 109, USD). More recently developed land area (398.5 km2) between 2001 and 2016 likely caused the midpoint loss of 8.0 × 109 kg of C and a corresponding midpoint of $1.3B in SC-CO2. New developments are often located near urban areas, for example, near the capital city of Des Moines, and other cities (Sioux City, Dubuque). Results of this study reveal several different kinds of SQ damage from developments: loss of potential for future C sequestration in soils, soil C loss, and “realized” soil C social costs (SC-CO2). The state of IA has very limited potential land (2.0% of the total state area) for nature-based solutions (NBS) to compensate for SD and LD. The results of this study can be used to support pending soil health-related legislation in IA and monitoring towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations (UN) by providing a landscape-level perspective on LD to focus field-level initiatives to reduce soil loss and improve SQ. Future technological innovations will provide higher spatial and temporal remote sensing data that can be fused with field-level direct sensing to track SH and SQ changes.

Unsaturated hydraulic property measurements of subtropical anthropogenic (purple) soils in China

AbstractMany anthropogenic soils, often referred to as red bed or purple soils, are distributed in various areas of southern China. Purple soils typically are highly weathered and often lead to natural and engineering hazards because of their relatively poor water retention properties. Knowledge of the unsaturated soil hydraulic properties of purple soils is crucial for their optimal management and various assessment studies. In this work, the hydraulic properties of purple soils from southern China were measured in the laboratory over the full moisture range using a combination of evaporation (HYPROP) and psychrometer (WP4C) approaches. Measured data were analyzed in terms of four different unimodal and bimodal soil hydraulic models. The measurements and analyses showed that bimodality was not overly significant for most samples. The good fit of the Peters–Durner–Iden models furthermore suggested that corner and film flows were important under relative dry conditions. Existing soil pedotransfer functions were found to provide a fairly close match for the slope of water retention curves with the exception of near saturated water contents and the saturated conductivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that unsaturated hydraulic data of purple soils are provided over the full moisture range.

Anthropogenic Soils Evaluation in the Southwestern Part of the Apsheron Peninsula

The results of obtaining rating points for technogenic soils in the southwestern part of the Apsheron Peninsula are presented. The results of the chemical composition of soils are presented. The rating points were calculated, and the main rating scale was constructed. Applying correction factors for particle size distribution, thickness, salinity and solonetz content, the final rating points were calculated, and the final rating scale was constructed.

Fecal biomarkers in Italian anthropogenic soil horizons and deposits from Middle Ages and bronze age

Archaeological excavations in urban and rural contexts often uncover dark homogeneous anthropogenic deposits, soils and soil horizons, known as Dark Earths, Cultural Layers and Anthrosols. Major scientific questions arise about the processes that lead to the formation of these soils and deposits, as they are often related to a complex combination of environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic factors. Many studies focused on the morphological and physical-chemical investigation of the archaeological remains found as well as the inorganic constituent of the soil. The organic fraction has been only roughly investigated and studies carried out on a molecular level are very limited. However, a more refined investigation of the chemical constituents of these soils can potentially reveal pivotal insights on the archaeological context such as past domestic habits and/or urban organization. It has been demonstrated that, among organic matter constituents, fecal steroids are promising biomarkers to track fecal input in many environmental matrixes such as water, soils, and sediments. In this paper we determine the fecal sterols and stanols content in dark homogeneous anthropogenic deposits and soils found in seven archaeological sites in Italy (from Verona, Como, Florence, Mel and Conegliano) dated from the Late Bronze Age and the Medieval Period, aiming to assess the major contribution of the fecal input using diagnostic fecal indexes obtained from specific fecal sterol proportions. To this purpose, a baseline was established by identifying the fecal fingerprint of domestic herbivores (caprids, ovines, equines and bovines) and omnivores (pigs). Based on their fecal fingerprint, we classified the deposits of seven studied sites into four distinct categories: i) the medieval sites of Verona, presented a strong mixed fecal input from both herbivores and humans; ii) the medieval sites of Como and Florence which showed a similar pattern, with a predominance of human fecal input over livestock; iii) the late medieval soils of Mel and the late bronze age Cultural Layers of Castellar di Leppia (Verona) which exhibited a generally scarce fecal contamination while iv) the final bronze age site of Conegliano (Treviso), a strong fecal contamination from herbivores was detected. These results thus demonstrate that for the Medieval Dark Earth the socio-cultural processes leading to the formation of the Dark Earth differ in terms of sewage and waste management and/or in animal husbandry practices.

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) in shellmounds and swiddens: ancient history in Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil

BackgroundIn Babitonga Bay, southern Brazil, records of yam consumption exist among shellmound builders from at least 4000 years ago. Shellmounds (sambaquis) are anthropogenic structures in the form of mounds with layers of shells associated with other faunal remains, as well as with charcoal, artefacts and burial. Larger sambaquis are considered to be funerary monuments. The indigenous Jê and Guarani people also lived in the region before the European invasion and cultivated yams. Currently, exotic and domesticated yams are cultivated in the region by farmers. Our aim is to describe the long-term history between the people and Dioscorea in the Babitonga Bay region based on its consumption and occurrence in shellmounds and swiddens.MethodsSurveys of Dioscorea spp. and host were carried out in the vegetation of shellmounds and in the surrounding area using visual detection through intensive searches in transects using the walking method. The survey of Dioscorea species used and cultivated in the precolonial, colonial and current periods was carried out based on the literature. In the present study, only Dioscorea trifida cultivations were recorded.ResultsDioscorea cayennensis, Dioscorea chondrocarpa, Dioscorea dodecaneura, Dioscorea laxiflora, Dioscorea olfersiana, and Dioscorea scabra, all recorded in associated vegetation of shellmounds, in different combinations of the species. In swiddens, D. trifida is most common, followed by Dioscorea alata and, to a lesser extent, Dioscorea bulbifera and D. cayennensis. Records of food use prevail, but they are used as medicinal plants. Yams are integrated on anthropogenic soils of shellmounds and in swiddens in monoculture systems or in intercropping with Zea mays or Colocasia esculenta. The presence of exotic food trees and D. cayennensis in some shellmounds indicates the influence of colonizers on the composition of the vegetation. In sambaquis, there are overlapping processes of construction of cultural niches by different human groups at different times.ConclusionsThe sambaquis and the associated vegetation and swiddens form part of a domesticated landscape. The native species of Dioscorea recorded in shellmounds and surrounding vegetation do not depend on human action to perpetuate themselves in the environment. However, this does not rule out human influence in the past, but it does not indicate horticulture among the Sambaquianos. Greater investment in genetic, archaeobotanical and ethnobotanical research can contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between people and yams over thousands of years.

Soil carbon, nutrient, and vegetation dynamics of an old Anogeissus grove in Mole National Park, Ghana

AbstractFormation of forest islands in West Africa has been linked to anthropogenic soil improvement resulting in luxuriant tree growth in otherwise open savanna landscapes. However, there is limited understanding of how such unique ecosystems modulate soil carbon (C) dynamics and nutrient cycling. In this study, we report soil nutrient characteristics and two distinct soil organic carbon pools of Anogeissus grove (forest island) associated with abandoned village sites of the Mole National Park in the Guinea savanna or tropical continental climatic zone of Ghana, taking opportunity of a previously published study in Biotropica in 1978. We compared present‐day differences in soil characteristics between the previously studied forest grove and adjoining open savanna in the Park and evaluated vegetation dynamics since first measurement in 1974. Overall, we see changes related to self‐thinning and expansion of the grove on a decadal timescale. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus contents were greater in the grove and increased by 19.6% and 18.7%, respectively over time, showing persistence after four decades. Mineral‐associated organic carbon (MAOC) differed significantly (p < .05) between the vegetation types, being 3.44% in the grove and 2.34% in the savanna. The grove was ca. 25% greater in particulate organic carbon (POC) content than the savanna. In both vegetation types, >55% of carbon was stabilized in the mineral fraction. Our study demonstrates long‐term human impacts on soil and vegetation and offers a clear nature‐based solution for climate change mitigation through sustainable land management by indigenous people toward achievement of the “4p1000” initiative.

An Anthropogenic Soil Disturbance Map of Russia

An Anthropogenic Soil Disturbance Map of Russia

Geoarchaeology of open-air sites of the Foz do Chapecó area in the upper Uruguay river, southern Brazil

This paper presents the results of the investigations that defined the formation of the sedimentary deposits and the chronological sequence of the Foz do Chapecó archaeological area in the Volta Grande of the Upper Uruguay River, Southern Brazil. This research was undertaken to contribute to the definition of the diachronic, sedimentary and stratigraphic context of the archaeological occupations. To achieve these goals a geoarchaeological prospection by land and water was conducted, focusing on the valley bottoms, in the whole Volta Grande area. It comprehended the characterization of surface sedimentary deposits, the exposure and analysis of stratigraphic profiles, and sedimentological analysis. Four superficially exposed deposits were identified: i.e., fluvial conglomerates, fine sediments with sandy texture, clay colluviums and current and recent alluvial deposits. Six interesting points for the opening of stratigraphic profiles were identified, and subsequently resulted in the identification of sedimentary facies associated with river-bed, colluvial and colluvial-alluvial deposits. Three of these points presented a clear sequence of archaeological levels in the stratigraphic context. The results indicated that the local sediments are predominantly composed of a variable mixture of silt and clay, with sands occurring predominantly in an interdigitated form. The stratigraphic structure of the identified layers led to the establishment of 7 sedimentary facies, associated with colluvium (Cm), colluvium-alluvium (Sm) and alluvium and fluvial channels (Sm, Fl, Gms, Gt, Gp, Gh). The radiocarbon dating gives an age between 12.0 and 0.3 cal kBP, indicating that the filling of the local valley occurred during the end of the Pleistocene and throughout the Holocene by means of both fluvial and colluvial systems. Nine distinct archaeological levels, with a clear stratigraphic, chronological, and technological characterization were identified. The pre-ceramic archaeological sequence shows the following chronology: the oldest occupation occurred between 12.0 and 11.0 cal kBP (Cm facies); this was followed by an occupation between 10.5 and 9.5 cal kBP (Cm, Gt, Gp and Gh facies in three archaeological sites with eleven 14C data), then an occupation between 8.7 and 8.5 cal kBP (Cm facies), another between 5.7 and 5.5 cal kBP, one more between 4.8 and 4.6 cal kBP (Cm facies), and the last between 3.4 and 3.3 cal kBP (Cm and Sm facies). The ceramic phase seems to form a single dense component with the anthropogenic soil formation, and was dated between 0.5 and 0.3 cal kBP (Sm facies). These data present a previously unpublished chronostratigraphic sequence that is unique for the context of open-air sites in inner southern Brazil.

Landscape-scale spatial variations of pre-Columbian anthropogenic disturbances at three ring ditch sites in French Guiana.

In the past two decades, repeated discoveries of numerous geometric earthworks in interfluvial regions of Amazonia have shed new light onto the territorial extent and the long-term impact of pre-Columbian populations on contemporary landscapes. In particular, the recent development of LiDAR imagery has accelerated the discovery of earthworks in densely forested hinterlands throughout the Amazon basin and the Guiana Shield. This study aimed to evaluate the extent and landscape-scale spatial variations of pre-Columbian disturbances at three ring ditch sites in the French Guiana hinterland. We carried out extensive soil surveys along approximately 1 km-long transects spanning from ring ditches through the surrounding landscapes, and drawn upon multiple indicators, including archaeological artifacts, macro- and micro-charcoals, soil colorimetry, and physicochemical properties to retrace the pre-Columbian history of these sites in terms of occupation periods, anthropogenic soil alteration, and ancient land use. Our results revealed a perennial occupation of these sites over long periods ranging from the 5th and 15th centuries CE, with local enrichments in chemical indicators (Corg, N, Mg, K, Ca) both within the enclosures of ring ditches and in the surrounding landscapes. Physicochemical properties variations were accompanied by variations in soil colorimetry, with darker soils within the enclosure of ring ditches in terra-firme areas. Interestingly however, soil properties did not meet all the characteristics of the so-called Amazonian Dark Earths, thus advocating a paradigm shift towards a better integration of Amazonian Brown Earths into the definition of anthropogenic soils in Amazonia. Soil disturbances were also associated to local enrichments in macro- and micro-charcoals that support in situ fire management that could be attributed to forest clearance and/or slash-and-burn cultivation. Taken together, our results support the idea that pre-Columbian societies made extensive use of their landscapes in the interfluvial regions of the French Guiana hinterlands.