Eutric Leptosols Research Articles

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.

Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Change on Reservoir Sedimentation: The Case of Ribb Dam Reservoir, Lake Tana Sub Basin, Ethiopia

The land and water resources of the Lake Tana Sub Basin basin is in danger due to soil erosion, sediment transport, land degradation and storage capacity reduction. There is a need for sediment transport research of this basin that can improve catchment’s management programs.This study assesses the impact of land use and land cover change effects on reservoir sedimentation using SWAT model in Upper Ribb watershed. The land use and land cover change analyses for three different years of 1973, 1995 and 2016 were performed using ERDAS Imagine 2014 which was in turn used for estimation of sediment yield. In this study the bush/shrub land were changed to grazing and cultivated land. An increase of cultivated land by 29.947% over 43 years (1973 – 2016) period resulted in an increase of sediment yield by 343.25 t/km 2 /year respectively. Model calibration and validation for sediment yield were done at Abo Bahir. The performance of the model was also checked at this station. Both the monthly calibration and validation results showed good match between measured and simulated sediment yield data with the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.857, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) 0.832 for the calibration, and R 2 of 0.834 and NSE of 0.796 of the validation period.Spatial sediment distribution was done using the calibrated and validated sediment yield results of 2016 land use. High potential source areas were found at north-eastern part of the watershed which was a combined result of highly cultivated land, steep slope and erosive soil (Eutric Leptosols). Therefore, these critical sub- watersheds should preserve from further exposing of soil erosion through either forest resource development or uncultivated the steeply slope areas. And also the increasing/expanding bushes/shrub land should also be encouraged in the watershed first by applying for those most erosion prone sub watersheds. Keywords: Upper Ribb watershed, SWAT, sediment yield, spatial sediment distribution. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-3-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Microbial Biomass, Carbon Stocks, and CO2 Emission in Soils of Franz Josef Land: High-Arctic Tundra or Polar Deserts?

The biomass of prokaryotes and fungi, organic carbon stocks, and CO2 emission were studied in the Cryosols and Leptosols of Franz Josef Land. The highest carbon stocks were found in the Eutric Leptosols (Loamic, Humic) formed in the wind-sheltered areas (23.2 kg C/m2 in the upper 50 cm), as well as in Turbic Cryosols (Humiс) that contained organic matter buried by cryoturbation (13.7–20.7 kg C/m2). The number of prokaryotes varied between 0.14 and 2.10 billion cells/g of soil, and the maximum values of their biomass were found in the litter. The fungal biomass varied from tens to hundreds of mg/g of soil depending on the type of soil and biotope. The share of spores was more than a half of the total fungal biomass in 80% of cases. Spores and mycelium were mainly represented by small forms with a diameter of up to 2–3 microns. The length of the fungal mycelium ranged from 4 to 272 m/g of soil. The maximum development of fungi was observed in the lichen biocrusts and moss litters. The fungal biomass decreased exponentially with the depth of horizons, and at the same time the share of prokaryotes in microbial biomass increased by several times. The share of microbial carbon in the total organic carbon was higher in soils of barrens (the most extreme habitats among the studied ones) as compared with the soils of local tundra areas (12.7 versus 2.5%, respectively). The levels of СО2 emission from the surface of undisturbed soils varied in the range of 1.6–91.7 mg C–CО2/m2 per hour and differed by tens of times between barrens and tundra areas. The studied soils are close to the soils of the Arctic tundra when compared by their carbon stocks and CO2 emission values; however, their microbial biomass values and their distribution are close to the soils of Antarctica and hot deserts.

Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Change on Reservoir Sedimentation: The Case of Ribb Dam Reservoir, Lake Tana Sub Basin, Ethiopia

The land and water resources of the Lake Tana Sub Basin basin is in danger due to soil erosion, sediment transport, land degradation and storage capacity reduction. There is a need for sediment transport research of this basin that can improve catchment’s management programs. This study assesses the impact of land use and land cover change effects on reservoir sedimentation using SWAT model in Upper Ribb watershed. The land use and land cover change analyses for three different years of 1973, 1995 and 2016 were performed using ERDAS Imagine 2014 which was in turn used for estimation of sediment yield. In this study the bush/shrub land were changed to grazing and cultivated land. An increase of cultivated land by 29.947% over 43 years (1973 – 2016) period resulted in an increase of sediment yield by 343.25 t/km 2 /year respectively. Model calibration and validation for sediment yield were done at Abo Bahir. The performance of the model was also checked at this station. Both the monthly calibration and validation results showed good match between measured and simulated sediment yield data with the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.857, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) 0.832 for the calibration, and R 2 of 0.834 and NSE of 0.796 of the validation period. Spatial sediment distribution was done using the calibrated and validated sediment yield results of 2016 land use. High potential source areas were found at north-eastern part of the watershed which was a combined result of highly cultivated land, steep slope and erosive soil (Eutric Leptosols). Therefore, these critical sub- watersheds should preserve from further exposing of soil erosion through either forest resource development or uncultivated the steeply slope areas. And also the increasing/expanding bushes/shrub land should also be encouraged in the watershed first by applying for those most erosion prone sub watersheds. Keywords : Upper Ribb watershed, SWAT, sediment yield, spatial sediment distribution. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-5-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

The Influence of Ground Fires on the Properties and Erosion of Forest Soils in the Southern Urals (Bashkir State Nature Reserve)

The influence of ground fires of different ages on the morphological, hydrophysical, and physicochemical properties and on the humus status of dark gray soils (Luvic Retic Greyzemic Someric Phaeozems (Loamic)), gray soils (Eutric Retisols (Loamic, Cutanic, Humic)), and gray-humus lithozems (Eutric Leptosols) was studied in the Bashkir State Nature Reserve in the Southern Urals Mountains. A decrease in the bulk density, increase in the field, capillary, and total water capacities of the soils, alkalization of the soil solution, and an increase in the contents of organic carbon, nitrogen, and ash elements take place in the upper horizons of the soils affected by fires. The humus state of these soils changes: its composition becomes more humate; the portion of free humic acids decreases, the contents of calcium-bound humic acids and non-hydrolyzable residue increase; and the enrichment of humus with nitrogen takes place. The development of post-pyrogenic erosion on steep (13°–15°) slopes leads to significant differentiation of the properties related to the micro- and mesorelief. In the first year after the fire, the soil layer of 7.1 ± 2.3 cm thick was washed out; in the following three years, the average soil loss amounted to 4.6 ± 1.3 cm per year. Taking into account the soil bulk density, this is equivalent to the annual soil loss of 150–400 and 360–540 t/ha, respectively. The burning of herbaceous vegetation and litter, as well as soil erosion and deposition of eroded material are important factors of current pedogenesis in pyrogenic soils.

Effect of forest and soil type on microbial biomass carbon and respiration

The aim of study was to evaluate the variation of soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and microbial respiration (MR) in three types soil (Chromic Cambisols, Chromic Luvisols and Eutric Leptosols) of mixed beech forest (Beech- Hornbeam and Beech- Maple). Soil was randomly sampled from 0–10 cm layer (plant litter removed), 90 soil samples were taken. Cmic determined by the fumigation-extraction method and MR by closed bottle method. Soil Corg, Ntot and pH were measured. There are significant differences between the soil types concerning the Cmic content and MR. These parameters were highest in Chromic Cambisols following Chromic Luvisols, while the lowest were in Eutric Leptosols. A similar trend of Corg and Ntot was observed in studied soils. Two-way ANOVA indicated that soil type and forest type have significantly effect on the most soil characteristics. Chromic Cambisols shows a productive soil due to have the maximum Cmic, MR, Corg and Ntot. In Cambisols under Beech- Maple forest the Cmic value and soil C/N ratio were higher compared to Beech-Hornbeam (19.5 and 4.1 mg C g–1, and 16.3 and 3.3, respectively). This fact might be indicated that Maple litter had more easy decomposable organic compounds than Hornbeam. According to regression analysis, 89 and 68 percentage of Cmic variability could explain by soil Corg and Ntot respectively.

Effects of Variable Angular Velocities and Soil Moisture Contents on Undrained Shear Strength in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric Leptosol)

Effects of Variable Angular Velocities and Soil Moisture Contents on Undrained Shear Strength in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric Leptosol)

Spatial Patterns of Penetration Resistance and Soil Moisture Distribution in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric leptosol)

Spatial Patterns of Penetration Resistance and Soil Moisture Distribution in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric leptosol)

Spatial Characterization of Cone Index and Some Nutrients in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric Leptosol) Using the Multivariate Analysis

Spatial Characterization of Cone Index and Some Nutrients in a Sandy Loam Soil (Eutric Leptosol) Using the Multivariate Analysis

CHARACTERISTICS, CLASSIFICATION, EVALUATION AND GENESIS OF SOILS OF KALAMBAINA AREA, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA.

A detailed soil survey was conducted in Kalambaina area of Sokoto state, Nigeria, in order to obtain comprehensive data for the characterization, evaluation and classification as well as postulating the genesis of the soils. Three soil units (U1, U2 and VL) equivalent to soil series were mapped in the area. The morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of the soil units show that they best classify as Typic Ustipsamments, Lithic Ustorthents, and Aquic Haplustalfs respectively (USDA Soil Taxonomy) and correspondingly as Haplic Arenosols, Eutric Leptosols and Gleyic Luvisols in the FAO-UNESCO soil legend. Soil units U1, U2 and VL were classes IItn, IVd, and Vw according to Land Capability Classification (LCC). Similarly soil unit U1 and VL are irrigable and soil unit U2 is provisionally non-irragable. Suitability classification for urban land use (residential building) revealed that only Soil unit U1 is highly suitable while other are not due to severe limitations. Regarding the genesis of the soils, they have formed in parent materials of aeolian and colluvial origin deposited in late- Holocene over a surface cut in Kalambaina formation. Majority of the soils are underlain by continuous or discontinuous petroplinthite (ironstone hardpan) developed over the Kalambaina formation in a climate more humid than present. It is evident that because of the relatively dry (semi-arid) climate, the pedogenic processes that have operated and are operating to differentiate the soils consist of rapid humification and mineralisation of organic matter, homogenization and aggregation mainly. Some argillation and lessivation seem to be occurring in some profiles where seasonal fluctuating water table improves the soil moisture regime somewhat and has created a favourable seasonal wetting and drying conditions. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol.4 2003: 50-59

Characteristics, classification and potentials of soils in Werkaryia area, South Welo, Ethiopia

This paper examines the morphological, physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics of soils and maps the soil units of Werkaryia area, Kutaber wereda, south Welo. Moreover it examines the potential and constraints of soils for crop cultivation. The characteristics of soils were determined based on field survey and laboratory analysis. The classification of soil was based on the fao/unesco Revised Legend (1990). Eutric Vertisol, Haplic Phaeozem, Luvic Phaeozems, Mollic Gleysols, Mollic Fluvisols and Mollic, Lithic, and Eutric Leptosols are the major soil units identified in the area. Vertisols occur on the gently to strongly sloping alluvial toeslope and footslope. They are marked by high clay content, cracks, slickensides and gilgai topographic features. Cambic B and argic B of the Haplic Phaeozems and Luvic Phaeozems underlain the Mollic A of Phaeozems, respectively. Mollic Gleysols developed on alluvium deposition while Mollic Fluvisols on stratified deposition of the toeslope. Both Fluvisols and Gleysols are marked by gleyic and stagnic conditions. On the other hand, Leptosols are formed over the residuals of the trachyte of the upper slopes. They are characterized by shallow soil depth, below 30 cm. As a result of the parent materials, the soils of Werkaryia in general are characterised by high nutrient status and retention capacities. The pH of the soils is also favourable for crop cultivation. However, crop cultivation in the area is limited by low organic matter and total nitrogen of Vertisols and Phaeozems, by the poor drainage of Vertisols, the shallow depth and the high erosion rate in Leptosols, the high water table of Fluvisols and Gleysols, and the imbalance of nutrients and deficiency of some of the nutrients in almost all of the soils. Key words/phrases: Soil characteristics, soil classification, soil constraints, soils potentials, Welo SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.25(1) 2002: 45-70

Biological nitrogen fixation estimated by [formula omitted] dilution, natural [formula omitted] abundance, and N difference techniques in a subterranean clover–grass sward under Mediterranean conditions

Pasture legumes are used as a source of biologically fixed N 2. Several methods have been used to evaluate the amount of N 2 fixed in mixed pastures, but none is considered clearly superior. In a Eutric Leptosol of southern Portugal, N 2 fixation by subterranean clover mixed with grasses was evaluated over 2 years and subjected to several cuts by 15 N dilution (ID), natural 15 N abundance (NA) and N difference (ND) techniques. The amount of fixed N 2 in subterranean clover determined by natural 15 N abundance with correction for isotopic fractionation ranged from 32 kg N ha −1 in 1992/1993 to 37 kg N ha −1 in 1993/1994. Assuming that no isotopic fractionation occurred during fixation ( B=0‰), fixation capacities at around 80% of nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) were found by the natural 15 N abundance technique. However, with correction for isotopic fractionation during N 2 fixation ( B=−1.13‰), fixation capacities closer to 50% Ndfa were obtained, similar to the value obtained in the second-year experiment with the isotopic dilution method. In year 1, the fixation capacity, as estimated by the isotopic dilution method, was about 37% Ndfa. The nitrogen difference (clover N−grass N) calculations underestimated the amount of N 2 fixed in 1992/1993. This method assumes that both legumes and non-legumes absorb the same amount of N from the soil, which may not be true. Also, only the above-ground legume herbage was analyzed in this experiment. From the results, either ID or NA methods, particularly with a correction for the B-value, can be used to estimate N 2 fixation in mixed pastures, rather than the ND method. The natural 15 N abundance (NA) technique can be more versatile than the ID technique, allowing frequent sampling in undisturbed grassland ecosystems with reduced costs. Nitrogen fixation decreased in June, in both years, probably due to a lower soil water content and higher soil temperature.

Spatial analysis of gypsiferous soils in the Zaragoza province (Spain), using GIS as an aid to conservation

Within the Ebro valley, the Zaragoza province contains the largest area of gypsiferous soils in Spain. Previous mapping of the gypsum outcrops has been the starting point for this study of the soils developed on them. In this paper, gypsiferous soils are differentiated according to geological age, lithological facies and other depositional features. The most abundant gypsiferous soils correspond to Tertiary outcrops, where a typical catena includes Leptosols on the crest of the hillslopes, Regosols on the talus and Gypsisols on the valley bottom. Gypsiferous soils, developed on the Triassic Keuper facies and Quaternary materials, occupy a relatively small area. The gypsiferous soils have been mapped at a scale of 1:200 000. A CAD software package has been used for digitizing the soil units. A digital elevation model of the Zaragoza province has been created from the digitized topography. The geographical information system, IDRISI, has been used to integrate all the spatial information generated and to produce maps of the soil types classified according to slope and precipitation. In the Zaragoza province, the gypsiferous soils (Lithic and Eutric Leptosols, Petric, Calcic and Haplic Gypsisols, Gypsic Regosols, Gypsic Solonchaks) occupy a total area of 229 619 ha (13% of the area of the province). 25% of the gypsiferous soils occur within the semiarid area (annual rainfall<400 mm) indicating that climate is the main limiting factor for soil conservation, because of the fragility of gypsiferous soils, special care must be taken with land use operations on the 18 137 ha with slopes above 10°. The knowledge of the distribution of gypsiferous soils in relation to topographic and climatic factors provides an important basis for soil conservation and management.

Growth ofTrifolium subterraneumin schistic soils treated with sewage sludge having high Cu content

Use of subterranean clover pastures is one of the better ways to increase soil fertility and to reduce soil erosion. To eliminate difficulties in establishment of subterranean clover pastures, it is necessary to increase initial soil fertility, mainly in shallow soils degraded by erosion. Samples of two soils derived from schist (Eutric Leptosol and Chromic Luvisol) were treated with five rates of a sewage sludge with high Cu content (872 mg kg−1), equivalent to 0, 5, 10, 20, and 60 Mg ha−1, and PK fertilization, in a pot experiment. Dry matter yields of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) differed significantly (p < 0.01) between soils and sludge treatments. Yields with sludge treatment were less than those with PK fertilization. Foliar analysis indicated that yield differences could be explained not only by Zn added to the soil by sewage sludge in Leptosol, but mainly by differences in the properties of the two soil samples. Soil Cu levels were unrelated to clover yield, even when Cu content in postexperiment soil samples was similar to the limits values of heavy metals concentration in soils established by the CEE Directive concerning environmental protection for the agricultural use of sewage sludge.

Soils of the Darror Valley (northeast Somalia)

Summary The Darror Valley is located in the arid part of northeast Somalia. Its soils are highly influenced by their parent material, which consists mainly of evaporites, limestone, conglomerate and alluvial deposits. The most common soils in this area are calcic Solonchaks, gypsic Solonchaks, gypsic Calcisols, haplic Calcisols, eutric Leptosols and calcic Vertisols. All soils have a neutral to weakly alkaline pH-value and are very rich in carbonates, often rich in gypsum, often saline, and their moisture content at the end of the dry season is much lower than the moisture content of the permanent wilting point. Most of these soils have a colour of 7.5 YR, which becomes more red in the subsoil. Analytical data indicate that the topsoils are usually enriched in carbonate, whereas the subsoils are enriched in gypsum and/or salt. The soil salinization is mainly due to Tertiary evaporite formations.