Soil Health Assessment Research Articles

Assessing soil health in a thermic region of the southern great plains, using the soil management assessment framework (SMAF)

The soil management assessment framework (SMAF) has been widely used as a tool to quantify soil health. However, SMAF was developed using data from only a few climate conditions in the United States and regional verification is often suggested. We evaluated SMAF's short-term performance in a thermic/hyperthermic region, aiming to 1) evaluate the sensitivity of SMAF scores to changes in individual soil properties and 2) quantify soil health changes using SMAF. Treatments include two levels of summer crop and two levels of tillage in an annually planted wheat system. SMAF soil health metrics were measured for Burleson clay soil (BC site) and Parrita sandy clay loam soil (PSCL site) for 0–5 cm soil depth. At the BC site, βgluc and SOC SMAF scores displayed no statistical differences when compared to their respective soil properties. βgluc measurement also helped to highlight the treatment difference observed for wheat yield. This suggests that scoring curves of βgluc used in SMAF may need to be modified, especially for clayey soils. The results also show that SMAF scores were not correlated with wheat yield at both sites, suggesting that multiple year data may be needed to understand this relationship. Overall, in a thermic region, SMAF was found to be helpful to understand short-term soil health status. However, due to clay correction in SMAF algorithm, SMAF scores can show lower sensitivity in the clayey soils of these thermic regions.

Soil health assessment under different soil and irrigation types in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China

Soil health indexes (SHIs) are widely used methods on a regional or national scale to evaluate the status of soils. However, how to unbiasedly select appropriate indicators and score these indicators to obtain comprehensive SHI is still a big issue, due to the multiformity and complexity of soil. The goal of the study was to assess various cropland soil and irrigation types soil health using two scoring methods (linear and nonlinear scoring) and three indexes choosing methods (minimum data set MDS, revised minimum data set RMDS and total data set TDS) in loess plateau. Soil and irrigation types were Kastanozems soil and irrigation farming (KA-IL), Kastanozems soil and rainfed farming (KA-RL), Regosols soil and irrigation farming (RE-IL), Regosols soil and rainfed farming (RE-RL). Twenty-four soil indexes of soil chemical, physical and biological properties were determined from the top soil layer (0–20 cm). One-way ANOVA and PCA were used to select the MDS, RMDS and TDS. The finding results demonstrated that fifteen soil indicators were incorporated into TDS. In addition, the six soil indicators were selected to establish the RMDS (BD, EC, TN, MBC, LAP and ALP) and MDS (BD, SOC, TN, NO3--N, MBN and BG), respectively. The consistency in SHIs of the nonlinear scoring was better than that of the linear scoring method. The nonlinear scoring method with MDS was considered the optimal method to calculate the SHI due to its maximum values of CV, F and highest correlation coefficient with TDS. The SHI values of the different soil and irrigation types showed the following order: RE-IL > RE-RL > KA-IL > KA-RL. This study demonstrated that different soil and irrigation types noticeably affected the soil health in cropland of an agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, and the SHI-NLM method was a sensitive and accurate model for quantitative assessment of soil health in this region.

Soil health explains the yield-stabilizing effects of soil organic matter under drought

Soil organic matter (SOM) serves as an important indicator of soil health. Soils with high SOM are associated with high crop yield under drought conditions. However, a critical question remains unanswered: is the yield-stabilizing effect of SOM attributable to inherent soil properties, such as soil texture and taxonomy? Or is it driven by dynamic soil properties that reflect the overall health of the soil? Following the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation, we derived a soil health score (SHS; range: 0–1) from the SOM concentration by accounting for site-specific variables, including climate, texture, and soil suborder. Using county-level data of rainfed corn across the U.S. from 2000 to 2016, we found that higher SHS were associated with higher yields. During the most severe drought events, an increase of 0.5 in SHS was associated with a 1.15 ​± ​0.18 ​Mg ​ha−1 increment in corn yield, suggesting that high SHS helps to stabilize yield in drought. Interestingly, smaller but statistically significant effects of SHS on yield were found during less intensive droughts. The SOM concentration was a slightly better predictor of corn yield than the SHS. We also found similar effects of SHS on corn yield across different soil types, i.e., different textures or soil suborders, under severe drought conditions. Our results suggest that soil health is a main factor in explaining the yield benefits of SOM, while the effects of soil health were not driven by differences in soil texture or suborder. We argue that the resilience of corn yield against drought can be potentially increased by adopting agronomic practices aimed at augmenting SOM and improving overall soil health across a broad spectrum of geographical locations and site characteristics.

Pedogenic controls of soil organic carbon stocks and stability beneath montane Norway spruce forests along a precipitation gradient

Reliable data on SOC stocks in forest soils is required in the context of climate change and soil health assessments but still limited by input data availability (e.g., bulk density) and methods used for stock calculation. Relatively few studies have investigated the stability of SOC in forest soils. We investigated SOC stocks and fractionation in soils beneath Norway spruce forests and grasslands in the montane zone along a gradient of mean annual precipitation (MAP). We sampled soil cores volumetrically to 40 cm depth and measured SOC in the fractions <2 mm (fine earth), >200 μm and 200–20 μm (coarse and fine POM), and <20 μm (MAOM) along with potential pedogenic controls. Total SOC stocks beneath forests in the study region, calculated by the equivalent soil mass (ESM) approach to 40 cm depth, amount to 79.0 ± 29.9 (mean ± standard deviation) Mg ha−1 (n = 20) in the mineral soil, and to 92.9 ± 30.6 Mg ha−1 including the litter layer, with a share of 55 % associated with POM. MAOM makes up ∼41 % of SOC in the uppermost mineral layer (0–5 cm) and increases to 71 % in the subsoil (20–40 cm). Multiple regression models show that MAOM is largely controlled by ammonium oxalate extractable Al (Alo) in the forest subsoils (20–40 cm), and increases with MAP in the topsoil layers (0–20 cm). Soils on carbonate rock stand out with ∼80–100 % larger shares of MAOM in the uppermost soil layers (0–10 cm) which is likely connected to higher soil pH and MAP, supporting microbial transformation and subsequent stabilisation of organic matter, which is reflected in narrower C:N ratios in MAOM and SOC.Including the litter layers, ESM-based total SOC stocks in forest soils tend to exceed those beneath grassland (80.2 ± 21.9 Mg ha−1; n = 31) by 16 %, but only by 6.4 % if calculated by the conventional fixed-depth (FD) approach. In contrast to the forest soils, SOC stocks beneath grasslands are dominated by MAOM (75.6 %).We conclude that (coniferous) forest soils are a poor reference for establishing sequestration potentials for stable SOC. The observed large proportion of POM in forest topsoils and its increase with declining MAP (indicating water availability) suggests a risk of SOC losses in response to increasing droughts due to climate change.

Estimating soil health in urban allotments: Integrated two-way soil quality index and free-living amoebae in nitrogen recycling

Nitrogen deficiency and contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) adversely impact soil health and ecosystem services. Existing tools for assessing contaminated soils, necessary for sustainable management, remain limited. In this study, we introduce an integrated approach using geochemical constituents and biological factors to construct a comprehensive index to evaluate contaminant impacts on soil health. We collected samples in triplicate from six plots within an urban allotment with a history of PTE contamination. Selected biological and chemical characteristics of the samples were quantified to derive impact scores, with a single numerical index representing overall soil quality for each plot. Multivariate, T-statistics and Pearson Correlation analysis were used to identify relationships and differences between selected soil parameters between plots. The role of the free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba in nitrogen recycling was assessed with feeding experiments, enzymatic assays and bioinformatics analysis. The plot with the highest index value, indicative of good health, exhibited higher pH, significantly high microbial load, and a high nitrate to ammonium (NO3−:NH4+) ratio of 5.3. This turnover was associated with Acanthamoeba uptake of exogenous nitrates and secretion of ammonium, through the assimilatory/dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathway. In contrast, the lower index plot with the low nitrogen turnover of 0.69, showed elevated aluminium, low pH activity and a significantly reduced microbial load, dominated by aluminium resistant microorganisms. Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive soil quality index by integrating multiple characteristics to assess soil health and contamination. The approach addresses the need for improved tools to identify the direct impact of contaminants on soil biological activity, supporting more sustainable land management.

Distinct soil health indicators are associated with variation in maize yield and tile drain nitrate losses

AbstractAssociations between nitrogen (N) management and losses with soil health indicators (SHI) are widely presumed but relatively untested. An on‐farm experiment conducted in central Illinois was conducted to test potential relationships of SHI with agroecosystem outcomes of maize (Zea mays L.) yield and N losses under bounding N‐fertilization rates of 168 and 252 kg/ha. Chemical (n = 19), physical (n = 11), and biological (n = 14) SHI were measured at 24 locations within a 30 ha field at five timepoints (V3, V10, RT, R6, and post‐harvest). Yields did not necessarily reflect N‐fertilization rates, with lowest yields (14.5 Mg/ha) under 224 kg/ha. Flow‐weighted nitrate‐N concentrations were significantly higher under 168 kg N/ha (10.6 mg/L) relative to higher application rates, though cumulative tile nitrate‐N loads were similar. SHI varied more by sampling location and time than by N fertilization rate. Depending on the time of sampling, distinct SHI were related to yield and tile N losses. Total soil carbon and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) best explained yield variation, whereas POXC and sand content best explained variation in nitrate‐N loss. Nematode indices helped explain variability in yield (Simpson and Shannon indices) and nitrate‐N losses (maturity index), supporting recent propositions to integrate nematode measures into soil health assessments. This study provides a basis for expanding to multiyear assessments of SHI linkages with nutrient losses and crop productivity in the North Central United States.

The influence and risk assessment of multiple pollutants on the bacterial and archaeal communities in agricultural lands with different climates and soil properties

Soil microorganisms play a vital role in maintaining the health of farmland ecosystems. The structures and functions of soil microorganisms are determined by the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic processes. To investigate the influence of anthropogenic contaminants on agricultural soil conditions and their impact on the prokaryote community, we collected agricultural soils from 3 types of villages (industrial, livestock breeding and agricultural) in four regions with typical geoclimatic features. We assessed the influences of changing environmental factors (climatic conditions, soil properties, heavy metal and organic pollutants) on soil bacterial and archaeal communities and their relative contributions. The results showed that differences in soil properties and contaminants between regions were more significant than those between villages of different types. Cu, Zn, Cd, antibiotics and phthalate esters were identified as major pollutants with medium to high level of risk in agricultural soils. The richness and biodiversity index showed no significant differences among regions, while dominant species and community composition were significantly correlated with changing environmental and pollution factors. Major environmental factors explained 65 % of the total variances based on the RDA analysis, with average temperature, precipitation and soil pH identified as the major factors shaping the prokaryote community. Combined pollution explained 20.14 % of total community variances, with moderate levels of pollution stresses being as significant as climatic and soil conditions to community composition. The correlation analysis indicated that different species respond differently to environmental factors. The major groups of functional microbes for N cycling, Nitrososphaeraceae and Nitrospiraceae, were found to be stressed by combined pollution. The Bacillaceae family showed a negative correlation to soil pH and a positive correlation to pollutants, suggesting their resistance to changing environments. The interaction among species and the correlation between environmental factors and multiple pollutants brought significant complexity to the assessment of co-contamination. In general, this study provides insights into the responses of agricultural soil microbial communities to multiple changing factors at a continental scale, which would substantially benefit the soil health assessment and management of agro-ecosystems under global environmental changes.

Soil Science and Sustainable Farming: Paving the Way for Food Security

The review titled "Soil Science and Sustainable Farming: Paving the Way for Food Security" explores the critical role of soil science in achieving sustainable agriculture and ensuring global food security. The review focuses on key aspects of soil science that contribute to sustainable farming practices, including soil health assessment, soil management practices, soil conservation strategies, soil amendments and nutrient management, and soil-water interactions. Each subheading delves into specific topics within soil science, highlighting their importance in promoting soil fertility, preventing erosion and land degradation, balancing crop nutrition, and optimizing irrigation and water use efficiency. By understanding and implementing these soil science principles, farmers can adopt sustainable practices that enhance soil productivity, preserve natural resources, and support long-term food security.

Supporting Management Decisions in Forage Production with Soil Health Measurements and Assessment

AbstractThis is the second article in our series on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions on U.S. dairies associated with crop production. This article will focus on the first objective of the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration (DSWR) project, which is to benchmark soil health and soil carbon stocks in dairy forage production systems. Earn 1 CEU in Sustainability by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

Nematodes associated with saffron II: Bioindication for soil health assessment and impact of agricultural practices

BackgroundSaffron cultivation is vital in the Taliouine-Taznakht regions, but the influence of agricultural practices on soil nematode communities, critical for soil health and plant productivity, is not well understood.This study characterizes nematode communities in saffron fields of the Taliouine-Taznakht regions, assessing the impact of various agricultural practices on these communities, with a focus on their diversity, functional roles, and potential as bio-indicators of soil health.A total of 163 soil samples were collected from saffron fields in Taliouine-Taznakht. Nematode communities were identified, quantified, and their functional diversity analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to visualize relationships between nematode communities and sampling sites. Co-inertia analysis assessed the impact of agricultural practices on nematode diversity.The nematode communities were diverse and varied across regions. PCA identified unique nematode community compositions in different saffron fields. Omnivorous nematodes were strongly linked with Taouyalte (TA), and herbivorous ones were prevalent at Agadir Melloul (AM) and Sidi Hssaine (SH). Modern crop types, high-frequency irrigation, and alfalfa-barley rotation were positively correlated with predator nematode abundance, potentially controlling plant parasitic nematodes and encouraging nutrient cycling. Conversely, monocropping, traditional irrigation, and long plantation age correlated with reduced structure and maturity indices, suggesting a less stable ecosystem.This study unveils the intricate relationships between nematode communities in Taliouine-Taznakht saffron fields and agricultural practices. Findings indicate that specific practices, such as crop rotation and modern irrigation techniques, can foster beneficial nematode groups that improve soil health and potentially regulate harmful plant parasitic nematodes. This knowledge is crucial for crafting sustainable and effective saffron cultivation strategies.

Studies on physico-chemical parameters in different soil samples from Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India

Soil physicochemical properties can be regarded as an important tool to assess soil health, which further form a base for biological activity in soil. These soil physicochemical properties are comparable in identical land-uses. However, the changes in land-use types and their effects on soil physicochemical properties are largely debates and rather unclear. Soil serves as an important thing in agriculture because this determines the plant growth and health. The present circumstance of industrialization and urbanization has taken a toll on environment, polluting the soil, air and water. Pollution as well as global warming has exhibited detrimental effects on our natural resources of soil becomes the inexplicable. Failing monsoon rains due to climatic changes, population explosion, and depletion of natural water and soil resources such as ground soil, agricultural soil as well as intentional man-made pollution of agriculture pesticide to soil scarcity. Even the scarcely available water is located by contaminants and pollutants which include mutagens, carcinogens, and pathogenic microbes affecting all the file forms affecting the ecological balance. Considering the above mentioned problem criteria, a part of the present work has been designed to analyze the quality of ground soil around the industrial premises. For this objective, we have collected different types of soil samples from various locations in and around sathyamangalam area in Erode District focusing on quite far away from industrial premises considering the concepts of leaching. Basic physio-chemical properties of soil colour, pH, chloride, sulphate, phosphate, silicate, nitrate, moisture, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium using specific techniques used in laboratory for the samples have been analyzed by APHA standards. These analysis help in the addition of the nutrients of the soil and provide a nutritive indicator value of the sampling sites. Highest possibility of soil quality issues which affects the day to day consumption of soil samples for the domestic needs of the people has been emphasized.

Soil nematode communities in riverbanks non-invaded and invaded by Fallopia japonica across diverse environmental conditions

Summary Soil nematode communities are one of the most used bioindicators for assessing soil health and soil conditions. However, they are dependent on the presence of plants, some of which, known as ‘invasive’, affect local biodiversity when established. This study aimed to compare the communities of soil nematodes in riverbanks non-invaded and invaded by Fallopia japonica at three sites characterised by different environmental conditions. Our findings indicated that the ecosystem had a larger impact on the nematode communities than did the environmental variability at the study sites. Soil properties, such as pH, moisture content and organic-carbon content, differed significantly amongst the sites, but the nematode communities remained similar. Organic-carbon content was lower, and soil pH was higher, in the ecosystem with invasive F. japonica. Total nematode abundance, the abundances of fungivores, herbivores, omnivores and predators, and the maturity indices were significantly lower with invasive F. japonica. Fungivorous nematodes are essential for breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients. Herbivorous nematodes respond to changes in the vegetation, and omnivorous and predatory nematodes contribute to the overall biodiversity and ecological balance in the soil ecosystem, so their lower abundance suggests a disturbance in the soil food web. The lower maturity indices suggested a disturbance or degradation of the soil ecosystem, which could have secondary negative effects on plant growth, nutrient availability and ecosystem resilience. These findings indicate that invasion both decreased the abundance of important soil organisms and disrupted the cycling of nutrients, potentially leading to long-term negative consequences for the invaded ecosystems. Understanding and managing the effects of invasive plants such as F. japonica are crucial for preserving soil health and promoting sustainable ecosystem functioning.

Ecotoxicological risks of metals in the subsistence food garden soils of Watut River floodplains, Papua New Guinea.

Exorbitant concentrations of toxic metals in the soil from anthropogenic activities are environmental hazards and key health risk concerns to humans. The subsistence food garden soils have minimum anthropogenic interventions. The ecotoxicological risk potentials of the metals in subsistence food garden settings are unexplored. The metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, and Ni) concentration were assessed in the surface soil fractions (2mm and 0.2mm) of food gardens (N = 20) on the floodplains of Watut River, Papua New Guinea. The threshold limits, index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI) served as potential risk indicators of metals. Regardless of soil particle size, the descending order of median metals concentration was Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb. The concentration of Cu and Ni in the soil particles exceeded the WHO threshold limits in 100% and 50% of the food garden soils, respectively. Metal enrichment led to severe pollution in 100% gardens (Igeo > 5). Cr, Cu, and Ni contamination factors were > 1 in 95% of the food gardens. The PERI values indicated a lower ecological risk of the metals (PERI < 100). The median concentration of Cu, Igeo, and CF values for Cu in the 2mm soil particles were significantly greater than in 0.2mm. The results suggested exposure of subsistence food gardens soils to geogenic metal contamination and the need to carefully choose appropriate soil particle size for the soil health assessments.

A pedo‐climatic approach towards soil health assessment: Soil texture‐specific scoring curves on arable land in Norway

AbstractSoil health assessments that integrate physical, chemical and biological indicators help the evaluation of soil functioning, provide a framework for monitoring soil degradation, guide land management activities and secure the delivery of soil ecosystem services. In this study, we assessed soil health by soil texture class on arable land in Southeast Norway and mid‐Norway and between grassland and arable land in mid‐Norway. We used descriptive statistics and the Welch t‐test with unequal variance and Bonferroni corrections to compare a physical soil indicator (bulk density) and chemical indicators (organic matter, P‐AL, K‐AL, Ca‐AL, Mg‐AL, Na‐AL and pH). We developed scoring curves from cumulative normal distribution functions on regional soil data for various soil indicators where climate, soil texture class and land use were considered. Our results show that for certain soil texture classes, average soil indicator values differed between pedo‐climatic zones on arable land, but for others the difference was not significant. The variability between the pedo‐climatic zones for these can be neglected, but for the ones that differ, the variability is important to consider when assessing soil health. Similarly, this was the case when comparing land use (grassland and arable land) for most soil indicators in mid‐Norway. This finding illustrates the importance of addressing unique local conditions in soil health assessments. We propose aggregating similar soil texture classes where no differences are apparent when developing scoring curves. The sub‐optimal levels of plant available nutrients (P‐AL and K‐AL) found in the soil in both pedo‐climatic zones highlights the importance of suitable threshold values for targeted soil ecosystem services to ensure soil health and sustainable agricultural production. We also recommend prioritizing the most relevant soil ecosystem services to limit the number of soil indicators that need monitoring.

A weighted soil heath index approach for refined assessment of soil health in cropping systems

IntroductionPromoting sustainable crop production is enhanced by an effective method to assess soil health. However, soil health assessment is challenging due to multiple interactions among dynamic soil properties (i.e., soil health indicators) across management practices and agroecological regions. We tested several currently popular soil health assessment methods for cropping systems in Tennessee in the southeastern US and found that these methods failed to differentiate Tennessee soil health under long-term conservation and conventional management.Materials and methodsThis study developed a Tennessee weighted soil health index (WSHI) by: 1) selecting a set of management-sensitive soil health indicators, 2) assigning meaningful weights to indicators, and 3) normalizing the scores based on regionally relevant undisturbed natural reference sites. The tested cropping systems treatments were moldboard plow (MP) in continuous soybean (SS), no tillage (NT) in SS, NT with wheat cover (NTW) in SS, no cover and chisel plow (NCCT) in continuous cotton (CC), no cover and no tillage (NCNT) in CC, and hairy vetch cover and no tillage (VCNT) in CC. In addition, two woodlots and one grassland sites in the vicinity of the cropping systems were selected to represent undisturbed natural systems.Results and discussionOut of 22 indicators that proved to be management-sensitive, six were selected as a minimum dataset (MDS). These were particulate organic matter C (POM-C), soil respiration from 4-day incubation (4d CO2), small macroaggregate (0.250-2mm)-associated C (SMA-C), surface hardness (PR15), microbial biomass N (MBN), and bulk density (BD). Measured values of the MDS indicators were transformed into unitless normalized scores (based on the regional range of the indicator), and finally integrated into WSHI scores using a weighted-addition approach. Additionally, the soil health gap (SHG) between the soil health of the regional reference system and different cropping systems was calculated. Results revealed that WSHI strongly differentiated soil health between long-term conservation and conventional managements practices. The WSHI scores for southeastern cropland soils varied as follows: VCNT = NTW &amp;gt; NT &amp;gt; NCNT ≥ NCCT ≥ MP. The SHGs under MP, NCCT, NCNT, NT, NTW, and VCNT were 85.5, 79.9, 68, 45.1, 25.2, and 24.3, respectively, relative to the average WSHI of three undisturbed systems. Results showed that the WSHI approach is effective in more meaningful regional assessment of soil health and SHG can be a potential metric for comparing soil health across agroecological regions.

Soil Health Assessment to Evaluate Conservation Practices in SemiArid Cotton Systems at Producer Site Scale

Maintaining soil health and sustainable crop production has been challenged by climate variability and wind erosion in semi-arid regions. To understand the initial effects of the transition of tilled cotton systems to no-tillage with winter wheat as a cover crop, we sampled 18 commercial grower sites from 2019 to 2022 in the Southern High Plains (SHP). We evaluated the soil biological component, which often responds rapidly to changes in residue additions or minimized soil disturbance providing an early indication of changes in soil health, especially in the low organic matter soils in this region. After two years, compared to tilled systems, no-till systems had significant increases in ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME) bacterial and saprophytic and AMF fungal markers, enzyme activities of nutrient cycling, and various SOM pools, under both center-pivot irrigation and dryland. Similar increases were also observed in two dryland sites sampled before and up to two years after transition to no-till. Our study demonstrates the potential of no-tillage and cover crops to improve soil health in cotton production in semiarid regions, and a framework for a soil health assessment that links different soil health indicators with functions related to soil organic matter, soil water, and biogeochemical cycling.

Establishing a Soil Health Assessment System for Quaternary Red Soils (Luvisols) under Different Land Use Patterns

The health status of Quaternary red soil is a comprehensive reflection of the production and ecological service functions, which directly affects agricultural productivity and ecosystem sustainability. Based on the Cornell Soil Health Assessment (CASH) system frame, a health evaluation system for Quaternary red soils was established including the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological indicators. The soil’s health status under different land use patterns (the buried Quaternary red soil, sparse forest and grassland, grassland, woodland, and arable land) was systematically diagnosed in the low hilly region of western Liaoning Province. The results showed significant differences in the soil health comprehensive index of the Quaternary red soils under different land use patterns (the whole soil), presenting a trend of woodland (0.64) &gt; arable land (0.61) &gt; grassland (0.49) &gt; sparse forest and grassland (0.37) &gt; buried Quaternary red soils (0.33). The woodland and arable land are at a healthy level, the grassland and sparse forest and grassland are at a sub-healthy level, and the buried Quaternary red soil is at an unhealthy level. The health status of the topsoil layer (A) under different land use patterns has a trend of woodland (0.86) &gt; arable land (0.73) &gt; grassland (0.70) &gt; sparse forest and grassland (0.67). This is consistent with the overall health status of the profile, better than that of subsoil layer (B), which presents a trend of arable land (0.41) &gt; grassland (0.40) &gt; woodland (0.38) &gt; sparse forest and grassland (0.34), with relatively poor soil health conditions. Overall, the soil health status of the four land use patterns is better than that of the buried Quaternary red soils, showing an evolution trend towards healthy soil. This indicates that at this stage, human land use activities have to some extent promoted the healthy development of Quaternary red soils. The Quaternary red soils of the woodland have a healthy status, and the land use pattern is suitable and can be scientifically recommended in low mountain and hilly areas.

Microwave-assisted citrate extraction (MaCE) as an alternative to autoclave citrate extraction (ACE) of a soil protein fraction

Soil protein is an important indicator of soil health and for soil health assessments is usually determined using autoclaved citrate extraction (ACE) followed by protein quantification using the Bradford or bicinchoninic acid assay. Here, we investigated an alternative extraction process using microwave-assisted citrate extraction. We show that protein yield increases as the extraction time increases, but that yields comparable to those obtained using the standard ACE method can be obtained with an extraction time as short as 15 min. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of microwave-assisted extraction being used to determine this soil protein pool.

The 5C's of soil security guiding realization of ecosystem services in line with the UN-SDGs

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a deadline of 2030 so, restricting attention to agriculture, development and implementation of management measures, aimed at reaching the goals, is urgent. Even though the current 159 very broad targets and 234 indicators for the SDGs don't mention soils, soils play a key role when addressing indicators 2.4.1 and 15.3.1 aimed at “sustainable agriculture” and “degraded land”, by introducing operational methods to assess soil health and interdisciplinary ecosystem services in line with the SDGs. Application of the soil security concept, combining biophysical and socioeconomic approaches, is essential for sustainability research where dominant socioeconomic considerations by stakeholders should frame the biophysical analysis. If stakeholders don't embrace SDG-inspired innovative management, nothing will materialize in the real world. Much research is still needed to address inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability issues but a plea is made at this critical point in time to also apply a relatively straightforward and pragmatic research approach, essentially based on available data and methods, to assess ecosystem services, defining indicators and thresholds, in line with five key SDGs. Reference is made to an exploratory Dutch case study in a:”Living Lab”. The National Soil Health Institute in the US has already pioneered such a pragmatic approach by first emphasizing socioeconomic aspects and by incorporating the soil health analysis in regenerative farm management that is recognized by farmers. But the five ecosystem services will still have to be assessed here to maintain the link with the SDGs and the policy arena. The 5C's of soil security apply very well at farm level. The soil science profession will benefit from showing specific examples of “Living Labs” where five thresholds of ecosystem services are met, creating: ”Lighthouses” showing examples of achieved sustainable development in which soil health plays a key role as demonstrated by specific measurements.

Quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) density and stock in the Urmodi River watershed of Maharashtra, India: implications for sustainable land management

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle, affecting soil fertility and agricultural sustainability. Our study focused on areas with low SOC, where increasing its levels could enhance soil health and carbon management. We used an earth science approach to analyze SOC density and stock in different land classes of the Urmodi River watershed in Maharashtra, India. Using GIS, we estimated SOC from soil samples collected up to 20 cm depth, and produced maps of SOC, SOC density (SOCD), and SOC stock. Our results showed that natural vegetation areas, such as closed and open forests, had a higher nutritional status of SOC and SOC stock, indicating the importance of land cover history on soil health. We found the average SOC to be 1.4 g/kg−1, SOCD to be 57.36 kg/m−2, SOC stock to be 3.46 ton/ha−1. We also depicted the relationship between elevation and SOCD using a scatterplot, revealing the distribution of SOC across different elevations. Our study demonstrates the use of modern geoscientific analysis tools to understand the physical and chemical properties of soil, which can be useful in assessing soil health. Overall, our results provide valuable insights into the distribution of SOC and its relationship with other geo-chemical aspects at a regional scale.