Soil Vulnerability Research Articles

What makes soil landscape robust? Landscape sensitivity towards land use changes in a Swiss southern Alpine valley

Landscape sensitivity is a concept referring to the likelihood that changes in land use may affect in an irreversible way physical and chemical soil properties of the concerned landscape. The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the sensitivity of the southern Alpine soil landscape regarding land use change-induced perturbations. Alpine soil landscapes can be considered as particularly sensitive to land use changes because their effects tend to be enhanced by frequent extreme climatic and topographic conditions as well as intense geomorphologic activity. In detail, the following soil key properties for soil vulnerability were analysed: (i) soil texture, (ii) bulk density, (iii) soil organic carbon (SOC), (iv) saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), (v) aggregate stability and (vi) soil water repellency (SWR). The study area is characterized by a steep, east-west oriented valley, strongly anthropized in the last centuries followed by a progressive abandonment. This area is particularly suitable due to constant lithological conditions, extreme topographic and climatic conditions as well as historic land use changes. The analysis of land use change effects on soil properties were performed through a linear mixed model approach due to the nested structure of the data. Our results show a generally high stability of the assessed soils in terms of aggregate stability and noteworthy thick soils. The former is remarkable, since aggregate stability, which is commonly used for detecting land use-induced changes in soil erosion susceptibility, was always comparably high irrespective of land use. The stability of the soils is mainly related to a high amount of soil organic matter favouring the formation of stable soil aggregates, decreasing soil erodibility and hence, reducing soil loss by erosion. However, the most sensitive soil property to land use change was SWR that is partly influenced by the amount of soil organic carbon and probably by the quality and composition of SOM.

Does land use legacy matter for current soil functioning? A bibliometric study (2001–2020)

This article applies the tools of bibliometric analyses to explore the evolution and strategic orientation of research focusing on the temporal dynamics of land use, which can be considered as an important proxy to assess soil vulnerability. With 1416 papers published in 417 different journals, the investigation showed a growing interest in the subject during the period ranging from 2001 to 2020. The main countries working on that topic are the USA, China, and certain countries of the European Union with a worldwide collaboration regarding coauthors. A cluster analysis of the keywords generated 6 main themes of research, each focusing on different issues and approaches, that is, greenhouse gas emissions, soil nutrients, climate change, erosion risk, human disturbances as well as resilience of soil functioning. Finally, it appears that the effect of land use legacy is poorly considered in the context of climate change, which could represent a future line of research.

Assessment and intra-regional differences in the soil vulnerability of the agricultural lands of Belarussian Polesye to droughts under warming climate

A quantitative assessment of the areas of vulnerable soils to droughts was presented for the first time and a series of maps was compiled to identify soils of agricultural lands in the zone of the most pronounced risk on the basis of the most complete agrometeorological information in comparison with other studies. The article presents the results of assessing the soil vulnerability (predisposition or susceptibility) of agricultural lands to droughts in the region of Belarusian Polesye. To determine the degree of its manifestation, it is proposed to use such soil-hydrological constants of soil moisture availability as maximum field capacity moisture, rupture of capillary bonds and dynamics of change in their indicators during the growing season (April–October) over a 30-year period (1989–2018). The series of digital maps of the vulnerability of agricultural land use soils to droughts at the level of the region, administrative districts and individual agricultural organizations was compiled using the GIS technologies. The grouping of the administrative regions of Belarusian Polesye according to the ratio of agricultural land areas with varying degrees of soil vulnerability to droughts was carried out in order to develop territorially differentiated measures for adaptation and mitigation of their negative impact on agroecosystems. The obtained research results have found practical application in the development of measures to mitigate the negative impact of soil droughts on agricultural production. It is concluded that in the context of an increase in the number and duration of atmospheric droughts in the region, the need to apply the results of assessing the vulnerability of soils to their adverse effects is mandatory when substantiating and applying measures to adapt agricultural activities to mitigate the negative effects of droughts.

Prioritisation tool for targeting the monitoring of veterinary pharmaceuticals in soils at a national level: The case of Spain

AbstractAntibiotics used in animal production are a major source of environmental contamination since most of them are excreted in manure. However, studies on the impact of antimicrobial effects have focused on humans and livestock, neglecting the environment. The European Union (EU) adopted a strategy to prioritise environmental monitoring and develop tools to make it cost‐effective. Our aim was to build a prioritisation tool at a national level to identify hotspot locations for highly occurring antibiotics in soils. Spain was selected as an example, due to its importance for biodiversity, agriculture, antibiotic use and livestock populations in the EU. We built soil vulnerability maps including information about antibiotic use, livestock census, rearing type (intensively reared or pasture animals), and scenario (crop land or pasture). This allowed the identification of sampling sites and antibiotic classes that may require more attention during the early stages of monitoring. The most vulnerable areas were located in the northeast of Spain (crop lands) and in a lesser extent in the west (pasture). A small proportion was located in “High Value Nature” farmlands, highlighting the need for prioritising sampling efforts in those areas because of their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services. As major antibiotics, tetracyclines and beta‐lactams contributed more to soil vulnerability than less commonly used antibiotics. Intensively reared pigs led to higher vulnerability than the other livestock types. We developed a Shiny dashboard to visualise our results in detail and an R script to execute the model for any antibiotic and country for which data on antibiotic use, livestock census, and raising type are available.Highlights How to orientate monitoring efforts of antibiotics in soils at early stages according to the PiE? A prototype is offered here tool to prioritize sampling sites and antibiotics for soil monitoring. Antibiotic consumption at intensively reared livestock in crop lands were the main contributors. Intensively reared animals and antibiotic use were the main contributions to soil vulnerability. This tool allows to execute the model on any antibiotic and EU country for which data is available.

Can prolonged conditions of water deficit alter photosynthetic performance and water relations of coffee plants in central-west Colombia?

In the coffee-growing areas of Colombia, the vulnerability of soils to conditions of water deficit has been determined and this limitation has been projected to increase its intensity and severity during extreme climatic scenarios, which constitute one of the factors limiting coffee production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged water deficit conditions on the physiological performance of coffee plants cv. Castillo ®. The evaluations were carried out in 13-month-old “Castillo®” variety plants established in a greenhouse which were subjected to two conditions: well-watered at field capacity and water deficit in the soil-applied through withholding the water supply for 40 days, using a completely randomized experimental design. Leaf water potential (Ψpd and Ψmd), gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm and ETR) were measured. In the plants with water deficit, Ψpd and Ψmd were decreased significantly. Five days after restricting the water supply, the gs was significantly reduced to 95% at the end of the experiment compared to plants without stress. The Fv/Fm and ETR parameters showed no sensitivity under the water deficit conditions. Plants under water deficit decreased Amax by 81%, Isat by 61%, and Rd by 50%, as compared to plants without stress. The transpiration and water-use efficiency decreased, while Ci had a greater concentration in plants under water deficit. These results indicate the physiological performance coffee cv. Castillo ® plants were significantly affect by prolonged conditions of soil water deficit and that the reductions in photosynthetic processes were related to stomatal limitations.

Fire impacts on soil and post fire emergency stabilization treatments in Mediterranean-climate regions

Wildfires are non-controlled large-scale fires of various vegetation types that have long affected the Mediterranean- climate regions, but their increased frequency and severity has led to the degradation of the ecosystems. Particularly in Chile, 147 major wildfires in 2017, were responsible of burning 546 678 ha, which included 28 729 ha of traditional small-scale non irrigated agricultural systems, highlighting the vulnerability of these agricultural soils to wildfires. Soil biological properties are more sensitive to heating than physicochemical properties. Thus, a reduction of microbial communities and associated enzyme activities generally occur in low-intensity fires (< 200 °C). Most significant changes in physicochemical properties of soil occurring in moderately intense fires (250 to 450 °C) are increases of soil pH, nutrient availability, bulk density and soil water repellency, whereas soil aggregate stability and water holding capacity generally decrease. When vegetation cover is completely destroyed by fire, emergency stabilization treatments such as mulching and seeding provide an immediate ground cover to reduce soil erosion and preserve nutrients. Therefore, it is important to define the impacts of wildfire on soil properties of agricultural lands to establish a roadmap to implement an adequate and viable restoration.

Identifying the spatiotemporal vulnerability of soils to antimicrobial contamination through land application of animal manure in Minnesota, United States

Antimicrobials may reach the soil environment from a variety of sources and pathways, including land application of human biosolids and animal manure. Once in soil, antimicrobials can affect the abundance and activity of soil microorganisms and exert selection pressures that enhance the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To mitigate the spread of AMR it is important to understand the spatial and temporal interactions between antimicrobials and soil. The goal of this study was to assess the vulnerability of Minnesota (U.S.) soil to contamination with specific antimicrobial compounds at temperatures experienced throughout the year. Soil contamination potential was estimated based upon specific antimicrobial drug binding and permanence, and average monthly temperature. Minnesota soil vulnerability was estimated by incorporating spatially explicit soil contamination potential, land cover type, and livestock density. Assessment of antimicrobials used in livestock production showed that soils are most vulnerable to antimicrobial contamination in southwestern Minnesota, to enrofloxacin, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline, and in the months of April and October. While the assessment herein was not based on actual on-farm antimicrobial use data and subsequent excretion of antimicrobial metabolites into the environment, this study provides an overview of the spatial and temporal potential for Minnesota soil to be contaminated by several antimicrobial drugs and demonstrates how specific vulnerability assessments might be conducted for geographic areas with known exposure (e.g., cropland fertilized with livestock manure and/or human biosolids). Such assessments might be used to identify best practices for mitigating antimicrobial exposure to soils and guide additional research to understand the role of environmental antimicrobial contamination in the problem of AMR.

Soil Vulnerability Levels based on Microtremor Data using the HVSR method in the Old City Area of Semarang

&lt;p class="AbstractEnglish"&gt;Kota Lama Semarang with the Dutch colonial era relics is currently used as a cultural heritage tourist spot. As a cultural heritage tourism place, it is necessarily aware of the potential for earthquake disasters due to active faults and volcanic eruptions, as well as the phenomenon of land subsidence caused by geological conditions of young alluvium. One of the geophysical techniques to determine subsurface structure is microtremor measurement. This study aims to determine vulnerability level based on dominant frequency, amplification, and seismic vulnerability index using HVSR analysis in Kota Lama area. Microtremor data measurement contained 11 points with a data retrieval duration of 30 minutes. The results of microtremor data analysis obtained dominant frequency values of 7.03 - 19.36 Hz, amplification of 0.72 – 3.7, and seismic vulnerability index of 0.074 – 0.95. Based on the parameters, it can be concluded that the Kota Lama Semarang area has a low level of vulnerability.&lt;/p&gt;

METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL TO ASSESS THE VULNERABILITY OF SOILS TO SALINIZATION IN FLAT AREA IRRIGATION DISTRICTS

Soil salinization is one of the main constraints for food production. These processes occur mainly in irrigated areas, due to natural conditions and inadequate fertilization and irrigation practices. The objective of this article was to generate a model to identify and spatialize the levels of vulnerability to soluble phase salinization in the irrigation districts of Colombia as a complementary tool for the management of soil salinization risk. Two tools were integrated to achieve the objective. On the one hand, the multi-criteriaanalysis method called Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to assign weights to the analysis parameters and build the Soil Vulnerability to Salinization Index (SVSS), and on the other hand, geographic information systems (GIS) were applied to spatialize the analysis parameters and the SVSS, as well as to define the homogeneous vulnerability zones. Finally, the model was applied to a case study. The resulting model considered vulnerability parameters. The most important are Aridity Index, Soil Texture and Fertilization Practices. On a second level are Drainage Infrastructure and Depth of the Water Level. Other factors considered were Slope of the land, Irrigation Water Application Efficiency and Irrigation Water Distribution Pattern. In the case study it was found that 71.8 % of the territory presents Medium Vulnerability and 27.9 % High Vulnerability. The determining parameters of these results were the low efficiencies of irrigation water application, inadequate fertilization practices, clayey textures and lack of subsurface drainage systems.

Resistant soil carbon is more vulnerable to priming effect than active soil carbon

The newly added exogenous organic matter may change the decomposition rate of native soil organic matter (SOM) by the priming effect (PE) and further impact the terrestrial carbon (C) balance. Earth system models have not yet considered the distinct responses of soil C pools with different stability and turnover rates to PE. We addressed this knowledge gap by incubating three soils (from the same site but at different stages of SOM decomposition) developed under C3 vegetation with or without the addition of maize straw (C4) and its pyrolysis product-biochar (C4) in a 180 d-incubation at 22 and 32 °C. The three soils were sampled from 15-year old-field, 15-year bare-fallow, and 23-year bare-fallow plus additional laboratory 815-d incubation, representing active (old-field soil) and relatively resistant (two bare-fallow soils, with more stable fraction and less labile fraction) soil C pools, respectively. Soil-derived CO2 was distinguished by a two-component mixing model using a natural 13C isotopic tracing method (C3 vs. C4). The PE was by 30%–239% higher in two bare-fallow soils than in old-field soil regardless of types of new C input (straw and biochar) or temperatures (22 and 32 °C), and the straw-induced PE was by 90%–297% higher than the biochar-induced PE regardless of soils or temperatures. Moreover, the straw-induced PE was not altered with warming in the three soils, but the biochar-induced PE was significantly decreased by warming, especially in old-field soil. These results suggested that the PE varies with soil C pools with different stability. The relatively resistant soil C pool is more vulnerable to PE than the active soil C pool, but the resistant soil C pool can sequestrate more exogenous C and result in higher soil C storage than the active soil C pool, at least in the short term. In addition, more biochar-C can be retained in these soils than straw-C, but this difference would decrease with warming. Overall, this study suggests that future experimental and modeling studies should pay attention to the distinct vulnerability of soil C pools with different stability to PE and warming for accurately predicting soil C dynamics.

Environmental diagnostics in areas with high potential fragility in the Federal District, Brazil

This study aimed to conduct environmental diagnostics of areas with high potential environmental fragility in the Federal District, Brazil. Reclassified thematic maps of soil slope and vulnerability to water erosion were combined to create the soil susceptibility map to water erosion, which, in turn, was combined with the thematic maps of soil use and rain erosivity. The result was then reclassified, giving rise to the potential environmental fragility map. In the places identified with high potential environmental fragility, information was collected by observing the aspects of the physical, biotic, and anthropogenic environmental components of the landscape. Areas with high potential environmental fragility in the Federal District were found. In those locations, the uses and occupations of the soil observed were intensive farming, small rural activities, managed intensive livestock and degraded intensive livestock. Land use and occupation in areas with high potential environmental fragility of the Federal District, with “degraded intensive livestock”, make such sites environmentally fragile since there is a scarcity of non-preserved natural areas and there is no soil conservation method. It was concluded that, for the use and occupation of the soil with high potential environmental fragility areas in the Federal District, which are taken by intensive farming, small rural activities, and managed intensive livestock, the conservation of the natural areas and the vegetative and mechanical soil conservation techniques must be implemented.

A revisit of sandblasting technique to measure soil crust strength

Surface crust significantly affects the amount of soil detachment and transport during wind erosion events. In this context, the availability of a simple procedure to measure the detachment potential of the soil crust against impacting wind-blown particles provides the benefits of assessing the soil's vulnerability for saltation which accounts for50 to 90% ofthe total sediment transport by wind. This study aims to demonstrate a simple procedure designed in the National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory (USA) that directly measures particle detachment from a soil crust subjected to different amounts of impinging sand grains. The technique uses a conventional sandblasting tool with a control timer to blast sand particles (q, g) ranging from 0.44 to 3.55 g during the test. The soils used for the experiment were two silt loams, Palouse and Nansene, sampled from US Pacific Northwest. Besides testing sandblasting technique for measuring the abrasion index or relative abradibility of the soil crust, the technique has also been evaluated for effects of soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate (ASD) and particle (PSD) size distributions on crust strength. Results showed that an increase in q generally caused a significant increase in soil loss through abrasion (A, g) (P < 0.05*). The technique is very sensitive to cropping and management history considering the role of SOC, ASD, and PSD on crust formation mechanisms. This technique is low-cost and can quickly measure soil crust abrasion under impacting sand grains without the need to use a wind tunnel and the associated laborious sample preparation and testing procedures.

Forest Soils—What’s Their Peculiarity?

Mankind expects from forests and forest soils benefits like pure drinking water, space for recreation, habitats for nature-near biocenoses and the production of timber as unrivaled climate-friendly raw material. An overview over 208 recent articles revealed that ecosystem services are actually the main focus in the perception of forest soil functions. Studies on structures and processes that are the basis of forest soil functions and ecosystem services are widely lacking. Therefore, additional literature was included dealing with the distinct soil structure and high porosity and pore continuity of forest soils, as well as with their high biological activity and chemical soil reaction. Thus, the highly differentiated, hierarchical soil structure in combination with the ion exchange capacity and the acid buffering capacity could be described as the main characteristics of forest soils confounding the desired ecosystem services. However, some of these functions of forest soils are endangered under the influence of environmental change or even because of forest management, like mono-cultures or soil compaction through forest machines. In the face of the high vulnerability of forest soils and increased threads, e.g., through soil acidification, it is evident that active soil management strategies must be implemented with the aim to counteract the loss of soil functions or to recover them.

Differential pedogenesis of some pseudo-andic and non-andic soils in a toposequence of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A large scale soil survey with high resolution image data and classification has been conducted to understand soil genesis of North and Middle Andaman district soils with emphasis of some pseudo-Andic and non-Andic nature in a topographical sequence for the first time. The study of soils showed sandy loam to silty clay loam texture, low in bulk density (0.96–1.22 Mg m−3) very strongly acidic (pH 4.6) to strongly alkaline (pH 9.0) with medium to high (7.4–9.8 g kg−1) organic carbon. Bulk density has a significant negative correlation with Feo (r = -0.74**), Feo/Fed (r = -0.77**) and Alo+0.5Feo (r = -0.73**), indicating the direct influence of amorphous Fe and Al on lowering bulk density of soils. Cation exchange capacity (CEC)/clay has also significant negative correlation with Feo (r = -0.53**), Feo/Fed (r = -0.60) and Alo+0.5Feo (r = -0.52**). Bulk density, acid oxalate extractable Fe (Feo) and Al (Alo), citrate-bicabonate-dithionate extractable Fe (Fed), percentage of Alo plus half the Feo and Feo/Fed ratio were proven to be the appropriate indicators of Pseudo-Andic properties in soils. Pseudo-Andic soils were classified as Aquandic Fluvaquents in interspersed valleys, Aquandic Endoaquepts in coastal plains and Aquandic Endoaqualfs in volcanic mudflats. Non-Andic soils were formed in uplands (Typic Hapluudalfs) and alluvial plains (Typic Endoaqualfs). The study inferred that effect of volcanic ejections was very much prominent in coastal plains, mangroves and swamps and has been spread up to the interspersed valleys. Soils on uplands and alluvial plains did not experience little or no influence of volcanic eruptions and found matured profiles. Soils on coastal region were environmentally most vulnerable and needs appropriate conservation measures. Vulnerability of coastal plain soils and typical pseudo-Andic soils observed require a special soil and land management to protect and maintain soil health and productivity. Criteria used to characterize the nature and vulnerability risk helps to manage similar kind of soils elsewhere for land use plan.

Classifying Cropland Vulnerability to Pollutant Loads Across South Korea Under Climate Change Conditions Using Soil Vulnerability Index

Classifying Cropland Vulnerability to Pollutant Loads Across South Korea Under Climate Change Conditions Using Soil Vulnerability Index

Internal erosion vulnerability of core soil due to drought: Case study of three zoned dams

Internal erosion vulnerability of core soil due to drought: Case study of three zoned dams

An assessment of physical and chemical properties status, degradation rate, and vulnerability potentials of soils of Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the fertility status of soil physical and chemical properties and the degradation rate and vulnerability potentials of soils of the Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria, and suggest appropriate management practices. A total of eighteen (18) composite soil samples from 015 cm were collected at three (3) different locations (Agan, Adaka, and Experimental Farm of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi) within the Makurdi area of Benue State and studied. The sustainability of the soils in the study sites was assessed concerning the cumulative rating index (CRI) of the degradation rating (SDR) and soil vulnerability potentials (SVP). The rating scheme for soil degradation (SDR) and soil vulnerability potential (SVP) and guidelines for interpretation of soil physical and chemical properties were used in the study. Based on the results, the soils of the study sites are loamy sand texture, slightly acidic, medium to high amount of organic carbon content, medium Nitrogen, and low phosphorus. The exchangeable bases of the soils were in the order Ca&gt;Mg&gt;K&gt;Na on the exchange complex. The soils of the study sites could be categorized as having medium Ca2+, low Mg2+, medium Na and high K. The soil properties showed slight variation in their SDR and SVP. Both the SDR and SVP can be sustained with additional organic inputs. Application of additional inputs for enhanced sustainability of the soils is hereby, recommended.

Rainfall patterns associated with runoff and erosion levels in West-Siberian Chernozems

The aim of the study was to identify 1) the main regularities of surface runoff formation due to downpours and 2) the extent of erosion process on arable chernozems in areas with dissected relief and sharply continental climate. The influence of rainfall patterns and soil physical factors on soil erosion was studied in three large geomorphological regions in the South-East of West Siberia. Field observations were carried out during 1968–1979 in the Kuznetsk Depression and in 1984–1986 in the Near-Ob areas, and from 1995 until present in the Near-Salair area. The data of meteorological stations were analyzed for rainfall patterns in the same years, including inter-year variability and downpour recordings. Summer precipitation and its intensity were measured by using hydrograph unit. Water infiltration in the field was studied by the method of small flooded areas (Nesterov’s method), when square or round frames with an area of 2500 (external) and 625 cm2 (internal) were installed on the soil surface. To simplify and automate water supply, the PVN-00 device was used, consisting of two hermetically sealed tanks, two cylindrical frames of different diameters and a tripod. The influence of rainfall patterns and soil physical factors on the processes of soil erosion was studied. As regards climatic factors the data of meteorological stations were analyzed for historical rainfall patterns, including interannual variability and downpour recordings. Experimental data of water infiltration, runoff and soil loss were discussed for the main soils units: Greyzemic Phaeozems (Siltic), Luvic Chernozems (Siltic) and Haplic Chernozems (Siltic) with variable content of soil organic matter and erosion levels. The studied regions were characterized by the prevalence of precipitation during the warm growing season and by sporadic or cyclical precipitation patterns. Heavy rains were found to cause significant damage to agricultural land only locally, during early spring, when the soil is not protected by vegetation. The greatest erosion hazard is represented by meltwater, not only by its total amount, but also by the snow thawing rate. The significant decrease in the infiltration rates with extensive farming is the main factor of degradation of the most fertile soils in West Siberia. Soil vulnerability to erosion in the studied area was shown to decrease in the range: Kuznetsk Depression &gt; Near-Salair &gt; Near-Ob (no storm damage).

Soil vulnerability index to climatic variability in coffee regions of Colombia

Global climate change is one of the main factors threatening agriculture. In this context, variations in precipitation have the strongest effect on soil fertility, plant nutrient availability, and erosion. This research aimed to assess soil vulnerability to climate variability in the central coffee-growing region of Colombia. This study analyzed soil components involved in the sustainability of the coffee production system as affected by extreme high and low precipitation events. For evaluation, three sensitivity indices were constructed, with a weighted aggregation structure and with weight values defined from expert knowledge. The indices were estimated by randomly selecting 432 coffee farms in the municipalities of Balboa and Santuario in Risaralda department and Salamina in Caldas department. The soil nutrient availability and conservation vulnerability index was moderate in the three municipalities (Balboa=2.87 and coefficient of variation-CV 13%; Santuario=2.88 and CV 10%; Salamina=2.9 and CV 9%). The soil leaching vulnerability index was very low in Balboa (4.33 and CV 3%) and Salamina (4.74 and CV 7%) and low in Santuario (3.57 and CV 19%). The soil loss vulnerability index was low in Balboa (3.32 and CV 10.03%) and Salamina (3.49 and CV 11.43%) and moderate in Santuario (3.13 and CV 9.34%). Lastly, the vulnerability of coffee-growing soil to climate variability was low in Balboa (3.33) and Salamina (3.45) and moderate in Santuario (3.09). Based on these results, in the three municipalities, coffee growers must introduce farming practices towards improving soil resilience and decreasing soil vulnerability to high and low precipitation extremes by adequately managing the sources and doses of fertilizers, soil conditioners, and compost and by implementing integrated management of weeds and litterfall.

Large‐scale drivers of relationships between soil microbial properties and organic carbon across Europe

AbstractAimQuantify direct and indirect relationships between soil microbial community properties (potential basal respiration, microbial biomass) and abiotic factors (soil, climate) in three major land‐cover types.LocationEurope.Time period2018.Major taxa studiedMicrobial community (fungi and bacteria).MethodsWe collected 881 soil samples from across Europe in the framework of the Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS). We measured potential soil basal respiration at 20 ºC and microbial biomass (substrate‐induced respiration) using an O2‐microcompensation apparatus. Soil and climate data were obtained from the same LUCAS survey and online databases. Structural equation models (SEMs) were used to quantify relationships between variables, and equations extracted from SEMs were used to create predictive maps. Fatty acid methyl esters were measured in a subset of samples to distinguish fungal from bacterial biomass.ResultsSoil microbial properties in croplands were more heavily affected by climate variables than those in forests. Potential soil basal respiration and microbial biomass were correlated in forests but decoupled in grasslands and croplands, where microbial biomass depended on soil carbon. Forests had a higher ratio of fungi to bacteria than grasslands or croplands.Main conclusionsSoil microbial communities in grasslands and croplands are likely carbon‐limited in comparison with those in forests, and forests have a higher dominance of fungi indicating differences in microbial community composition. Notably, the often already‐degraded soils of croplands could be more vulnerable to climate change than more natural soils. The provided maps show potentially vulnerable areas that should be explicitly accounted for in future management plans to protect soil carbon and slow the increasing vulnerability of European soils to climate change.