Sustainable Use Of Soil Resources Research Articles

High levels of soil calcium and clay facilitate the recovery and stability of organic carbon: Insights from different land uses in the karst of China.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a crucial medium of the global carbon cycle and is profoundly affected by multiple factors, such as climate and management practices. However, interactions between different SOC fractions and land-use change have remained largely unexplored in karst ecosystems with widespread rock outcrops. Owing to the inherent heterogeneity and divergent response of SOC to land-use change, soil samples with close depth were collected from four typical land-use types (cropland, grassland, shrubland, and forestland) in the karst rocky desertification area of China. The aim of this study was to explore the responses of SOC dynamics to land-use types and underlying mechanism. The results showed that land-use type significantly affected SOC contents and its fractions. Compared with cropland, the other three land uses increased the total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and non-labile organic carbon (NLOC) contents by 6.11-129.44%, 32.58-173.73%, and 90.98-347.00%, respectively; this demonstrated that a decrease in both labile and recalcitrant carbon resulted in SOC depletion under agricultural land use. Readily oxidized organic carbon (ROC) ranged from 42 to 69%, accounting for almost half of the TOC in the 0-40-cm soil layer. Cropland soil showed significantly higher ROC:TOC ratios than other land-use types. These results indicated that long-term vegetation restoration decreased SOC activity and improved SOC stability. Greater levels of soil exchangeable calcium (ECa) and clay contents were likely responsible for higher stabilization and then accumulation of SOC after vegetation restoration. The carbon pool index (CPI) rather than the carbon pool management index (CPMI) exhibited consistent variation trend with soil TOC contents among land-use types. Thus, further study is needed to validate the CPMI in evaluating land use effects on soil quality in karst ecosystems. Our findings suggest that land-use patterns characterized by grass or forest could be an effective approach for SOC-sequestration potential and ensure the sustainable use of soil resources in the karst area.

Оптимизиране на калиевото торене при ранно и средноранно производство на домати за устойчиви добиви и икономическа рентабилност

Split potassium fertilization is emerging as an effective technique for the prolonged assimilation of significant amounts of accessible potassium during the vegetation, with the aim of establishing a positive potassium balance in the soil and achieving increased yields of quality produce. The aim of this study was to determine the economic efficiency of the partitioning and split application of potassium doses in the cultivation of tomatoes, both in the early and mid-early production. The results showed that tomato plants demonstrate improved potassium utilization through split application, resulting in increased yields and total production revenues. Split fertilization alternatives proved to be economically viable, with N24Р12К8+8+8 approach being particularly beneficial in early tomato production. This study underlines the importance of optimizing fertilization practices in agriculture, highlighting the potential to increase economic efficiency and profitability for farmers and to ensure the sustainable use of soil resources.

Mean nutrient uptake depths of cereal crops change with compost incorporation into subsoil – evidence from 87Sr/86Sr ratios

Background and AimsRoot restricting layers often hinder crops from accessing the large reservoir of bioavailable mineral nutrients situated in subsoil. This study aims to explore changes in the mean nutrient uptake depth of cereal crops when removing root restricting layers through subsoil management.MethodsSubsoil management was performed by deep loosening, cultivation of lucerne as deep-rooting pre-crop, and their combination with compost incorporation. Management effects were evaluated by means of shoot biomass and element concentrations in shoots and soil compartments. The mean nutrient uptake depth was fingerprinted by graphically matching the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in shoots with the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the exchangeable fraction in soil. Nutrient uplift from depth to topsoil was inferred from element concentrations in the exchangeable fraction in soil.ResultsShoot biomass remained constant in management and control plots. The mean nutrient uptake depth changed with subsoil management in the order: deep loosening < control < deep loosening with compost incorporation. The latter coincided with a reallocation of compost-derived Na and hence resulted in increased levels of bioavailable Na below the depth of compost incorporation, which may have led to an improved water use efficiency of the crops. Thus, Na relocation triggered the deepening of the mean uptake depth of water and nutrients. Moreover, nutrient uplift from depth to topsoil was evident 21 months after subsoiling.ConclusionSubsoil management by deep loosening with compost incorporation provides a sustainable use of soil resources because otherwise unused deep geogenic-derived nutrient reservoirs were additionally involved in crop nutrition.

Mixed Plantations Induce More Soil Macroaggregate Formation and Facilitate Soil Nitrogen Accumulation

Nitrogen plays a crucial role in limiting plant growth and determining net primary productivity in forest ecosystems. However, variations and influencing factors of soil nitrogen distribution on the aggregate scale in pure and mixed Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantations remain unclear. This study aimed to explore how soil aggregate composition, geometric mean diameter (GMD), mean weight diameter (MWD), total nitrogen (TN), total acidolyzable nitrogen (TAN), available nitrogen (AN), nonacidolyzable nitrogen (AIN), amino acid nitrogen (AAN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), cidolyzable ammonia nitrogen (AMN), unknown-acidolyzable nitrogen (HUN), amino sugar nitrogen (ASN), and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) contents and stocks varied with aggregate size (&gt;2, 1–2, 0.25–1, and &lt;0.25 mm) and stand type [Chinese fir mixed with Michelia macclurei Dandy (CF + MM), Chinese fir mixed with Mytilaria laosensis Lecomte (CF + ML) and pure stands of Chinese fir (CF)] in 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil depth. Soil N content in different stand types of Chinese fir plantations decreased as the aggregate size increased, whereas the soil N stock exhibited the opposite trend. In contrast to CF soil, CF + MM and CF + ML soil displayed a significant increase in MWD, GMD, and aggregate-associated TN, AN, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, AIN, AAN, ASN, and AMN contents and stocks, especially CF + MM soil. Organic N was more sensitive to the response of aggregate size and stand type than mineral N. Redundancy analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the 0.25–1 mm aggregate proportion was the main controlling factor for the variations in soil N content and storage. Overall, this study contributed significantly to the promotion of the sustainable use of soil resources and reference information for the scientific management and sustainable development of Chinese fir forests.

Assessment of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution and Health Risks in Different Functional Areas on the Northern Slope of the Eastern Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, NW China.

In typical semi-arid areas, the timely and effective monitoring and evaluation of soil heavy metal pollution are of critical importance to prevent soil deterioration and achieve the sustainable use of soil resources. To further understand the degree of soil heavy metal pollution in different functional areas, we studied the soil heavy metal pollution on the northern slope of the eastern Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. We collected 104 surface soil samples from typical commercial (A), industrial (B), and agricultural (C) areas with different land-use patterns. The contents of Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As, and Hg in the soil of different functional areas were evaluated using the geo-accumulation index, the single-factor pollution index, and potential ecological risk. The results showed that the contents of Pb, As, and Hg in soils of different functional areas exceeded 4.47, 8.03, and 1.5 times the background values of Xinjiang soil, respectively. The average contents of Zn, Cu, and Cr were lower than the background values of Xinjiang soil. Except for As in different functional areas, the contents of the other elements in the different functional areas reached the level of soil environmental quality standards in China (GB15618-2018). The geo-accumulation index of heavy metals in different functional areas was in the order of Area C > Area A > Area B, indicating that Area C was the most polluted. The results of the single-factor pollution index showed that the pollution levels of Pb, As, and Hg were higher, and the pollution levels of Cr, Cu, and Zn were lower. The results of the potential ecological risk index showed that the northwest of Area A was higher, the southeast of Area B was more polluted, and the central and eastern parts of Area C were more polluted. From the perspective of spatial distribution, the spatial distribution characteristics of Zn and Cr elements in different functional areas are consistent, but the spatial distribution characteristics of Cu, Pb, As, and Hg in different functional areas are quite different. The high values of these four elements are mainly distributed in residential areas, factories, and metal smelters. It is necessary to divide the functional areas based on different land-use patterns, and the prevention of soil single-element and heavy metal pollution in different functional areas is reasonable for land resources and provides a scientific basis for the effective planning of quality assurance.

Using Source Fingerprinting Techniques to Investigate Sediment Sources during Snowmelt and Rainfall Erosion Events in a Small Catchment in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China

Concern for the offsite impact of eroded sediment and the need to develop effective catchment sediment management strategies has directed attention to the need for an improved understanding of the primary sediment sources within catchments and the potential of sediment source fingerprinting techniques to provide such information. The study reported here was undertaken in the black soil region of Northeast China, where soil erosion is seen as a serious threat to the sustainable use of soil resources and offsite impacts of eroded soil are also concerned. The study applies source fingerprinting techniques to the evaluation of sediment sources in a small (3.46 km2) agricultural catchment. Sediment sources from five snowmelt and five rainfall events of varying magnitude were contrasted. Three key potential sediment sources were identified within the study catchment: gullies, cultivated topsoil and uncultivated topsoil. Geochemical properties of the source materials (Ti, Ga, Br and Ba) were used as composite fingerprints capable of discriminating between the three potential sources. A mixing model, optimized using a genetic algorithm and coupled with a Monte Carlo procedure to quantify the uncertainty associated with the resulting estimates, was used for source apportionment. The results indicated mean source contributions for the set of 10 events for cultivated topsoil, uncultivated topsoil and the gullies of ~30%, ~10% and ~60%, respectively. In general, snowmelt and rainfall events were characterized by increased contributions from gully sources and cultivated topsoil, respectively. The study is seen as demonstrating the potential for using source tracing techniques to investigate sediment sources in environments where strong seasonal contrasts between snowmelt and rainfall events exist.

Spatial variation of soil functions affected by land use type and slope position in agricultural small watershed

Soil function assessment is critical to mitigate soil degradation and achieve the sustainable use of soil resources. The changes in soil properties induced by land use type and slope position likely affect soil function considerably. Few studies have been carried out to investigate the spatial variation of soil function with land use type and slope position in small watershed impacted by intensive agricultural activities. Hence, eight typical land use types and five slope positions were selected in one agricultural small watershed to quantify the spatial variations of soil functions and their influencing factors in the Chinese black soil region. The five soil functions, e.g., primary productivity (PP), water purification and regulation (WPR), climate regulation and carbon sequestration (CRCS), provision of habitat for biodiversity (PHB), and nutrient cycling and provision (NCP) were computed from 22 measured soil properties. The results showed that all measured soil properties exhibited significant variations with land use type and slope position (p < 0.05). Significant variation was found in soil functions between different land use types and slope positions (p < 0.05). The lower soil functions were detected in road and cropland, especially at the middle slope position of cropland. The redundancy analysis revealed that soil cation exchange capacity, available nitrogen, urease, structure stability index, invertase, total nitrogen, soil organic matter and alkaline phosphatase were the dominant factors attributed to the spatial variation of soil functions. The corresponding contributions were 13.9 %, 11.4 %, 8.9 %, 7.6 %, 7.0 %, 6.1 %, 5.7 % and 5.50 %. Combined with the results of structural equation model, soil erosion was the dominant process to reduce soils by altering soil properties. The measures promoting nutrient accumulation and controlling soil erosion should be implemented to enhance soil functions of degraded cropland in the black soil region. The findings of this study are helpful to design the measures of soil and water conservation in agricultural small watershed to promote its ecological service.

Assessing alteration of soil quality, degradation, and resistance indices under different land uses through network and factor analysis

Over-increasing population and their needs necessitate sustainable use of soil and the other natural resources. In these circumstances land use changes may occur for supplying the food and settlement requirements of the increased population. Therefore, it is needed to evaluate and monitor quality and degradation of the soils. Recently, identification of appropriate soil quality (SQI) and degradation (SDI) indices for assessing sustainable use of soil resources has received increased attention. However, evaluation of quality, degradation, and resistance indices through various new approaches (e.g., network, NA and factor, FA analysis) particularly under different land uses to determine their susceptibility have been rarely conducted. The present study aimed to i) determine SQI, SDI, and resistance (SRI) indices NA and FA approaches under different land uses; ii) investigate the most influential attributes to soil quality (SQ); and iii) to compare SQIs obtained using two different Integrated (IQI) and Nemoro (NQI) Quality Indices, and indicator selection (Minimum Data Set, MDS and Total Data Set, TDS) approaches. Composite soil samples of cropland, forestland, and rangeland were collected and twenty-one soil physicochemical and fertility indicators were measured. MDS was determined using principal component analysis (PCA). The SDI and SRI were computed and compared. Results revealed that the SDI was -13.8% and -4.6% for the cropland and rangeland, respectively indicating inappropriate soil managerial practices in cropland. SRI was 0.01 and 0.41 for the cropland and rangeland, respectively. The lowest SRI values were obtained for critical level of organic matter (CLOM), organic matter (OM), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) showing that these properties, compared with the others, are more sensitive to land use change. Regression equations between SDI and SRI revealed that these substantial relationships show similar trends indicating that these are useful indices to determine SQ and evaluate the effect of land use change and managerial practices. Soils in cropland had a significantly lower deterioration index (DI) (-66.70) than that of the other land uses. SQI in the cropland was the lowest, especially when screened with the NA method. Furthermore, SQI showed the highest correlation with clay and CLOM. The linear SQI value derived from correlation-based-NA method showed greater max/min ratios than that of the FA. Therefore, the NA-based-SQI, as a novel statistical approach, would be more effective than the SQI-derived-FA for evaluating the effects of land use changes and managerial practices. In general, the mentioned technique is a relatively comprehensive approach integrating different influential soil indicators with various weights showing their contributions to soil quality or degradation process.

Influence of Tillage and Cropping Systems on Soil Properties and Crop Performance under Semi-Arid Conditions

Conservation agriculture helps to mitigate the adverse impacts of conventional practices and intensive cultivation, accordingly enhancing agricultural sustainability. Tillage management and the preceding crop impact the sustainable use of soil resources and ultimately crop growth and productivity. The present study aimed to assess the impacts of the tillage system, cropping system, and their different interactions on soil properties and agronomic performance. No-tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT) were combined with three cropping systems; continuous wheat (wheat/wheat/wheat, W/W/W), lentil/wheat/lentil (L/W/L), and oat/wheat/barley-pea (O/W/BP) during three years crop rotation. The results displayed that the conservative practices (NT and RT) recorded higher soil nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) than conventional tillage (CT). Moreover, NT and RT exhibited higher bulk density (BD) and lower water infiltration rates compared to CT. Besides, NT and RT tended to have higher soil moisture than CT. The cropping system W/W/W displayed higher magnesium content, while W/L/W had higher phosphorous and O/W/BP showed higher sodium values. The mono-cropping system under conventional tillage tended to have lower soil nutrient content compared to the other combinations. The highest wheat aboveground biomass, wheat grain yield, and lentil seed yield were produced by RT and CT compared to NT. Otherwise, the higher emergence of barley-pea was assigned for NT followed by CT and RT.

Magnesium stable isotopes as a potential geochemical tool in agronomy – Constraints and opportunities

A sustainable use of soil resources is urgently required to cope with the increasing demand for agricultural products during climate change. To inspire farmers on new soil cultivation methods like subsoil management requires not only yield measurements but also nutrient use efficiency measurements for which analytical tools are still missing. Stable isotopes of the macronutrient magnesium (Mg) are a potential novel subsoil management evaluation tool in agronomy and soil/plant sciences because its isotope ratios shift considerably during Mg uptake by crops. The feasibility of Mg stable isotopes was first demonstrated conceptually by simulating subsoil management on soils with low, middle, and high inventories of bioavailable Mg and crop plants typically cultivated in Germany. This simulation showed that the magnitude of Mg isotope shifts among crops and the exchangeable fraction of Mg in soil is resolvable from the long-term external precision of Mg isotope analyses only if three conditions are met. First, the crop uptake-related Mg isotope fractionation factor should be at the upper end of hitherto published fractionation factors. Second, a high Mg uptake flux of crop plants (e.g., sugar beets) is matched by a low Mg supply from the exchangeable fraction in soil (e.g., sandy soils). Third, subsoil management causes a considerable deepening of the rooting system (e.g., flipping the topsoil root cluster below 30 cm depth). If these conditions are met, Mg stable isotopes can be used in a qualitative manner to identify the main Mg uptake depth, and in a quantitative manner by calculating the Mg use efficiency, defined here as the ratio of Mg uptake versus Mg supply, solely from Mg isotope ratios. This concept was tested for Alfisols on field trials by conducting deep loosening with and without the incorporation of compost. Magnesium isotope shifts in crops and the exchangeable fraction of Mg in soil were mostly unresolvable from the long-term external precision of Mg isotope analyses, which positively tested the Mg isotope concept for well nurtured soils. However, systematic Mg isotope shifts among bulk crops cultivated on and beside a melioration strip were found and attributed to the uplift of isotopically distinct compost-derived Mg on the melioration strip and root restricting layers beside the melioration strip. Given that the Mg isotope composition of the exchangeable fraction barely varies with depth, field-based crop uptake-related ‘apparent’ Mg isotope fractionation factors of winter wheat and spring barley could be determined, which differed from one another (Δ26Mgwheat-rem. exch. = 0.63 ± 0.05‰, Δ26Mgbarley-rem. exch. = 0.37 ± 0.12‰). Nonetheless, the quantitative approach of Mg isotopes was violated when calcareous fertilizer was applied to the field as differences in the isotope-derived Mg use efficiency could be attributed to the uneven distribution of lime-derived Mg with depth. Using Mg stable isotopes as a new geochemical routine for agronomy and soil/plant sciences requires future work focussing on isotope fractionation factors related to crop uptake and intra-plant translocation of Mg – which may depend on species, environmental conditions, and nutrient status – to allow minimally invasive sampling of the soil-plant system and to reduce sample sets.

Application of Q-methodology for identifying factors of acceptance of spatial planning instruments

Worldwide, urbanization leads to increased pressure on prime agricultural land with irreversible impacts on the provision of life-supporting services such as food and drinking water production or habitat for plants and animals. As a basis for designing new policy instruments to protect soil resources, we applied Q-methodology to assess factors that influence the acceptance or rejection of such instruments. Using an online survey and interviews, we identified different social perspectives and their respective argumentation patterns. The results show that effect on people, institutional embeddedness, trust in the acting institutions, and the overall understanding of the instrument are the most important factors for the acceptance of policy instruments fostering the sustainable use of soil resources. During the interviews, idealistic and fact-based arguments were more important than person-based arguments. Based on our results, communication strategies in the policy-making process can be improved and tailored to the identified characteristics of the social perspectives.

Study on sustainable use of soil resources by comparative soil ecology

Study on sustainable use of soil resources by comparative soil ecology

Influence of preceding crop and tillage system on forage yield and quality of selected summer grass and legume forage crops under arid conditions

Among the crop production factors, preceding crop and tillage management affect the sustainable use of soil resources and ultimately crop growth and productivity. This study aimed at investigating the impact of preceding winter crops (grass or legume) and different tillage systems on forage yield, quality and nutritive values of three summer grass (Sudan grass, pearl millet and teosinte) and two legume forage crops (cowpea and guar) under arid conditions. The results exhibited that growing forage crops after legumes (as berseem clover) produced the highest fresh and dry forage yields and quality attributes compared with grasses (as wheat) with the exception of crude fiber content, which was decreased. Moreover, tillage practices showed positive impact on forage yields and quality attributes. The maximum forage yields and quality parameters were recorded under conventional tillage (CT) practice compared with reduced tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT) systems. Among the evaluated crops, the highest yields of fresh forage, dry forage, crude fiber, crude protein and total digestible nutrient were exhibited by grass forage crops (Sudan grass, pearl millet and teosinte), whereas the highest crude protein content and the digestible energy values were produced by legume forage crops (cowpea and guar). The maximum fresh forage, dry forage, crude fiber, crude protein, total digestible nutrient and digestible crude protein yields were produced by pearl millet followed by Sudan grass under CT and RT after berseem clover. The highest net return was recorded by sowing pearl millet after berseem clover and applying CT followed by RT practices, which could be recommended for the commercial production. Moreover, it could be assumed that the combination of growing grass forage crops after legume crops under CT or RT systems could enhance forage crop yield and quality with an improvement in soil properties for sustainable agriculture with low cost and the highest net income.

Digital mapping of GlobalSoilMap soil properties at a broad scale: A review

Soils are essential for supporting food production and providing ecosystem services but are under pressure due to population growth, higher food demand, and land use competition. Because of the effort to ensure the sustainable use of soil resources, demand for current, updatable soil information capable of supporting decisions across scales is increasing. Digital soil mapping (DSM) addresses the drawbacks of conventional soil mapping and has been increasingly used for delivering soil information in a time- and cost-efficient manner with higher spatial resolution, better map accuracy, and quantified uncertainty estimates. We reviewed 244 articles published between January 2003 and July 2021 and then summarised the progress in broad-scale (spatial extent >10,000 km2) DSM, focusing on the 12 mandatory soil properties for GlobalSoilMap. We observed that DSM publications continued to increase exponentially; however, the majority (74.6%) focused on applications rather than methodology development. China, France, Australia, and the United States were the most active countries, and Africa and South America lacked country-based DSM products. Approximately 78% of articles focused on mapping soil organic matter/carbon content and soil organic carbon stocks because of their significant role in food security and climate regulation. Half the articles focused on soil information in topsoil only (<30 cm), and studies on deep soil (100–200 cm) were less represented (21.7%). Relief, organisms, and climate were the three most frequently used environmental covariates in DSM. Nonlinear models (i.e. machine learning) have been increasingly used in DSM for their capacity to manage complex interactions between soil information and environmental covariates. Soil pH was the best predicted soil property (average R2 of 0.60, 0.63, and 0.56 at 0–30, 30–100, and 100–200 cm). Other relatively well-predicted soil properties were clay, silt, sand, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), SOC stocks, and bulk density, and coarse fragments and soil depth were poorly predicted (R2 < 0.28). In addition, decreasing model performance with deeper depth intervals was found for most soil properties. Further research should pursue rescuing legacy data, sampling new data guided by well-designed sampling schemas, collecting representative environmental covariates, improving the performance and interpretability of advanced spatial predictive models, relating performance indicators such as accuracy and precision to cost-benefit and risk assessment analysis for improving decision support; moving from static DSM to dynamic DSM; and providing high-quality, fine-resolution digital soil maps to address global challenges related to soil resources.

Karışım Ekim Koşullarında Yaygın Fiğ (Vicia Sativa L.) ve Tritikale (Xtriticosecale Wittmack) Bitkisinin Kök Sistemi Etkileşimleri

Intercropping, mixed cropping, and rotation are commonly applied and some of the oldest crop production techniques to improve soil structure and nitrogen status. While rotation takes generally two-season with one triticeae and legume, inter-and mixed cropping takes place within the same season. Among many advantages of legume inter-and mixed cropping, the most important one is the sustainable use of soil resources and reduced input cost. Numerous studies evaluated the effect of inter -and mixed cropping on above-ground interactions, very few investigated below-ground interactions in these systems. This study aimed to investigate common vetch (Vicia sativa) x triticale (Xtriticosecale Wittmack) root system interactions at the seedling stage under intercropping conditions. The study was conducted with a semi-hydroponic plexiglass system. Five different ratios were used to test species level intercommunication and competition. The results suggest that, while triticale significantly affected the development of common vetch roots, common vetch did not affect triticale. Triticale with a fibrous root system was more aggressive on root growth compared to common vetch. It was seen that the most vigorous root system development (for both species) was at doses with higher legume ratios. Our results highlight the importance of below-ground interactions for the selection of best ratios to gain maximum outcome from the intercropping systems

Soil Diversity (Pedodiversity) and Ecosystem Services

Soil ecosystem services (ES) (e.g., provisioning, regulation/maintenance, and cultural) and ecosystem disservices (ED) are dependent on soil diversity/pedodiversity (variability of soils), which needs to be accounted for in the economic analysis and business decision-making. The concept of pedodiversity (biotic + abiotic) is highly complex and can be broadly interpreted because it is formed from the interaction of atmospheric diversity (abiotic + biotic), biodiversity (biotic), hydrodiversity (abiotic + biotic), and lithodiversity (abiotic) within ecosphere and anthroposphere. Pedodiversity is influenced by intrinsic (within the soil) and extrinsic (outside soil) factors, which are also relevant to ES/ED. Pedodiversity concepts and measures may need to be adapted to the ES framework and business applications. Currently, there are four main approaches to analyze pedodiversity: taxonomic (diversity of soil classes), genetic (diversity of genetic horizons), parametric (diversity of soil properties), and functional (soil behavior under different uses). The objective of this article is to illustrate the application of pedodiversity concepts and measures to value ES/ED with examples based on the contiguous United States (U.S.), its administrative units, and the systems of soil classification (e.g., U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy, Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database). This study is based on a combination of original research and literature review examples. Taxonomic pedodiversity in the contiguous U.S. exhibits high soil diversity, with 11 soil orders, 65 suborders, 317 great groups, 2026 subgroups, and 19,602 series. The ranking of “soil order abundance” (area of each soil order within the U.S.) expressed as the proportion of the total area is: (1) Mollisols (27%), (2) Alfisols (17%), (3) Entisols (14%), (4) Inceptisols and Aridisols (11% each), (5) Spodosols (3%), (6) Vertisols (2%), and (7) Histosols and Andisols (1% each). Taxonomic, genetic, parametric, and functional pedodiversity are an essential context for analyzing, interpreting, and reporting ES/ED within the ES framework. Although each approach can be used separately, three of these approaches (genetic, parametric, and functional) fall within the “umbrella” of taxonomic pedodiversity, which separates soils based on properties important to potential use. Extrinsic factors play a major role in pedodiversity and should be accounted for in ES/ED valuation based on various databases (e.g., National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) databases). Pedodiversity is crucial in identifying soil capacity (pedocapacity) and “hotspots” of ES/ED as part of business decision making to provide more sustainable use of soil resources. Pedodiversity is not a static construct but is highly dynamic, and various human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization) can lead to soil degradation and even soil extinction.

Understanding the role of water and tillage erosion from &amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;239+240&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;Pu tracer measurements using inverse modelling

Abstract. Soil redistribution on arable land is a major threat for a sustainable use of soil resources. The majority of soil redistribution studies focus on water erosion, while wind and tillage erosion also induce pronounced redistribution of soil materials. Tillage erosion especially is understudied, as it does not lead to visible off-site damages. The analysis of on-site/in-field soil redistribution is mostly based on tracer studies, where radionuclide tracers (e.g. 137Cs, 239+240Pu) from nuclear weapon tests are commonly used to derive the erosion history over the past 50–60 years. Tracer studies allow us to determine soil redistribution patterns but integrate all types of soil redistribution processes and hence do not allow us to unravel the contribution of individual erosion processes. The aim of this study is to understand the contribution of water and tillage erosion leading to soil patterns found in a small hummocky ground moraine kettle hole catchment under intensive agricultural use. Therefore, 239+240Pu-derived soil redistribution patterns were analysed using an inverse modelling approach accounting for water and tillage erosion processes. The results of this analysis clearly point out that tillage erosion is the dominant process of soil redistribution in the study catchment, which also affects the hydrological and sedimentological connectivity between arable land and the kettle hole. A topographic change up to 17 cm (53 yr)−1 in the eroded parts of the catchment is not able to explain the current soil profile truncation that exceeds the 239+240Pu-derived topographic change substantially. Hence, tillage erosion already started before the onset of intense mechanisation since the 1960s. In general, the study stresses the urgent need to consider tillage erosion as a major soil degradation process that can be the dominant soil redistribution process in sloped arable landscapes.

Effects of Cunninghamia lanceolata stand types on the changes of aggregate-related organic carbon and nutrients in surface soil

Exploring the microscopic characterization of organic carbon and nutrients in surface soil of different Chinese fir stands at aggregate scale can lay a theoretical foundation for promoting the sustainable use of soil resources with implications for improving soil health and fertility. We mea-sured the concentrations of soil organic C (OC), total nitrogen (TN), alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), Olsen-P (AP), and available K (AK) in aggregate fractions collected from 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers in three different stands, mixed plantation of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Michelia macclurei (Ⅰ), C. lanceolata and Mytilaria laosensis (Ⅱ) and pure plantation of C. lanceolata (Ⅲ) respectively. Soil aggregates were classified into >2, 0.25-2, and <0.25 mm fractions by a dry-sieving procedure. The organic carbon and nutrient contents of soil aggregates in different stands increased with the decreases of particle size while the contribution rate of aggregates with different particle sizes to soil organic carbon and nutrient storage in 0-10 cm soil layer mainly was (>2 mm)>(0.25-2 mm)>(<0.25 mm), which was (>2 mm)>(<0.25 mm)>(0.25-2 mm) in 10-20 cm soil layer. The average weight diameter (MWD), the contents and stocks of OC, TN, AN and AP in surface soil aggregates of different stands ranked as Ⅰ>Ⅱ>Ⅲ (except the AP in 10-20 cm soil layer), while the contents and stocks of AK ranked as Ⅲ>Ⅰ>Ⅱ. Compared with pure plantation, aggregate structure of surface soil of mixed plantations was more stable, and Ⅰ was better than Ⅱ, because Ⅰ was artificially disturbed but Ⅱwas not. Therefore, the mixed plantation of C. lanceolata and M. macclurei could effectively promote the formation and stability of soil aggregates, and alleviate decomposition of soil organic matter and nutrient loss in plantations.

The Business Side of Ecosystem Services of Soil Systems

Current applications of the Ecosystems Services (ES) framework to soils are narrowly defined (e.g., soil-based, pedosphere-based, etc.), and focus on soil properties while treating soil as a closed system. Because soil is an open system, it receives and loses matter across its boundaries within Earth’s spheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, ecosphere, and anthroposphere), which also need to be accounted for in economic analysis. In market economies, the market transforms resources from the Earth’s pedosphere and related spheres into goods and services for societal welfare with non-market institutions mediating human and environmental interactions. These transformations and mediations can result not only in welfare but damages as well. The concept of soil ES and ecosystem disservices (ED) is a human-centered framework, which can be a useful tool in business decision-making. Soil ES (e.g., provisioning, regulation/ maintenance, and cultural) are used to produce goods and services, but the value of these ES and ED are not always accounted for as a part of business decision-making. The objective of this review is to illustrate the monetary valuation of ecosystem services of soil systems (SS) with examples based on the organizational hierarchy of soil systems. The organizational hierarchy of soil systems can be used in economic valuations of soil ES by scale (e.g., world, continent), time (e.g., soil, geologic), qualitative and quantitative degrees of computation (e.g., mental, verbal, descriptive, mathematical, deterministic, stochastic), and degree of complexity (e.g., mechanistic, empirical). Soil survey databases, soil analyses, Soil Data Systems (SDS), and Soil Business Systems (SBS) provide tools and a wide range of quantitative/qualitative data and information to evaluate goods and services for various business applications, but these sources of soil data may be limited in scope due to their static nature. Valuation of soil resources based on soil and non-soil science databases (e.g., National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) databases, etc.) is critically needed to account for these ES/ED as part of business decision-making to provide more sustainable use of soil resources. Since most ecosystems on Earth have been modified by human activity, “soil systems goods and services” (SSGS) may be a more applicable term to describe soil contributions (benefits/damages) to economic activity, compared to a term such as “soil ecosystem goods and services.”

The Business Side of Ecosystem Services of Soil Systems

Current applications of the Ecosystems Services (ES) framework to soils are narrowly defined (e.g., soil-based, pedosphere-based, etc.), and focus on soil properties while treating soil as a closed system. Because soil is an open system, it receives and loses matter across its boundaries within Earth’s spheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, ecosphere, and anthroposphere), which also need to be accounted for in economic analysis. In market economies, the market transforms resources from the Earth’s pedosphere and related spheres into goods and services for societal welfare with non-market institutions mediating human and environmental interactions. These transformations and mediations can result not only in welfare but damages as well. The concept of soil ES and ecosystem disservices (ED) is a human-centered framework, which can be a useful tool in business decision-making. Soil ES (e.g., provisioning, regulation/ maintenance, and cultural) are used to produce goods and services, but the value of these ES and ED are not always accounted for as a part of business decision-making. The objective of this review is to illustrate the monetary valuation of ecosystem services of soil systems (SS) with examples based on the organizational hierarchy of soil systems. The organizational hierarchy of soil systems can be used in economic valuations of soil ES by scale (e.g., world, continent), time (e.g., soil, geologic), qualitative and quantitative degrees of computation (e.g., mental, verbal, descriptive, mathematical, deterministic, stochastic), and degree of complexity (e.g., mechanistic, empirical). Soil survey databases, soil analyses, Soil Data Systems (SDS), and Soil Business Systems (SBS) provide tools and a wide range of quantitative/qualitative data and information to evaluate goods and services for various business applications, but these sources of soil data may be limited in scope due to their static nature. Valuation of soil resources based on soil and non-soil science databases (e.g., National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) databases, etc.) is critically needed to account for these ES/ED as part of business decision-making to provide more sustainable use of soil resources. Since most ecosystems on Earth have been modified by human activity, “soil systems goods and services” (SSGS) may be a more applicable term to describe soil contributions (benefits/damages) to economic activity, compared to a term such as “soil ecosystem goods and services.”