Decoupling of soil nutrient cycles as a function of aridity in global drylands

The biogeochemical cycles of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are interlinked by primary production, respiration and decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. It has been suggested that the C, N and P cycles could become uncoupled under rapid climate change because of the different degrees of control exerted on the supply of these elements by biological and geochemical processes. Climatic controls on biogeochemical cycles are particularly relevant in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid ecosystems (drylands) because their biological activity is mainly driven by water availability. The increase in aridity predicted for the twenty-first century in many drylands worldwide may therefore threaten the balance between these cycles, differentially affecting the availability of essential nutrients. Here we evaluate how aridity affects the balance between C, N and P in soils collected from 224 dryland sites from all continents except Antarctica. We find a negative effect of aridity on the concentration of soil organic C and total N, but a positive effect on the concentration of inorganic P. Aridity is negatively related to plant cover, which may favour the dominance of physical processes such as rock weathering, a major source of P to ecosystems, over biological processes that provide more C and N, such as litter decomposition. Our findings suggest that any predicted increase in aridity with climate change will probably reduce the concentrations of N and C in global drylands, but increase that of P. These changes would uncouple the C, N and P cycles in drylands and could negatively affect the provision of key services provided by these ecosystems.

Parallel sets and morphological measurements of CT images of soil pore structure in a vineyard

Important physical and biological processes in soil-plant-microbial systems are dominated by the geometry of soil pore space, and a correct model of this geometry is critical for understanding them. We analyze the geometry of soil pore space with the X-ray computed tomography (CT) of intact soil columns. We present here some preliminary results of our investigation on Minkowski functionals of parallel sets to characterize soil structure. We also show how the evolution of Minkowski morphological measurements of parallel sets may help to characterize the influence of conventional tillage and permanent cover crop of resident vegetation on soil structure in a Spanish Mediterranean vineyard.

Effects of soil management in vineyard on soil physical and chemical characteristics

Cover crops in Mediterranean vineyards are scarcely used due to water competition between the cover crop and the grapevine; however, bare soil management through tillage or herbicides tends to have negative effects on the soil over time (organic matter decrease, soil structure and soil fertility degradation, compaction, etc). The objective of this study was to understand how soil management affects soil fertility, compaction and infiltration over time. To this end, two bare soil techniques were compared, tillage (TT) and total herbicide (HT) with two cover crops; annual cereal (CT) and annual grass (AGT), established for 8 years. CT treatment showed the highest organic matter content, having the biggest amount of biomass incorporated into the soil. The annual adventitious vegetation in TT treatment (568 kg dry matter ha-1) that was incorporated into the soil, kept the organic matter content higher than HT levels and close to AGT level, in spite of the greater aboveground annual biomass production of this treatment (3632 kg dry matter ha-1) whereas only its roots were incorporated into the soil. TT presented the highest bulk density under the tractor track lines and a greatest resistance to penetration (at 0.2 m depth). AGT presented bulk density values (upper 0.4 m) lower than TT and penetration resistance in CT lower (at 0.20 m depth) than TT too. Effects of soil management in vineyard on soil physical and chemical characteristics - ResearchGate. Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/268520480_Effects_of_soil_management_in_vineyard_on_soil_physical_and_chemical_characteristics [accessed May 20, 2015].

Linking land cover changes in the subalpine and montane belts to changes in a torrential river.

Channel cbanges are the consequence of cbanges in sediment yield from the slopes and in the connectivity between slopes and channels bccause of distinct land use and climate inJpacts. In Ibis study, we investigated the characteristics and evolution of a short reach in the headwater of the !juez River, central-soutbem Pyrenees. Assessment of a series of sedimentar)' and geomorphic structures confirtned major cbanges to the valley boUom, mainly related to changes in the intensity of human activity. 'The oldest sedimentar)' structure is a terrace leve! located 3 10 4 m above the current alluvial plain. General deforestation, overgrazing and recwring tires in the montane belt ( 1100-1600 m a.sJ.) have led 10 increased soil erosioo and connectivity, and to tbe triggering of debris llows thal have been deposited on the fluvial tmace. Woody fragments from within the debris llows were dated using acceleraror mass spectrOmetry '"e radiocaroon tcchniques (AMS), yielding ages between 1 00 and 115 cal years BP, whicb coincides with tbe period of maximum deforestalion and human density in the Pyrenees. Depopulation and fannland abaodonment since tbe beginning of tbe 2001 oenrury has resulled in generalliJcod natural and artificial reforestation, a shrinkage of the eroded arcas aod a decline in connectivi¡y bdween slopes and the channel. 1be rnost impor1an1 consequence has been cbannel incision and oarrowing, and the development of a sedimed annour !ayer. Active sedimenl b8llSpOI1 is continui.Qg, although there has been a decrease in sed.iment yield from the slopes. Copyright O 2014 John Wiley & Soos, Ltd.

Ammonia and Greenhouse Gases Emission from Slurry Storage with impermeable Cover and Landspreading of Cattle Slurry

Intensive farm systems handle large volume of livestock wastes, resulting in adverse environmental effects, such as gaseous losses into the atmosphere in form of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHG), i.e. methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). In this study, the manure management continuum of slurry storage with impermeable cover and following cattle slurry band spreading and incorporation to soil was assessed for NH3 and GHG emissions. The experiment was conducted in an outdoor covered storage (flexible bag system) (study I), which collected the slurry produced in 7 dairy cattle farms (2,000 m3 slurry) during 12 days in the northern Spain.

Influence of soil stiffness on the dynamic response of an offshore wind turbine

La industria de la energía eólica marina ha crecido de forma significativa durante los últimos 15 años, y se espera que siga creciendo durante los siguientes. La construcción de torres en aguas cada vez más profundas y el aumento en potencia y tamaño de las turbinas han creado la necesidad de diseñar estructuras de soporte cada vez más fiables y optimizadas, lo que requiere un profundo conocimiento de su comportamiento. Este trabajo se centra en la respuesta dinámica de una turbina marina con cimentación tipo monopilote y sobre la que actúa la fuerza del viento. Se han realizado cálculos con distintas propiedades del suelo para cubrir un rango de rigideces que va desde una arena muy suelta a una muy densa. De este modo se ha analizado la influencia que tiene la rigidez del suelo en el comportamiento de la estructura. Se han llevado a cabo análisis estáticos y dinámicos en un modelo de elementos finitos implementado en Abaqus. El desplazamiento en la cabeza de la torre y la tensión en su base se han obtenido en función de la rigidez del suelo, y con ellos se ha calculado la amplificación dinámica producida cuando la frecuencia natural del sistema suelo‐cimentación torre se aproxima a la frecuencia de la carga. Dos diferentes enfoques a la hora de modelizar el suelo se han comparado: uno utilizando elementos continuos y otro utilizando muelles elásticos no lineales. Por último, un análisis de fiabilidad se ha llevado a cabo con un modelo analítico para calcular la probabilidad de resonancia del sistema, en el que se han considerado las propiedades de rigidez del suelo como variables aleatorias. Offshore wind energy industry has experienced a significant growth over the past 15 years, and it is expected to continue its growth in the coming years. The expansion to increasingly deep waters and the rise in power and size of the turbines have led to a need for more reliable and optimized support designs, which requires an extensive knowledge of the behaviour of these structures. This work focuses on the dynamic response of an offshore wind turbine founded on a monopile and subjected to wind loading. Different soil properties have been considered in order to cover the range of stiffness from a very loose to a very dense sand. In this way, the influence of stiffness on the structure behaviour has been assessed. Static and dynamic analyses have been carried out by means of a finite element model implemented in Abaqus. Head displacement and stress at the tower base have been obtained as functions of soil stiffness, and they have been used to calculate the dynamic amplification that is produced when the natural frequency of the system soil‐foundation‐tower approaches the load frequency. Two different approaches of soil modelling have been compared: soil modelled as a continuum and soil simulated with non linear elastic springs. Finally, a reliability analysis to assess the probability of resonance has been performed with an analytical model, in which soil stiffness properties are considered as stochastic variables.

Mapping soil organic carbon storage in deep soil horizons of Amazonian Podzols

The Podzols of the world are divided into intra-zonal and zonal according to then location. Zonal Podzols are typical for boreal and taiga zone associated to climate conditions. Intra-zonal podzols are not necessarily limited by climate and are typical for mineral poor substrates. The Intra-zonal Podzols of the Brazilian Amazon cover important surfaces of the upper Amazon basin. Their formation is attributed to perched groundwater associated to organic matter and metals accumulations in reducing/acidic environments. Podzols have a great capacity of storing important amounts of soil organic carbon in deep thick spodic horizons (Bh), in soil depths ranging from 1.5 to 5m. Previous research concerning the soil carbon stock in Amazon soils have not taken into account the deep carbon stock (below 1 m soil depth) of Podzols. Given this, the main goal of this research was to quantify and to map the soil organic carbon stock in the region of Rio Negro basin, considering the carbon stored in the first soil meter as well as the carbon stored in deep soil horizons up to 3m. The amount of soil organic carbon stored in soils of Rio Negro basin was evaluated in different map scales, from local surveys, to the scale of the basin. High spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing images were necessary in order to map the soil types of the studied areas and to estimate the soil carbon stock in local and regional scale. Therefore, a multi-sensor analysis was applied with the aim of generating a series of biophysical attributes that can be indirectly related to lateral variation of soil types. The soil organic carbon stock was also estimated for the area of the Brazilian portion of the Rio Negro basin, based on geostatistical analysis (multiple regression kriging), remote sensing images and legacy data. We observed that Podzols store an average carbon stock of 18 kg C m-2 on the first soil meter. Similar amount was observed in adjacent soils (mainly Ferralsols and Acrisols) with an average carbon stock of 15 kg C m-2. However if we take into account a 3 m soil depth, the amount of carbon stored in Podzols is significantly higher with values ranging from 55 kg C m-2 to 82 kg C m-2, which is higher than the one stored in adjacent soils (18 kg C m-2 to 25 kg C m-2). Given this, the amount of carbon stored in deep soil horizons of Podzols should be considered as an important carbon reservoir, face a scenario of global climate change

Plant regeneration functional groups modulate the response to fire of soil enzyme activities in a Mediterranean shrubland

Soil enzymes are critical to soil nutrient cycling function but knowledge on the factors that control their response to major disturbances such as wildfires remains very limited. We evaluated the effect of fire-related plant functional traits (resprouting and seeding) on the resistance and resilience to fire of two soil enzyme activities involved in phosphorus and carbon cycling (acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase) in a Mediterranean shrublands in SE Spain. Using experimental fires, we compared four types of shrubland microsites: SS (vegetation patches dominated by seeder species), RR (patches dominated by resprouter species), SR (patches co-dominated by seeder and resprouter species), and IP (shrub interpatches). We assessed pre- and post-fire activities of the target soil enzymes, available P, soil organic C, and plant cover dynamics over three years after the fire. Post-fire regeneration functional groups (resprouter, seeder) modulated both pre- and post-fire activity of acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase, with higher activity in RR and SR patches than in SS patches and IP. However, we found no major differences in enzyme resistance and resilience between microsite types, except for a trend towards less resilience in SS patches. Fire similarly reduced the activity of both enzymes. However, acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase showed contrasting post-fire dynamics. While β-glucosidase proved to be rather resilient to fire, fully recovering three years after fire, acid phosphatase showed no signs of recovery in that period. Overall, the results indicate a positive influence of resprouter species on soil enzyme activity that is very resistant to fire. Long-lasting decrease in acid phosphatase activity probably resulted from the combined effect of P availability and post-fire drought. Our results provide insights on how plant functional traits modulate soil biochemical and microbiological response to fire in Mediterranean fire-prone shrublands.

Effects of plant functional traits on soil stability: intraspecific variability matters

This data set describes different vegetation, soil and plant functional traits (PFTs) of 15 plant species in 30 sampling plots of an agricultural landscape in the Haean-myun catchment in South Korea. We divided the data set into two main tables, the first one includes the PFTs data of the 15 studied plant species, and the second one includes the soil and vegetation characteristics of the 30 sampling plots. For a total of 150 individuals, we measures the maximum plant height (cm) and leaf size (cm**2), which means the leaf surface area for the aboveground compartment of each individual. For the belowground compartment, we measured root horizontal width, which is the maximum horizontal spread of the root, rooting length, which is the maximum rooting depth, root diameter, which is the average root diameter of a the whole root, specific root length (SRL), which is the root length divided by the root dry mass, and root/shoot ratio, which is the root dry mass divided by the shoot dry mass. At each of the 30 studied plots, we estimated three different variables describing the vegetation characteristics: vegetation cover (i.e. the percentage of ground covered by vegetation), species richness (i.e. the number of observed species) and root density (estimated using a 30 cm x 30 cm metallic frame divided into nine 10 cm x 10 cm grids placed on the soil profile), as we calculated the total number of roots that appear in each of the nine grids and then we converted it into percentage based on the root count, following. Moreover, in each plot we estimated six different soil variables: Bulk density (g/cm**3), clay % (i.e. percentage of clay), silt % (i.e. percentage of silt), soil aggregate stability, using mean weight diameter (MWD), penetration resistance (kg/cm**2), using pocket penetrometer and soil shear vane strength (kPa).

Maps (pdf) and raster images (tif) of predicted rural land cover suitability under current (2010) conditions and future climate scenarios

This study projects land cover probabilities under climate change for corn (maize), soybeans, spring and winter wheat, winter wheat-soybean double cropping, cotton, grassland and forest across 16 central U.S. states at a high spatial resolution, while also taking into account the influence of soil characteristics and topography. The scenarios span three oceanic-atmospheric global circulation models, three Representative Concentration Pathways, and three time periods (2040, 2070, 2100). As climate change intensifies, the suitable area for all six crops display large northward shifts. Total suitable area for spring wheat, followed by corn and soybeans, diminish. Suitable area for winter wheat and for winter wheat-soybean double-cropping expand northward, while cotton suitability migrates to new, more northerly, locations. Suitability for forest intensifies in the south while yielding to crops in the north; grassland intensifies in the western Great Plains as crop suitability diminishes. To maintain current broad geographic patterns of land use, large changes in the thermal response of crops such as corn would be required. A transition from corn-soybean to winter wheat-soybean doubling cropping is an alternative adaptation.

Characteristics of soil profiles from the Ouémé Upper Catchment (HVO), Térou, Benin

Soil degradation threatens agricultural production and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the coming decades, soil degradation, in particular soil erosion, will become worse through the expansion of agriculture into savannah and forest and changes in climate. This study aims to improve the understanding of how land use and climate change affect the hydrological cycle and soil erosion rates at the catchment scale. We used the semi-distributed, time-continuous erosion model SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) to quantify runoff processes and sheet and rill erosion in the Upper Ouémé River catchment (14500 km**2, Central Benin) for the period 1998-2005. We could then evaluate a range of land use and climate change scenarios with the SWAT model for the period 2001-2050 using spatial data from the land use model CLUE-S and the regional climate model REMO. Field investigations were performed to parameterise a soil map, to measure suspended sediment concentrations for model calibration and validation and to characterise erosion forms, degraded agricultural fields and soil conservation practices. Modelling results reveal current "hotspots" of soil erosion in the north-western, eastern and north-eastern parts of the Upper Ouémé catchment. As a consequence of rapid expansion of agricultural areas triggered by high population growth (partially caused by migration) and resulting increases in surface runoff and topsoil erosion, the mean sediment yield in the Upper Ouémé River outlet is expected to increase by 42 to 95% by 2025, depending on the land use scenario. In contrast, changes in climate variables led to decreases in sediment yield of 5 to 14% in 2001-2025 and 17 to 24% in 2026-2050. Combined scenarios showed the dominance of land use change leading to changes in mean sediment yield of -2 to +31% in 2001-2025. Scenario results vary considerably within the catchment. Current "hotspots" of soil erosion will aggravate, and a new "hotspot" will appear in the southern part of the catchment. Although only small parts of the Upper Ouémé catchment belong to the most degraded zones in the country, sustainable soil and plant management practices should be promoted in the entire catchment. The results of this study can support planning of soil conservation activities in Benin.

Effects of basic tillage methods and soil compaction on corn production /

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