4.7 Article

Heuristic cellular automaton model for simulating soil organic carbon under land use and climate change: A case study in eastern China

Journal

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
Volume 269, Issue -, Pages 156-166

Publisher

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2018.09.034

Keywords

Soil carbon sequestration; Spatial prediction; Urbanization; Artificial neural network; Carbon migration

Funding

  1. National Key Research and Development Program of China [2017YFA0603002]
  2. National Natural Science Foundation of China [41571130051, 41771251, 41571212, 41501228]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

The concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the most important soil properties, and its spatio-temporal variability greatly affects the global climate and agroecology. To investigate the effects of land use and climate change on SOC, a heuristic cellular automaton (HCA) model was proposed and applied to a plains area in eastern China with a high population density and rapid urbanization rate. The HCA model was designed to simulate the geographical variation in SOC dynamics over the long term (2080), and lateral carbon (C) migration is represented by revised neighbourhood variables at the macro scale. Three widely used soil mapping techniques were applied for comparison: multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM) and kriging with external drift (KED). The HCA model enhanced the accuracy of the predicted SOC by 15.27% over MLR, 12.31% over SVM and 10.98% over KED. Future land use maps were produced using legacy land use data and artificial neural network-based cellular automata (CA), and the simulation results showed the rapid urbanization of this area, where the percentage of cropland declined by 23.75% and that of village/urban areas increased by 22.90% from 2010 to 2080. The overall SOC concentrations are anticipated to increase by 2080 given the rising mean annual air temperature and mean annual precipitation. Our results also suggested that land use change clearly influenced the change in soil C, with village/urban areas exhibiting higher SOC than cropland. To provide stakeholders with accurate soil information, it is important to understand the comprehensive impacts of land use and climate change on soil evolution; this study illustrates the value of integrating pedogenetic information in soil C simulation models.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Mapping high resolution National Soil Information Grids of China

Feng Liu, Huayong Wu, Yuguo Zhao, Decheng Li, Jin-Ling Yang, Xiaodong Song, Zhou Shi, A-Xing Zhu, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: Traditionally, soil spatial information has been presented as coarse polygon maps. However, solving global and local issues requires higher quality and more detailed soil information. In this study, we integrated predictive soil mapping paradigms and high-performance computing to generate high-resolution national gridded maps of nine soil properties at multiple depths across China. The predictions achieved significantly more detailed and accurate results compared to previous soil maps, making it a significant contribution to the GlobalSoilMap.net project.

SCIENCE BULLETIN (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Copper migration and isotope fractionation in a typical paddy soil profile of the Yangtze Delta

Rui-Rui Wang, Hui-Min Yu, Wen-Han Cheng, Yu-Chen Liu, Gan-Lin Zhang, De-Cheng Li, Fang Huang

Summary: This study investigated the migration of copper in paddy soils and explored the coupling relationship between copper concentrations and isotope compositions in different layers. The results showed that the variations in delta Cu-65 values and Cu concentrations were not coupled along the profile, which could be attributed to various physicochemical conditions in different layers. This study provides valuable insights into understanding the copper migration in paddy soils.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Soil acidification and loss of base cations in a subtropical agricultural watershed

Yue Dong, Jin-Ling Yang, Xiao-Rui Zhao, Shun-Hua Yang, Jan Mulder, Peter Dorsch, Xin-Hua Peng, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: Soil acidification and base cation loss are significant problems in the subtropical red soil region of China, particularly in agroecosystems with high nitrogen fertilization. This study assessed the current status and future risk of soil acidification in a typical agricultural watershed using a two-year monitoring approach. The results showed that while significant soil acidification occurred, surface water acidification was minor, indicating the buffer capacity of the soils. However, there was a substantial loss of base cations, depleting the exchangeable pool in the watershed and posing a serious threat to soil recovery from acidification.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Seasonal dynamics of soil pH and N transformation as affected by N fertilization in subtropical China: An in situ 15N labeling study

Yue Dong, Jin-Ling Yang, Xiao-Rui Zhao, Shun-Hua Yang, Jan Mulder, Peter Dorsch, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: Nitrogen fertilization affects soil pH and nitrogen transformations, resulting in soil acidification during the growing season and pH recovery during the fallow period. The effect of parent material on soil acidification is minimal, with fertilization, environmental factors, and plant uptake playing a dominant role.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Article Geography, Physical

Geophysical and geochemical characterization reveals topography controls on critical zone structure in a low hilly region

Huayong Wu, Xiaodong Song, Feng Liu, Decheng Li, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: This study focuses on the effect of topography on the structure of the critical zone in a low hilly region. Seismic refraction and borehole surveys were conducted to examine the thickness of the regolith and the underlying bedrock. The results show that topography controls the distribution of different layers and the overall structure of the critical zone.

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS (2022)

Article Engineering, Civil

Quantification of the effect of loess admixture on soil hydrological properties in sandy slope deposits

Fei Yang, David G. Rossiter, Yue He, Volker Karius, Gan-Lin Zhang, Daniela Sauer

Summary: Loess content has significant effects on soil hydrological properties in coarse-textured soils, especially in subsoils with low SOC contents. However, for coarse-textured topsoils, SOC content plays a dominant role in affecting soil hydrological properties.

JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY (2022)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Iron loss of paddy soil in China and its environmental implications

Liumei Chen, Dongbo Zhao, Guangzhong Han, Fei Yang, Zitong Gong, Xiaodong Song, Decheng Li, Ganlin Zhang

Summary: Iron (Fe) loss from paddy soils during rice cultivation is influenced by soil properties, history of rice cultivation, and artificial irrigation and drainage. This loss has an impact on soil dynamics and the biogeochemical cycle of iron.

SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES (2022)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Predicting soil depth in a large and complex area using machine learning and environmental correlations

Feng Liu, Fei Yang, Yu-guo Zhao, Gan-lin Zhang, De-cheng Li

Summary: This study used an ensemble machine learning model, quantile regression forest, to predict soil depth in the Heihe River basin of northwestern China. The model, combined with environmental covariates, accurately predicted the spatial variation of soil depth and estimated the associated predictive uncertainty. The resulting soil depth map revealed regional and local patterns.

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE (2022)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Vertical distribution and influencing factors of deep soil organic carbon in a typical subtropical agricultural watershed

Shunhua Yang, Yue Dong, Xiaodong Song, Huayong Wu, Xiaorui Zhao, Jinling Yang, Songchao Chen, Jo Smith, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: Soil organic carbon is crucial for soil health and combating global warming. This study explores its distribution and controlling factors in the entire regolith. The results show that there is a large carbon reservoir in the deep regolith, and land use strongly affects carbon distribution in the top 100 cm of soil layers but has little effect on deep soil organic carbon. Soil texture is the primary controlling factor for organic carbon content.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Article Environmental Sciences

Soil organic carbon content increase in the east and south of China is accompanied by soil acidification

Xiao-Lin Sun, Budiman Minasny, Yun-Jin Wu, Hui-Li Wang, Xiao-Hui Fan, Gan -Lin Zhang

Summary: The increase in soil organic carbon (OC) in China over the past two decades suggests that atmospheric carbon dioxide is being sequestered into the soil, mitigating climate change and improving soil health. However, there have also been reports of soil pH decrease nationwide, which may negatively impact soil quality for food production and the environment. This study investigates the relationship between soil OC and pH using large-scale soil survey data from two provinces in China and finds that the changes in OC and pH are significantly correlated, with increased soil nitrogen content as the linking factor. The decrease in pH is particularly significant in the eastern region of China, where soils are more neutral in pH. The study recommends exploring alternative methods of carbon sequestration in soil to avoid potential acidification effects caused by excessive nitrogen application.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2023)

Article Soil Science

Differential soil acidification caused by parent materials and land-use changes in the Pearl River Delta region

Hui-Ying Wen, Hua-Yong Wu, Yue Dong, Wen-Juan Feng, Ying Lu, Yue-Ming Hu, Gan-Lin Zhang

Summary: This study investigated soil acidification in the Pearl River Delta of China, focusing on the effects of land-use change and parent materials. Results showed that soils derived from granite exhibited higher acidity and lower pH buffering capacity compared to those derived from alluvial sediment. Significant soil acidification was observed under land-use change in vegetable lands and orchards, but not in paddy fields. The study suggests that soil acidification induced by land-use change is influenced by parent materials.

SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT (2023)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Warmth Favored Dust Activities on the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Yuye Feng, Hao Long, Fei Yang, Fan Yang, Hongyi Cheng, Ganlin Zhang

Summary: By studying a 2,800-year peat record from the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the researchers identified the aeolian origin of archived particles and found that dust input was enhanced during warming periods. They proposed that warming climate may have significant impact on moisture balance and wind strength, leading to more frequent dust activity in the future.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS (2023)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Most root-derived carbon inputs do not contribute to long-term global soil carbon storage

Guocheng Wang, Liujun Xiao, Ziqi Lin, Qing Zhang, Xiaowei Guo, Annette Cowie, Shuai Zhang, Mingming Wang, Songchao Chen, Ganlin Zhang, Zhou Shi, Wenjuan Sun, Zhongkui Luo

Summary: Plant root-derived carbon inputs are the main source of carbon in mineral bulk soil, but a fraction of these inputs may be quickly lost without contributing to long-term soil carbon storage. This study quantified the loss of root-derived carbon on a global scale and found that about 80% of the carbon inputs are lost rather than stored in the soil. The depth distribution of root-derived carbon inputs and their contribution to soil carbon storage were also determined, and a global map of the lost carbon and its distribution was created.

SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES (2023)

Article Environmental Sciences

Achieving Sustainable Earth Futures in the Anthropocene by Including Local Communities in Critical Zone Science

Larissa A. Naylor, Jennifer A. J. Dungait, Ying Zheng, Sarah Buckerfield, Sophie M. Green, David M. Oliver, Hongyan Liu, Jian Peng, Chenglong Tu, Gan-lin Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Tim A. Quine, Susan Waldron, Paul D. Hallett

Summary: This article introduces the development of Critical Zone Science (CZS) in human-modified and natural systems, and proposes a new framework that incorporates human behavior into CZS research for a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the terrestrial ecosystem. Through the China-UK CZO program, it was found that human-environment interactions and their impact on the socio-economic livelihoods of local farmers can be identified, and opportunities for improving local livelihoods and environmental conditions can be explored. The importance of co-designing CZS to address human-induced degradation in the critical zone is highlighted.

EARTHS FUTURE (2023)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Divergent responses of soil physicochemical properties in 6-m profiles to long-term overfertilization in rainfed apple orchards on China's Loess Plateau

Jiarui Zhao, Xiaohu Yuan, Zhanjun Liu, Haotian Shi, Bingnian Zhai, Yuanjun Zhu

Summary: Overfertilization is common in rainfed apple orchards on China's Loess Plateau, but its impacts on soil physicochemical properties in deep soil profiles are poorly understood. This study found that different land-use types showed divergent distribution patterns in soil properties, with low variability for SWC and pH, moderate variability for NH4+-N, AP, and AK, and high variability for SOC, NO3--N, and EC. The results also showed that fertilization influenced soil water content, NO3--N, AP, and AK, and NO3--N played a crucial role in regulating pH and EC. Soil profiles were useful for studying the evolution of soil quality.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Effects of legumes and fertiliser on nitrogen balance and nitrate leaching from intact leys and after tilling for subsequent crop

Daniel Nyfeler, Olivier Huguenin-Elie, Emmanuel Frossard, Andreas Luscher

Summary: Grass-legume mixtures combine high yields, low fertiliser requirements, and low nitrate leaching better than either pure grass or pure legume swards, both during the intact plant cover and after tilling for the subsequent crop.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Mediterranean vineyard soil seed bank characterization along a slope/ disturbance gradient: Opportunities for land sharing

Martin Faucher, Seraphine Grellier, Clemence Chaudron, Jean-Louis Janeau, Gabrielle Rudi, Fabrice Vinatier

Summary: The Mediterranean region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events and severe droughts due to climate change, leading to an increase in runoff and erosion rates in agrosystems. Vegetation cover can help reduce erosion and the soil seed bank can provide cost-effective vegetation. This study assessed the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss in vineyards and evaluated the differences in the soil seed bank along a transect. The results suggest that vegetation may not protect interrows from runoff-induced seed loss.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Two crops are better than one for nutritional and economic outcomes of Zambian smallholder farms, but require more labour

Christian Thierfelder, Blessing Mhlanga, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Kelvin Kalala, Esau Simutowe, Mazvita Chiduwa, Chloe Maclaren, Joao Vasco Silva, Hambulo Ngoma

Summary: The performance of different maize-legume diversification strategies was compared in southern Africa. Intercropping systems showed significant nutritional and economic benefits, but had higher labor requirements compared to other cropping systems. Soil organic carbon content and pH were not affected by the tested cropping systems.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Partitioning eddy covariance CO2 fluxes into ecosystem respiration and gross primary productivity through a new hybrid four sub-deep neural network

Han Chen, Han Li, Yizhao Wei, Edward Mcbean, Hong Liang, Weimin Wang, Jinhui Jeanne Huang

Summary: This research introduces a hybrid four-sub-deep neural network (HFSD) model for partitioning NEE into GPP and ER. The HFSD employs dual sub-deep neural networks to estimate ERa and ERb and incorporates GPP and environmental variables to predict vegetation transpiration. The results of the model show that the dual sub-DNNs architecture enhances the accuracy of ER simulations, while using EC-derived T as a constraint improves the accuracy of GPP simulations. Correlation analyses suggest that solar radiation and air temperature primarily influence the seasonal variations in GPP and ER, while soil moisture has a strong impact during dry seasons. This study advances the biophysical description of data-driven models for NEE partitioning and enhances the accuracy of GPP and ER estimates.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Pronounced turnover of vascular plant species in Central European arable fields over 90 years

Michael Glaser, Stefan Dullinger, Dietmar Moser, Johannes Wessely, Milan Chytry, Zdenka Lososova, Irena Axmanova, Christian Berg, Jana Buerger, Serge Buholzer, Fabrizio Buldrini, Alessandro Chiarucci, Swen Follak, Filip Kuezmic, Stefan Meyer, Petr Pysek, Nina Richner, Urban Silc, Siegrid Steinkellner, Alexander Wietzke, Franz Essl

Summary: This study investigated changes in vascular plant species in Central European arable fields and their edges from 1930 to 2019. The results showed a small decline in overall species occupancy, but a more pronounced species turnover. Species with environmental preferences for nutrient-rich sites with neutral pH increased in occupancy, while species typical for arable fields decreased. No response to climate change was observed, and there was a decrease in archaeophytes and native species and an increase in neophytes.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Shifting cultivation in decline: An analysis of soil fertility and weed pressure in intensified cropping systems in Eastern Amazon

Thomas Abrell, Krishna Naudin, Felix J. J. A. Bianchi, Debora Veiga Aragao, Pablo Tittonell, Marc Corbeels

Summary: This study demonstrates that reducing fallow periods in shifting cultivation systems in the Eastern Amazon region has negative effects on soil fertility and weed pressure, posing a threat to the sustainability and productivity of local farming systems.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Patterns and determinants of nitrification and denitrification potentials across 24 rice paddy soils in subtropical China

Jun Wang, Lu Lv, Ronggui Hu, Haiyang Ma, Bo Liu, Wenju Zhang, Lei Wu

Summary: Nitrification and denitrification are crucial for nitrogen losses in agricultural soils and are affected by soil properties. This study investigated the patterns and controlling factors of nitrification and denitrification potentials in paddy soils in major rice-producing areas of Hubei Province, China. The results showed that soil pH and SOC were the primary factors regulating nitrification and denitrification potentials, respectively.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Ecological and economic evaluation of conventional and new weed control techniques in row crops

Olga Fishkis, Jessica Weller, Jorn Lehmhus, Franz Pollinger, Jorn Strassemeyer, Heinz -Josef Koch

Summary: The Farm to Fork strategy of the European Union aims to reduce pesticide use and replace chemical measures with mechanical methods in weed control. However, there is currently no comprehensive evaluation of the ecological and economic parameters of mechanical methods. This study quantified these parameters for different weed control methods in sugar beet and found that no method can be considered fully environmentally friendly.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Advantages of using a carbon-rich substrate in a constructed wetland for agricultural water treatment: Carbon availability and biota development

Mercedes Guerrero-Brotons, Nuria Perujo, Anna M. Romani, Rosa Gomez

Summary: Proper bed substrate selection is crucial for the performance of constructed wetlands, especially when treating drainage water with high nitrogen and low carbon and phosphorus concentrations. In a field-scale pilot plant, adding a carbon-rich substrate such as soil or biochar increased phosphorus availability in beds. Beds with soil displayed higher microbial density and activity, as well as better plant growth compared to gravel. These findings highlight the importance of selecting suitable substrates for treating irrigated agricultural water.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Distribution of soil organic carbon between particulate and mineral-associated fractions as affected by biochar and its co-application with other amendments

Beatrice Giannetta, Cesar Plaza, Giorgio Galluzzi, Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Juan Carlos Garcia-Gil, Marco Panettieri, Gabriel Gasco, Claudio Zaccone

Summary: This study examines the long-term effects of biochar application on soil organic C protection and finds that biochar, especially when combined with other amendments, has the potential to increase the content of particulate organic C and mineral-associated organic C in soils. The presence of ferrihydrite may mediate the positive effects on mineral-associated organic matter.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Water and soil quality respond to no-tillage and cover crops differently through 10 years of implementation

Emily Rose Waring, Carl Pederson, Ainis Lagzdins, Chelsea Clifford, Matthew J. Helmers

Summary: Addressing the global problem of eutrophication requires better management of inorganic nitrogen in the agricultural landscape. This study compares the effects of different tillage practices and cover crops on soil and water quality. The results show that the conventional tillage system is more effective in improving water quality and maintaining crop yields compared to other tillage practices. Additionally, the study reveals that the impact of tillage practices and cover crop growth methods on water and soil quality changes over time.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Rates of soil organic carbon change in cultivated and afforested sandy soils

Annalisa Stevenson, Yakun Zhang, Jingyi Huang, Jie Hu, Keith Paustian, Alfred E. Hartemink

Summary: Considerable advances have been made in the assessment and mapping of soil organic carbon stocks. However, the rates of change in carbon stocks are influenced by various factors and need to be quantified. This study found that sandy soils under cultivation and forests have different organic carbon stocks. Factors such as tillage, irrigation, and nitrogen applications contribute to the decline in soil organic carbon stocks. Afforestation of abandoned cultivated fields can increase soil organic carbon, but it is still lower than soils under forest that have never been cultivated.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

High trophic level organisms and the complexity of soil micro-food webs at aggregate scale regulate carbon accumulation in cropland soils

Zhiyuan Yao, Chuanxiong Huang, Huiling Hu, Tao Wang, Yulong Li, Xiaoming Sune, Sina Adl, Bo Zhu

Summary: Enhancing soil organic carbon levels through improved fertilization strategies is important for soil health and sustainable crop production. This study found that the relative abundance of organisms from higher trophic levels and increased network complexity in the soil micro-food webs are vital contributors to effective SOC accumulation.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)

Article Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Belowground C sequestrations response to grazing exclusion in global grasslands: Dynamics and mechanisms

Qing Qu, Lei Deng, Zhouping Shangguan, Jian Sun, Jinsheng He, Kaibo Wang, Zhengchao Zhou, Jiwei Li, Josep Penuelas

Summary: Grazing exclusion is a widely implemented strategy for restoring degraded grassland ecosystems and increasing carbon stocks. This study analyzed data from 199 experiments to understand the temporal responses and factors influencing plant and soil carbon stocks following grazing exclusion in different grassland ecosystems. The results showed that plant biomass carbon stocks and soil organic carbon stocks decreased exponentially or rationally with years since enclosure. Grazing exclusion had positive effects on aboveground biomass carbon, but the effects on belowground biomass and soil carbon were influenced by climate, initial carbon levels, and grazing exclusion duration. The response of carbon stocks to grazing exclusion stabilized after approximately 40 years, with soil carbon sequestration showing a lagged pattern compared to plant biomass carbon. The study highlighted the effectiveness of grazing exclusion in regions with low carbon content and non-water limited conditions. However, it might not be an effective measure to increase soil organic carbon stocks in water-limited areas like desert grasslands.

AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT (2024)