Article
Environmental Sciences
Huanhuan Zeng, Junen Wu, Xiai Zhu, Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Chunfeng Chen, Wenjie Liu
Summary: Conversion of tropical rainforest to rubber monoculture leads to soil degradation, but shifting to a jungle rubber mixture can significantly increase soil nutrients and improve soil physical properties.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Binghui Bao, Mengyuan Chang, Songheng Jin, Xueqin Li, Hongtao Xie
Summary: This study examined the variation in soil nutrients and ecological stoichiometry in coastal shelterbelt forests of eastern China in response to periodic flooding. The results showed that flooding significantly decreased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents, with minimal changes in soil potassium content. The flooding also affected the ratios between these nutrients. Principal component analysis revealed the effects of flooding on soil nutrient availability, with a decrease in explained variance. The insights gained from this study can contribute to the restoration of soil quality in flooded coastal shelterbelt forests.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Panos Panagos, Cristiano Ballabio, Mihaly Himics, Simone Scarpa, Francis Matthews, Mariia Bogonos, Jean Poesen, Pasquale Borrelli
Summary: Future soil erosion rates are projected to increase in the agricultural areas of the EU and UK due to expected changes in climatic conditions and land use patterns. While land use change may lead to a decrease in soil erosion rates, the projected increase in future rainfall erosivity will require targeted intervention measures to address soil erosion effectively. Agro-environmental policies, specifically those outlined in the EU Common Agricultural Policy, are proposed as the most effective mechanisms to mitigate the impact of climate change on soil losses.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bakhtiar Feizizadeh, Tobia Lakes, Davoud Omarzadeh, Ayyoob Sharifi, Thomas Blaschke, Sadra Karimzadeh
Summary: Lake drying is a significant issue caused by water management failures and exacerbated by climate change. The drying up of Lake Urmia in Iran has dire consequences for the region, affecting food production and potentially leading to unknown impacts. Through studying changes in climatic conditions, land use, and land degradation, it has been found that the drought has significantly reduced food production in the past three decades and is projected to further decrease in the future. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental impacts and supporting food production in regions with dying lakes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Abindaw, Emmanuel Hanyabui, Kofi Atiah, Edward Ampofo Akwasi, Imoro Abukari Ziblim
Summary: Efforts are being made globally to identify land use types that can improve carbon sequestration and ensure sustainable agriculture. A study conducted at the University of Cape Coast Teaching and Research Farm examined the influence of different land use types on soil properties. The results showed that the plantation field had the highest organic carbon content and could be adopted as a better carbon store for mitigating climate change.
Article
Soil Science
Thorsten Reinsch, Inger Julia Anna Struck, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluss, Friedhelm Taube
Summary: Converting grassland to arable cropping can lead to decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, impacting soil and climate protection goals. However, using direct drilling in forage production systems like silage maize can prevent SOC stock degradation without reducing herbage yield. Long-term practices, such as a three-year grass phase followed by three years of silage maize, can help maintain SOC stocks.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Venkatesh Paramesh, Parveen Kumar, Rosa Francaviglia, Gaurav Mishra, Vadivel Arunachalam, Sulekha Toraskar, Arun Jyoti Nath
Summary: The study investigates the impact of land-use change on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in coastal agroecosystems. Using the RothC model, the study simulates the changes in SOC stock under different climate change scenarios. The results show that cashew plantations are the most significant SOC sink, while coconut and pasture lands are not viable sinks in the study area. Promoting cashew, arecanut, and coconut land use systems integrated with tree components and pasture is suggested to improve SOC storage and other ecosystem services in the coastal agroecosystem.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Adriano Vinca, Simon Parkinson, Keywan Riahi, Edward Byers, Afreen Siddiqi, Abubakr Muhammad, Ansir Ilyas, Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran, Barbara Willaarts, Piotr Magnuszewski, Muhammad Awais, Andrew Rowe, Ned Djilali
Summary: The study highlights the water stress and energy insecurity in the Indus river basin in South Asia, emphasizing the importance of transboundary cooperation for more cost-effective and environmentally friendly development. By collaborating on water resources, electricity, and food production, the countries in the region could lower costs, reduce soil pollution, and mitigate water scarcity issues.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Atenas Navarrete, Felipe Aburto, Gerardo Gonzalez-Rocha, Carolina Merino Guzman, Radomir Schmidt, Kate Scow
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on soil microbial communities in Andean temperate forests. The results showed that deforestation had a significant effect on the soil microbial community, leading to major shifts in plant and microbial communities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fabio de Oliveira Roque, Angelica Guerra, Matthew Johnson, Carlos Padovani, Juliano Corbi, Alan P. Covich, Donald Eaton, Walfrido Moraes Tomas, Francisco Valente-Neto, Ana Claudia Piovezan Borges, Alexandra Pinho, Alexeia Barufatii, Bruno do Amaral Crispim, Rafael Dettogni Guariento, Maria Helena da Silva Andrade, Ary Tavares Rezende-Filho, Rodolfo Portela, Marcia Divina, Julio Cesar Sampaio da Silva, Cassio Bernadino, E. Erica Fernanda Goncalves Gomes de Sa, Pedro Cordeiro-Estrela, Arnaud Desbiez, Isabel M. D. Rosa, Lisa Yon
Summary: A study estimated the pesticide load in the Pantanal and surrounding highlands region for 2050 under different scenarios, predicting varying levels of pesticide usage depending on the scenario. Higher pesticide usage is expected in subbasins with greater agricultural areas within major hydrographic basins.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Song, Chao Fang, Rattan Lal, Zi-Qiang Yuan, Wen-Bin Ke, Fu-Qiang Huang, Yong-Xian Wei, Feng-Min Li, Jordi Sardans, Josep Penuelas
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effects of legume pasture species on aboveground biomass and soil properties under different topographies through a 16-year in situ experiment. The results indicated that alfalfa is recommended for northeast-facing landscapes, alfalfa and fallow are recommended for southeast-facing landscapes, and sweet clover is recommended for horizontal landscapes to improve soil nutrient concentrations. These findings are important for the conservation of ecosystems and sustainable land use.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Helen C. S. Amorim, Luis C. C. Hurtarte, Ivan F. Souza, Yuri L. Zinn
Summary: C:N ratios are widely used as indicators for the chemical composition and quality of soil organic matter, but their response to environmental factors is still poorly understood. This study collected data from 74 studies conducted between 1980 and 2019, covering a wide range of environmental settings, and found that soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents were mainly controlled by macroscale climatic drivers, while soil C:N ratios were more responsive to microscale factors such as soil particle-size distribution.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Mng'ong'o, Linus K. Munishi, William Blake, Sean Comber, Thomas H. Hutchinson, Patrick A. Ndakidemi
Summary: Soil fertility plays a crucial role in determining crop growth and productivity, with micronutrient deficiencies identified in most soils of the Usangu agroecosystem. The study highlights the need to address soil fertility issues through the addition of supplemental materials to enhance crop growth and productivity.
Article
Soil Science
Aldair de Souza Medeiros, Thiago Candido dos Santos, Stoecio Malta Ferreira Maia
Summary: Converting native vegetation to conventional tillage in Brazil leads to a progressive reduction in soil organic carbon, particularly in arid regions and the Atlantic Forest. The extent of this impact varies among different biomes, and the decline in soil organic carbon does not stabilize within a specific time frame.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eleonora Grilli, Silvia C. P. Carvalho, Tommaso Chiti, Elio Coppola, Rosaria D'Ascoli, Tommaso La Mantia, Rossana Marzaioli, Micol Mastrocicco, Fernando Pulido, Flora Angela Rutigliano, Paola Quatrini, Simona Castaldi
Summary: Soil quality is crucial for ecosystem functionality, especially in Mediterranean regions facing the risk of desertification. This study highlights the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) in maintaining key soil functions and ecosystem services, stressing the need for immediate management plans to prevent complete land degradation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Narendra Nelli, Diana Francis, Ricardo Fonseca, Olivier Masson, Mamadou Sow, Emmanuel Bosc
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the atmospheric electric field (Ez) during foggy conditions in the hyperarid region of the United Arab Emirates. The results show that as fog persists, Ez becomes more variable due to the absorption and redistribution of charges by the fog, which alters the ion balance and affects electrical conductivity in the atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Ezra Hadad, Amir Balaban, Jakub Z. Kosicki, Reuven Yosef
Summary: This study investigated whether the prey of striped hyenas has adapted to the change in the natural environment caused by human activities, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN). The results showed that ALAN had no impact on the diet or den distribution of the hyenas in central Israel. The study also found that domestic animals were the most common prey, and there were also some vegetative species in their diet. Overall, the feeding behavior of striped hyenas is influenced by geographical region, habitat, and human activities.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Rahim Najafi Tireh Shabankareh, Pardis Ziaee, Mohammad Javad Abedini
Summary: This study evaluated the IMERG satellite-based precipitation product in the Fars province of Iran using daily rain gauges as reference data. The results showed that the product tends to overestimate light rainfall and underestimate heavy rainfall, with the best performance in the 40-80 mm/day range. The accuracy of the product varies by month and is less biased in months with milder temperatures. Additionally, there was a higher correlation in mid-elevated areas, positive bias in low-elevated areas, and negative bias in high-elevated areas. Longer time scales showed considerable improvement in the IMERG estimates.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)