Article
Soil Science
Jordon Wade, Chongyang Li, Mirjam M. Pulleman, Grace Trankina, Skye A. Wills, Andrew J. Margenot
Summary: The study found that using a fixed soil organic carbon (SOC) mass can lead to more consistent reduction of permanganate, but also results in a wider range of POXC values across different soils. While using a fixed SOC mass may improve the consistency of results, it can also decrease the repeatability compared to using a fixed soil mass.
Article
Forestry
Xiaoni Wu, Denggao Fu, Changqun Duan, Gongning Huang, Huaye Shang
Summary: Vegetation type has a significant impact on soil organic carbon storage. This study investigated the changes in soil organic carbon fractions and their driving factors for different vegetation restoration types. The results showed that the concentrations of soil organic carbon fractions were strongly influenced by vegetation types and soil depths. Soil biochemical and physicochemical processes were identified as important mechanisms contributing to soil organic carbon persistence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Toby Una, Juan Hernandez, Anna Beebe, Sally Brown
Summary: This study measured the impacts of residuals-based soil amendments on soil health and vegetable yield for three urban soils. Results showed that amendment addition increased total C and N, reduced bulk density, and increased infiltration rates. Plant yield was similar to or less than fertilized controls for two soils. However, the greenhouse trial showed that all amendments resulted in increased yield in the most disturbed soil. The study demonstrates the efficacy of residuals-based amendments for restoring health and productivity to disturbed urban soils.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Thilde Bech Bruun, Casey M. Ryan, Andreas de Neergaard, Nicholas J. Berry
Summary: The study found that intensification of shifting cultivation in northern Laos did not lead to a decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Instead, the SOC stock under fallows in the intensive rotation category was significantly larger than under the extensive rotation category, likely due to inputs of dead root biomass from slashed vegetation. Additionally, fallow sites under intensive rotation had higher contents of permanganate oxidizable carbon (PDXC) in the topsoil compared to active fields, indicating the immediate effects of decreased litter input during cultivation periods.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Santosh Reddy Kommidi, Pavan Akula, Yong-Rak Kim, Dallas N. Little, John Rushing
Summary: This paper discusses a simple and reliable test method for investigating the behavior of stabilized soils under cyclic loading. The method involves subjecting cylindrical specimens to oscillatory torsional loading and examining four parameters: peak shear stress amplitude, dynamic shear modulus, phase angle, and dissipated strain energy. The results show good repeatability and a high sensitivity to stabilizing agents and curing conditions. The method also identifies critical strain amplitudes that indicate nonlinear behavior and specimen failure.
TRANSPORTATION GEOTECHNICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose A. Siles, Marta Diaz-Lopez, Alfonso Vera, Nico Eisenhauer, Carlos A. Guerra, Linnea C. Smith, Francois Buscot, Thomas Reitz, Claudia Breitkreuz, Johan van den Hoogen, Thomas W. Crowther, Alberto Orgiazzi, Yakov Kuzyakov, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Felipe Bastida
Summary: Land use is a critical factor in soil carbon cycling and content changes. The priming effect, which refers to CO2 emissions resulting from the decomposition of fresh carbon inputs, is unpredictable but important in nutrient mobilization. This study, conducted across 22 European countries, revealed that priming effects were generally negative in both seminatural and cropland soils. The magnitude of priming effects was influenced by land use, with seminatural ecosystems showing higher levels compared to croplands. Additionally, the type of crop did not significantly impact the priming effects.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hao He, Mengwen Peng, Weidan Lu, Sibo Ru, Zhenan Hou, Junhua Li
Summary: Organic fertilizer substitution technology effectively mitigates the adverse effects of excessive synthetic fertilizer application and promotes soil organic carbon sequestration. This study showed that organic fertilizer substitution increased soil organic carbon content and improved soil quality. The findings provide guidance for sustainable agricultural practices.
Article
Soil Science
Amanda Weidhuner, Anastacia Hanauer, Ronald Krausz, Stephen J. Crittenden, Karla Gage, Amir Sadeghpour
Summary: The study found that no tillage can improve soil structure and increase soil carbon, but alternating between no-till and deep-tillage may affect soil aggregation and carbon accumulation. Periodic deep-tillage can be as detrimental to soil structure as yearly reduced tillage, if not more.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ling Cai, Hongyu Liu, John D. Minna, Ralph J. DeBerardinis, Guanghua Xiao, Yang Xie
Summary: This study compiled multiple datasets, derived direct and indirect measures of consistency, and developed a web application FDCE for users to evaluate the consistency of functional data.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fanrong Meng, Xiaomei Yang, Michel Riksen, Violette Geissen
Summary: This study found that biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs) had a stronger impact on the dynamics of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, posing potential threats to agroecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yuanhu Shao, Zuyan Wang, Tao Liu, Paul Kardol, Chengen Ma, Yonghong Hu, Yang Cui, Cancan Zhao, Weixin Zhang, Dali Guo, Shenglei Fu
Summary: In this study, nematode diversity in forest soils was found to be mainly influenced by soil organic carbon content, but climatic factors such as temperature, soil phosphorus content, soil pH, and precipitation also played significant roles. Furthermore, there were differences in nematode diversity between different climatic zones. Therefore, high-resolution studies are necessary to accurately predict the response of soil functions when climate conditions exceed the coping range of soil organisms.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Naoki Moritsuka, Kaori Matsuoka, Keisuke Katsura, Shuji Sano, Junta Yanai
Summary: Measuring volume magnetic susceptibility (kappa) of soil allows rapid soil assessment. This study measured the kappa value of agricultural surface soils in Japan at national and farm scales, revealing the scale-dependent relationship between soil kappa and other soil properties.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arvind Kumar Shukla, Sanjib Kumar Behera, Chandra Prakash, Ashok Kumar Patra, Ch Srinivasa Rao, Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Soumitra Das, Anil Kumar Singh, Andrew Green
Summary: The study evaluates the deficiencies of sulfur and micronutrients in agricultural soils in India, finding varied and widespread deficiencies of sulfur, zinc, and boron. This information can be used for improved fertilizer management to enhance crop production, nutrition quality, nutrient use efficiency, and soil health, ultimately addressing malnutrition in human and animal populations.
Article
Soil Science
Tvisha Martin, Christine D. Sprunger
Summary: Soil aggregates play a crucial role in soil carbon sequestration and provide a habitat for microorganisms, including nematodes. Yet, little is known about the interactions between nematode community composition and soil carbon cycling across different aggregate fractions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of soil type and tillage intensity on nematode community distribution and their relationship with labile carbon pools. The results showed that soil type influenced the distribution of nematode feeding groups across different aggregate fractions, while tillage intensity had no significant effect. The correlation analyses revealed that predator-omnivore nematodes and permanganate oxidizable carbon were positively correlated in clay soils but not in silt loam soils. These findings highlight the importance of predator-prey dynamics and soil type in soil carbon accumulation and cycling.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jin Hu, Zelin Huang, Song Li, Bin Liu, En Ci
Summary: This study selected 41 pedons from weathered clastic sedimentary rocks to evaluate the uniformity of parent material and soil profiles. The results can be helpful in distinguishing argillic horizons and identifying differences among different soil profiles in quantitative soil classification. Various analyses, such as Ti/Zr ratio, particle size distribution, morphological characteristics, physical and chemical properties, and geochemical element characteristics, were conducted to quantitatively assess the uniformity of parent material and soil profiles. The coefficient of variation (CV) of soil properties was used as an input variable for the random forest model to assess soil profile uniformity. The results showed that the parent materials exhibited uniformity in terms of geochemical elements, but there were discontinuities in particle size caused by different surface erosion forces. In addition, color differences and sudden changes in generalizable horizon development indices were observed in some profiles. The physical and chemical properties, as well as geochemical elements, varied greatly due to complex sedimentary rocks and different terrain conditions, resulting in inhomogeneous soil profiles. Pedogenesis, slope deposit, and soil forming processes played a role in achieving soil profile uniformity. The random forest model showed that the CV of clay-free particle size distribution was the best input variable, and the CVs of Al, Si/Al ratio, clay, total phosphorus, and Na were convenient input variables for assessing soil profile uniformity.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Eric Owusu Danquah, Felix Frimpong, Stephen Yeboah, Erasmus Narteh Tetteh, Cholani Weebadde, Stella Ama Ennin, Kennedy Agyeman, Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah, Edwin Korbla Akley, Princess Hayford, Sieglinde Snapp
Summary: This study evaluated the resource use and productivity of pigeonpea-yam cropping systems in Ghana and found that the system can increase yam productivity, improve soil moisture and nutrient levels, and reduce erosion and weed growth. The findings highlight the importance of promoting and adopting this cropping system to sustain soil fertility and address challenges in yam production.
ANNALS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anna M. Visscher, Steven Vanek, Katherin Meza, Camilla Wellstein, Stefan Zerbe, Raul Ccanto, Edgar Olivera, Jhon Huaraca, Maria Scurrah, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Trees have significant impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The addition of trees in Andean agroecosystems can greatly enhance carbon storage and soil macrofauna diversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Patrick M. Ewing, Xinyi Tu, Bryan C. Runck, Alison Nord, Regis Chikowo, Sieglinde S. Snapp
Summary: Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is crucial for climate change mitigation and improving ecosystem resilience. However, global estimates of SOC sequestration potential often neglect agricultural land, particularly in the Global South. To address these gaps, we developed a hybrid approach using high-resolution soil maps and site-specific soil data to estimate the magnitude of SOC sequestration potential in Malawian agricultural soils. The results showed that field measurements consistently exceeded predictions, indicating a significant carbon gap and the need for improved management practices.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kyle M. Dittmer, Sabrina Rose, Sieglinde S. Snapp, Yodit Kebede, Sarah Brickman, Sadie Shelton, Cecelia Egler, Milena Stier, Eva Wollenberg
Summary: We assessed the outcomes of smallholder agricultural systems and practices in low- and middle-income countries, and found that the use of organic nutrient sources, system diversification with legumes, and integrated pest management contribute to climate change adaptation in multiple contexts. However, information on climate change mitigation is lacking. Widespread adoption of agroecological practices and system transformations show promise for climate change services and food security in these countries.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sieglinde S. Snapp, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Ann Bybee-Finley, Regis Chikowo, Laifolo Dakishoni, Philip Grabowski, Esther Lupafya, Wezi Mhango, Vicki L. Morrone, Lizzie Shumba, George Kanyama-Phiri
Summary: New approaches, such as Participatory Action Research (PAR), are necessary for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PAR involves scientists and stakeholders in a systematic engagement process, expanding on the scientific process. In this study, two decades of PAR in rural communities in Malawi are examined to demonstrate iterative co-learning cycles. The findings highlight the importance of agricultural diversity beyond agroforestry, the value of intermediate growth habits, and the role of PAR in meeting local needs and addressing SDGs.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Michael P. Ricketts, Robert W. Heckman, Philip A. Fay, Roser Matamala, Julie D. Jastrow, Felix B. Fritschi, Jason Bonnette, Thomas E. Juenger
Summary: Switchgrass, a genetically diverse species with phenotypic plasticity, can grow in various environments. The response of switchgrass cultivars to different environmental drivers remains unclear but is crucial for understanding their response to climate change.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Megan J. Kelly-Slatten, Catherine E. Stewart, Malak M. Tfaily, Julie D. Jastrow, Abigail Sasso, Marie-Anne de Graaff
Summary: Recent studies have shown that switchgrass and big bluestem, two types of perennial bioenergy crops, can accumulate significant amounts of soil carbon due to their extensive root systems. The variability in plant traits, both within and between species, plays a role in this soil carbon accumulation, but the specific mechanisms behind this variability are still unclear. This study evaluated the root traits of different cultivars from switchgrass and big bluestem, and how they affected soil carbon accumulation. The findings suggest that both the root system and chemistry of the plants contribute to soil carbon gains, and species and cultivar selection can improve bioenergy management to lower CO2 emissions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Scott L. Painter, Ethan T. Coon, Ahmad Jan Khattak, Julie D. Jastrow
Summary: We used a soil ice content model to study the potential risk of abrupt permafrost thaw triggered by melting ground ice in a warming Arctic. Simulations of a specific site in Alaska showed subsidence of 63 cm from 2006 to 2100 in a strong-warming climate scenario. The increase in active layer thickness due to permafrost thaw was accelerated by subsidence, but the effect was relatively small.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Joao Vasco Silva, Moti Jaleta, Kindie Tesfaye, Bekele Abeyo, Mina Devkota, Aymen Frija, Innocent Habarurema, Batiseba Tembo, Haithem Bahri, Alaa Mosad, Gerald Blasch, Kai Sonder, Sieglinde Snapp, Frederic Baudron
Summary: The growing urban population and changes in dietary habits have led to a 9% annual increase in wheat imports in Africa. Despite an increase in wheat production in the continent over the past decades, it has not kept up with the rising demand. Analysis shows that Africa has the opportunity to enhance wheat production through improved genetics and agronomic practices, reducing import dependency and achieving self-sufficiency. Given the uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, and global security issues, African countries should reconsider the importance of achieving self-sufficiency in staple food production, specifically wheat.
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY-AGRICULTURE POLICY ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Soil Science
Rajan Ghimire, Vesh R. Thapa, Veronica Acosta-Martinez, Meagan Schipanski, Lindsey C. Slaughter, Steven J. Fonte, Manoj K. Shukla, Prakriti Bista, Sangamesh V. Angadi, Maysoon M. Mikha, Olufemi Adebayo, Tess Noble Strohm
Summary: Healthy soils are crucial for sustainable agriculture, but degradation of soil health is a significant challenge in water-limited environments. Soil in arid and semi-arid regions often has low organic matter, fertility, and productivity, making it difficult to build up organic matter. Existing soil health assessment frameworks are not suitable for these environments and a new framework that links soil health with ecosystem functions is needed. The study also discusses management strategies, such as tillage and residue management, organic amendments, and cropping system diversification, for improving soil health in water-limited regions.
Article
Agronomy
Paulina B. Ramirez, Francisco J. Calderon, Merle F. Vigil, Kyle R. Mankin, David Poss, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the fine-spatial variation of soil properties and their impact on wheat productivity. The results showed that soil nutrients, texture, and subtle topographic changes were critical factors affecting wheat yield. Total carbon (TC) can serve as a reliable proxy for delineating management zones, but developing these zones relying solely on soil information is not straightforward in these soils.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sieglinde Snapp, Tek Bahadur Sapkota, Jordan Chamberlin, Cindy Marie Cox, Samuel Gameda, Mangi Lal Jat, Paswel Marenya, Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb, Christine Negra, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Tesfaye Shiferaw Sida, Upendra Singh, Zachary P. Stewart, Kindie Tesfaye, Bram Govaerts
Summary: Fertilizer supply is crucial for global food security, but it is vulnerable to international disruptions. To address nitrogen fertilizer price spikes and threats to food security, differentiated responses are needed, including integrated management of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. This can lead to potential fertilizer savings and improved nutrient utilization in both high-input and low-input cereal production systems.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Carl J. J. Timler, Jeroen C. J. Groot, Sieglinde S. S. Snapp, Pablo A. A. Tittonell
Summary: Smallholder farmers in Central Malawi face various challenges in improving their livelihoods and food security. Q Methodology was used to identify different strategies and intensification pathways among these farmers. Three main strategies emerged: Seed Saving Peasants, Aspirant Modern Farmers, and Entrepreneurial Business(wo)men, each following different intensification pathways. This study highlights the need for diverse extension services and support mechanisms to guide smallholders towards sustainable intensification choices.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jennifer Blesh, Zia Mehrabi, Hannah Wittman, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Dana James, Sidney Madsen, Olivia M. Smith, Sieglinde Snapp, Anne Elise Stratton, Mohamed Bakarr, Abram J. Bicksler, Ryan Galt, Lucas A. Garibaldi, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Ingo Grass, Marney E. Isaac, Innocensia John, Sarah K. Jones, Christina M. Kennedy, Susanna Klassen, Christian Levers, Laura Vang Rasmussen, Claire Kremen
Summary: Farming systems that support biodiversity and diversified agricultural production are declining due to agricultural policies and market concentration. However, a conceptual framework has been developed to identify processes that promote the emergence and sustainability of diversified farming systems. Through analyzing real-world examples, two pathways, namely network and institutional, have been identified as contributing to diversification. When these pathways operate together, the potential to scale up diversification across farms and landscapes increases.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannah Waterhouse, Felipe Aburto, Gordon Rees, Deirdre E. Griffin-LaHue, Wilson B. Salls, Devin A. Rippner, Zhiyuan Tian, Kate Scow, Anthony T. O'Geen
Summary: Rangelands have the potential to provide various ecosystem services, but the contribution of different vegetation types to these services can vary. This study found that scrubland significantly differs from other vegetation types, with higher water infiltration and plant available water, carbon stocks, and a more diverse microbial community. Maintaining scrubland on unproductive slopes can help maintain forage production, protect water quality, and increase carbon storage. Evaluating rangeland operations and managing different vegetation types is important in assessing soil function and ecosystem services.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)