Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vivien von Koenigsloew, Felix Fornoff, Alexandra-Maria Klein
Summary: The study examines the phenology of flowers and wild bees in orchards, showing that perennial flower strips and hedges complement each other in enhancing flower resources for wild bees. Perennial flower strips attract bees more constantly and provide higher bee diversity compared to hedges.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Antoine Gardarin
Summary: Plant taxonomic and functional diversity can enhance multitrophic interactions and ecosystem functioning, but the role of functional diversity in such interactions is still unclear. This study investigated the effects of plant species composition, nectar resources, and legume presence on the biological control of aphids in agroecosystems.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Rafael Alcala Herrera, Belen Cotes, Nuria Agusti, Marco Tasin, Mario Porcel
Summary: Habitat management by providing tailored flower strips can attract predators and parasitoids, increasing their abundance and reducing pest infestation on cabbage plants. Green lacewings primarily use flower strips for foraging, reproduction, and shelter, showing preferences for certain types of pollen.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Shu Li, Coline C. Jaworski, Severin Hatt, Fan Zhang, Nicolas Desneux, Su Wang
Summary: Flower strips around greenhouses can attract natural enemies inside, reducing pest abundance and insecticide use. Different flowering species have varying effects on pest and predator abundance, with some plants increasing predator numbers and decreasing pest numbers.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Zhengxuan Xue, Tianxiang Peng, Bing Liu, Yangtian Liu, Zhijian Zhang, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Peiling Wang, Yanhui Lu
Summary: Licorice strips enhance the abundance of generalist predators and improve biological pest control of aphids on cotton crops.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Jolanta Kowalska, Malgorzata Antkowiak, Pawel Sienkiewicz
Summary: Flower strips are increasingly used as part of agri-environmental programs to reduce pressure on agroecosystems and prevent the decline of species diversity. They have the potential to increase functional biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.
Article
Agronomy
Laura Sofie Harbo, Gesa Schulz, Henrike Heinemann, Rene Dechow, Christopher Poeplau
Summary: The study reveals that flower strips can increase soil organic carbon stocks, improve agricultural yields, and enhance insect biodiversity. Converting 1% of Germany's cropland area into flower strips could significantly reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the country.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Raja Imran Hussain, Ronnie Walcher, Nora Vogel, Bernhard Krautzer, Leonid Rasran, Thomas Frank
Summary: Intensification of grassland management leads to a decrease in insect diversity. Flower strips have a restorative effect on preserving and restoring native grassland insect diversity. Heteroptera and syrphid species richness and abundance are higher in flower strips, while butterfly abundance and species richness are higher in extensive grasslands. Restoring insect diversity is a slow process influenced by local vegetation conditions and connection to source populations.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Romane Mettauer, Lukas Beule, Zita Bednar, Margaux Malige, Olivier Godinot, Edith Le Cadre
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different silvopastoral agroforestry systems on soil nitrification potential. The results showed that nitrification potential differed between the two agroforestry systems and among the positions in relation to the trees. Nitrification potential was strongly correlated with soil pH, whereas no correlation was observed between nitrification potential and community size of soil nitrifiers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Babar Zahoor, Xuehua Liu, Pengfen Wu, Wanlong Sun, Xiaodong Jia, Zixin Lv, Xiangyu Zhao, Xiangbo He, Baishuo He, Qiong Cai, Melissa Songer
Summary: Studying activity patterns is crucial for understanding animals' behavior adaptation based on habitat conditions. Monitoring Asiatic black bear activity patterns in the Qinling Mountains, researchers found higher activity levels from June to October, with a shorter hibernation period. Bears were mainly active during the daytime in spring and summer, while more active at twilight in autumn. Food preferences and availability due to regional climate conditions are suggested as factors influencing these activity patterns.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vivien von Konigslow, Anne-Christine Mupepele, Alexandra-Maria Klein
Summary: Flower strips are commonly used to conserve insects, especially pollinators, and are subsidized by Agri-Environmental Schemes in many regions. In this study, it was found that while flower strips attracted more pollinators and species richness compared to existing habitat patches, bee species composition differed between the two habitat types. Existing herbaceous habitat patches showed high heterogeneity in pollinator abundance and species richness, while flower strips consistently attracted a high abundance and richness of pollinators.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Kevin Tougeron, Louise Ferrais, Pauline Gardin, Marc Lateur, Thierry Hance
Summary: Mass releases of two parasitoid species, combined with the presence of flower strips, can effectively control the rosy apple aphid in organic apple orchards. Flower strips reduce the presence of aphids, while increasing distance to release points has a negative impact on aphid control.
ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edina Torok, Sinja Zieger, Jacob Rosenthal, Rita Foldesi, Robert Galle, Teja Tscharntke, Peter Batary
Summary: Agricultural intensification has resulted in significant biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. In the European Union, agri-environment schemes have been developed to address these issues, with two main strategies focusing on either production or conservation areas. Research in Central Germany found that organic farming was more effective in controlling cereal pests compared to establishing flower strips, while natural enemy abundance benefitted from both flower strips and smaller field sizes. Combining organic farming with flower strips and reducing field sizes may enhance predator populations for more efficient pest control.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Priyank Hanuman Mhatre, K. L. Divya, E. P. Venkatasalam, Santosh Watpade, Aarti Bairwa, Jagadeesh Patil
Summary: Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) are among the most challenging pests for potato growers worldwide. Due to the harmful effects of pesticides, there is increasing interest in using biological control agents and trap crops for PCN management. Various biological control agents and the use of trap crops have shown promise in reducing PCN populations in soil. Integrating these strategies with other practices such as identification and conservation of native antagonists can lead to more efficient PCN management in potato cropping systems.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Lincoln Smith, Ikju Park
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different environmental conditions on the diapause period of Ceratapion basicorne. The results show that the duration of cold temperature is an important stimulus for terminating diapause, while exposure to ambient light has no effect. Additionally, a cold period can accelerate diapause development, but it is not necessary for its completion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Philippe Tschanz, Stefan Vogel, Achim Walter, Thomas Keller, Matthias Albrecht
Summary: Ground-nesting wild bees play a crucial role in pollinating wild plants and crops, impacting human wellbeing. This study in Switzerland found that arable fields are utilized for nesting by various bee species, with nest density being positively related to the proportion of bare ground and decreasing with distance from field edges. The findings suggest that maintaining small field sizes, increasing edge density, and reducing crop cover through increased row spacing can support ground-nesting bees in agricultural landscapes, potentially aided by floral-rich agri-environment scheme areas. Further research is needed to determine if tilled arable fields serve as suitable nesting habitats or ecological traps for ground-nesting bees.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Inka Notz, Cairistiona F. E. Topp, Johannes Schuler, Sheila Alves, Leonardo Amthauer Gallardo, Jens Dauber, Thorsten Haase, Paul R. Hargreaves, Michael Hennessy, Anelia Iantcheva, Philippe Jeanneret, Sonja Kay, Juergen Recknagel, Leopold Rittler, Marjana Vasiljevic, Christine A. Watson, Moritz Reckling
Summary: Legume-supported cropping systems have the potential to increase protein self-sufficiency and reduce environmental impacts in European agriculture. Using the DEED framework, we collaborated with scientists and advisors in 17 study areas to describe, explain, explore, and redesign cropping systems. The results showed that legume integration reduced N fertilizer use and nitrous oxide emissions, decreased nitrate leaching, and increased protein yield per hectare. However, energy yields were lower in legume-supported systems, and economic criteria were identified as important for feasibility and adaptation. Overall, the close stakeholder interactions and large-scale application of the DEED framework demonstrated the benefits of redesigning legume-supported cropping systems in Europe.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Verena Gerstle, Alessandro Manfrin, Sara Kolbenschlag, Maximilian Gerken, A. S. M. Mufachcher Ul Islam, Martin H. Entling, Mirco Bundschuh, Carsten A. Bruehl
Summary: This study found that Bti may indirectly affect the abundance of dragonflies by reducing the number of chironomid larvae, and also have an impact on the composition of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. As dragonflies include species of conservation concern, the necessity of Bti applications in habitats such as floodplains should be carefully evaluated.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Michael Meissle, Mario Waldburger, Philippe Jeanneret, Giovanni A. L. Broggini, Andrea Patocchi, Jorg Romeis
Summary: The complete netting of orchards is an effective strategy to protect fruit trees from pest and pathogen damage by reducing insect movement. However, when genetically engineered trees are involved, the reduced movement of pollinators may also result in decreased outcrossing to other non-engineered trees. A field study demonstrated that while large bees were excluded by the nets, small bees could still cross. Occasional cross-pollination events through the netting were also observed in a companion study.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Sina Blosch, Matthias Albrecht, Markus Jenny, Bernhard Streit, Eva Knop
Summary: Ecological intensification aims to reduce environmental costs of agricultural production by increasing biodiversity and using associated ecosystem services. In this study, researchers manipulated the seeding pattern in winter wheat fields to create a diversified crop architecture and found that it resulted in increased carabid diversity and altered community composition and activity density, leading to improved pest and weed control without yield losses. This measure could potentially replace pesticides with enhanced ecosystem services.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marvin Kaczmarek, Martin H. Entling, Christoph Hoffmann
Summary: Biodiversity loss is a major challenge for agricultural sustainability, driven by local management and landscape simplification. Conservation measures aim to increase organic agriculture, reduce pesticide use, and increase the proportion of semi-natural habitats. It is important to understand the effects of such measures.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonin Pepin, Maria Vittoria Guidoboni, Philippe Jeanneret, Hayo M. G. van der Werf
Summary: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural intensification and habitat degradation is a major concern, and current life cycle assessment (LCA) methods lack the ability to assess impacts on biodiversity in vegetable production systems. The SALCA-BD expert system was adapted to assess and compare biodiversity impacts in vegetable production systems by considering habitats and farming practices. The results highlighted the importance of semi-natural habitats and low-intensity practices for preserving biodiversity, and indicated that assessment at the farm level is more informative than at the field level.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elizabeth M. Alejandre, Laura Scherer, Jeroen B. Guinee, Marcelo A. Aizen, Matthias Albrecht, Mario V. Balzan, Ignasi Bartomeus, Danilo Bevk, Laura A. Burkle, Yann Clough, Lorna J. Cole, Casey M. Delphia, Lynn V. Dicks, Michael P. D. Garratt, David Kleijn, Aniko Kovacs-Hostyanszki, Yael Mandelik, Robert J. Paxton, Theodora Petanidou, Simon Potts, Miklos Sarospataki, Catharina J. E. Schulp, Menelaos Stavrinides, Katharina Stein, Jane C. Stout, Hajnalka Szentgyorgyi, Androulla I. Varnava, Ben A. Woodcock, Peter M. van Bodegom
Summary: While wild pollinators are crucial for global food production, they are currently not included in the commonly used environmental impact assessment method, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), due to data limitations and compatibility issues. To address this gap, a Delphi assessment was conducted to obtain relative pollinator abundance estimates from 25 experts covering 16 nationalities and 45 countries. Based on the estimates, globally generic characterization factors (CFs) were developed to assess the impact of land use on wild pollinator abundance in LCA studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Noelle Klein, Felix Herzog, Philippe Jeanneret, Sonja Kay
Summary: This study validated an LCA tool in predicting bird/butterfly richness at the field/landscape scale and tested the improvement of prediction by considering the spatial context. The results showed that adding specific landscape metrics improved the landscape model for birds but not for butterflies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomas Duque, Rufat Nuriyev, Joerg Roembke, Ralf B. Schaefer, Martin H. Entling
Summary: The chemical sensitivity of six earthworm species to imidacloprid and copper was assessed to improve the risk assessment of pesticides on soil macroorganisms. The hazardous concentrations affecting 5% of species were determined, with some pesticide concentrations in European agroecosystems exceeding the values, indicating toxic risks. Additionally, soil pH and earthworm traits were found to have significant relationships with chemical sensitivity.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Jo Marie Reiff, Keerthi Sudarsan, Christoph Hoffmann, Martin H. Entling
Summary: Organic management and cultivating disease-resistant varieties may reduce the impact of pesticides, but in grape cultivation, organic management does not have significant benefits for beneficial arthropods.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Kolbenschlag, Eric Bollinger, Verena Gerstle, Carsten A. Bruehl, Martin H. Entling, Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Emerging aquatic insects that provide high-quality prey are essential for linking aquatic and terrestrial food webs. However, the emergence dynamics of non-biting midges, a major component of aquatic subsidy, were altered by the mosquito control agent Bti. Riparian spiders, which rely on aquatic subsidy, may be affected by changes in prey availability. Through a field study, we found that Bti did not significantly alter the nutritional value of emerged chironomids, but it did impact the diet of riparian spiders. Spiders from Bti-treated areas had a lower trophic position and potentially consumed more terrestrial prey and other aquatic organisms unaffected by Bti, such as Baetidae.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Jo Marie Reiff, Theresa Pennington, Sebastian Kolb, Konrad Theiss, Ekaterina Alakina, Marvin Ehringer, Paul Mason, Rosalie Shrestha, Martin H. Entling, Christoph Hoffmann
Summary: This five-year study examines the effects of fungicide reduction and altered plant architecture on arthropod abundances and natural pest control. The results indicate that reduced fungicide sprayings benefit arthropods, especially predators, leading to enhanced natural pest control. Minimal pruning has a weaker effect, primarily impacting leaf mesofauna, earwigs, and leafhoppers.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marvin Kaczmarek, Melanie Gillich, Martin H. H. Entling, Christoph Hoffmann, Jens Schirmel
Summary: Our study demonstrates that the cultivation of FRG varieties in organic viticulture benefits certain orthopteran species. Reducing the use of non-specific pesticides such as copper and sulfur is crucial to mitigate negative impacts and promote orthopteran populations in vineyards. Given the significant environmental effects of agriculture, it is important to understand the effects of conservation measures on organisms in order to provide evidence-based and effective implications for conservation.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Tomas Duque, Sumaiya Chowdhury, Marco Isaia, Stano Pekar, Kai Riess, Gregor Scherf, Ralf B. Schaefer, Martin H. Entling
Summary: This study highlights the high sensitivity of spiders to lambda-cyhalothrin, which can have unintended negative effects on pest suppression. Sensitivity is strongly related to phylogeny and climate, with spiders from boreal and polar climates being more sensitive. The observed differences in sensitivity between spider families and genera suggest that the functional composition of spider communities would change in areas affected by pesticide pollution. The variation in spider sensitivity emphasizes the need for multispecies investigations in pesticide risk assessment.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
