Article
Engineering, Civil
Chun Liu, Bill X. Hu, Zhongwu Li, Longfei Yu, Hao Peng, Dong Wang, Xudong Huang
Summary: Identifying the chemical compositions and sources of eroded organic matter is crucial for understanding its transport and fate. The study found that organic matter from forested soils had higher aromaticity and molecular weight, mainly originating from gully banks, orchards, and forests. Soil conservation measures played a significant role in determining the sources of eroded OM in sediments, while rainfall events impacted the dissolved organic matter in stream waters.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Evelin Pihlap, Markus Steffens, Ingrid Koegel-Knabner
Summary: This study aims to elucidate the initial aggregate formation in calcareous loess, showing that organic matter induces the formation of large macroaggregates, while microaggregates do not accumulate soil organic carbon. The findings suggest that soil aggregate formation on young calcareous soils involves both fresh soil organic matter contributing to macroaggregate formation and intrinsic cementation of loess through carbonates affecting microaggregate stability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liying Sun, John L. Zhou, Qiangguo Cai, Suxia Liu, Jingan Xiao
Summary: This research focused on improving erosion control practices in the Loess Plateau by studying surface erosion processes in four contrasting soils under high rainfall intensity. The study found significant impacts of soil properties on sediment load in splash, sheet/interrill, and rill erosion processes. Different processes were affected by different factors, highlighting the need for targeted erosion control practices based on soil texture and slope gradient conditions.
INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentin Landemaine, Olivier Cerdan, Thomas Grangeon, Rosalie Vandromme, Benoit Laignel, Olivier Evrard, Sebastien Salvador-Blanes, J. Patrick Laceby
Summary: A continuous simulation study in the European loess belt suggests that saturation-excess runoff plays an important role in generating runoff and erosion behavior. Despite being often overlooked, the Water and Sediment (WaterSed) model is able to accurately simulate the amount of overland water and erosion.
INTERNATIONAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Fu, Mingxi Yang, Guanglu Li, Dong Wang, Tenghui Zheng
Summary: This study aimed to clarify the soil aggregate splash characteristics of different soil types under different rainfall conditions on the Loess Plateau. The results showed that soil properties had a greater effect on aggregate distribution in splash erosion, highlighting the importance of improving soil structure to reduce water erosion damage.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Nan Shen, Zhanli Wang, Qi Guo, Qingwei Zhang, Bing Wu, June Liu, Chunyan Ma, Claudio O. Delang, Fengbao Zhang
Summary: The study investigated soil detachment capacity by rill flow for five typical loess soils on the Loess Plateau of China, finding that SM sandy loess had the highest D-c value. Stream power was identified as the best hydrodynamic parameter to describe the process of soil detachment capacity by rill flow for these soils. The study revealed negative correlations between soil detachment capacity and soil cohesion and effective silt content, while positive correlations were found with effective median soil particle size and effective sand content. Multiple mathematical functions were proposed to model soil detachment capacity by rill flow for various hydraulic and soil conditions in the loess region, with high goodness of fit values.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julian Campo
Summary: Temperature has an impact on both erosion and carbon cycling in the soil. Recent studies have shown that with warming, the amount of soil organic carbon lost due to erosion increases, while the preservation of deposited carbon decreases, resulting in an overall increase in the carbon sink in croplands.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Review
Soil Science
Lin Liu, Qinghui Zhang, Qianjin Liu, Zijun Li
Summary: Soil can act as a carbon source or sink depending on erosion, transport, and deposition processes. This review clarifies the relationships between SOC mineralization, stability, and stock at erosion and deposition sites, and presents possible standards for defining soil carbon sinks and sources. Suggestions for enhancing SOC sequestration and improving SOC prediction are also provided.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Guoxiang Niu, Li Liu, Yinliu Wang, Huiling Guan, Qiushi Ning, Tao Liu, Kathrin Rousk, Buqing Zhong, Junjie Yang, Xiankai Lu, Xingguo Han, Jianhui Huang
Summary: Recent studies have suggested that dividing soil organic matter (SOM) into particulate and mineral-associated organic matter (POM and MAOM) can help us understand SOM cycling and its response to increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. In this study, we examined the effects of nitrogen addition on POM and MAOM at different soil depths in a typical steppe. Our results showed that nitrogen addition significantly increased SOC and total N in POM and MAOM fractions in the topsoil, but only increased in MAOM in deeper soils. The distribution of SOC and total N in POM and MAOM was primarily influenced by soil physicochemical features, rather than microbial properties. These findings highlight the importance of considering the saturation level of MAOM in predicting SOM dynamics and its response to nitrogen deposition.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Lv, Qiang Sun, Pengfei Li, Jishi Geng, Yuan Xin, Shaofei Wang
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the pore structure and strength of loess by mixing it with organic matter. The results show that the content of organic matter and water are important factors affecting the resistivity of organic soil. The findings provide valuable references for vegetation restoration, land use, and conservation strategies in ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yipeng Liang, Xiang Li, Tonggang Zha, Xiaoxia Zhang
Summary: The redistribution of soil organic carbon along loess slopes in China is crucial for understanding global carbon cycles. Vegetation restoration, especially in naturally regenerating forests, has been found to effectively slow the migration of SOC and reduce its spatial heterogeneity. The study suggests that vegetation restoration can alleviate soil erosion and contribute to the stability of SOC distribution.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Wencan Zhang, Andrew S. Gregory, W. Richard Whalley, Tusheng Ren, Weida Gao
Summary: The study revealed that a higher proportion of SOM was found in surface and subsoil layers in eroding fields, with thermal-labile SOM mainly derived from recent corn planting. Old SOM also contributed significantly to the thermal-labile SOM in deep soil horizons.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Lisa Maggioli, Sonia Chamizo, Raul Roman, Carlos Asensio-Grima, Yolanda Canton
Summary: Sewage sludge (SS) is widely used as a soil conditioner due to its high content of organic matter and nutrients. This study found that cyanobacteria growth increased in soil amended with low concentrations of composted SS, while higher SS concentrations decreased cyanobacteria growth. However, SS significantly enhanced soil organic carbon gain and tightly-bound exopolysaccharide content. Cyanobacteria inoculation improved soil stability and had the potential for salt immobilization and soil bioremediation.
Article
Soil Science
Joanna Beata Kowalska, Markus Egli, Martina Vogtli, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Beata Labaz, Marcus Christl, Jaroslaw Waroszewski
Summary: Loess deposits are important archives for studying deposition and erosion events. Long-term erosion rates are crucial for understanding loess stability and soil evolution. This study used meteoric Be-10 to analyze its distribution, determine erosion rates, and assess soil thickness and stability over time.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ni Tang, Nina Siebers, Peter Leinweber, Kai-Uwe Eckhardt, Stefan Dultz, Volker Nischwitz, Erwin Klumpp
Summary: Colloidal organo-mineral associations in soils exist in two forms: free colloids and occluded colloids. Free colloids are rich in less decomposed plant-derived OM, while occluded colloids generally contain more decomposed and microbial-derived OM. The higher thermal stability of OM in occluded colloids indicates a higher resistance to further degradation and mineralization compared to free colloids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Nils Broothaerts, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Liesa Brosens, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Gert Verstraeten, Steven Bouillon, Gerard Govers
Summary: Madagascar has high erosion rates in its central highlands, and the role of human disturbance versus natural processes is still debatable. However, there is a lack of quantitative data to understand the vegetation dynamics and sediment fluxes in Madagascar over time. This study focuses on the Lake Alaotra region to investigate vegetation changes and sediment transfers over the past millennia, specifically looking at the impact of human disturbances and natural processes. The findings suggest that human activities have indirectly influenced vegetation shifts, while there is strong evidence of direct human disturbance on sediment accumulation through increased use of grasslands.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba, Yves Uwiragiye, Roland Bol, Wim de Vries, Jinshi Jian, Jianbin Zhou
Summary: Anthropogenic activities have caused increased N deposition, precipitation, and temperature events in terrestrial ecosystems. This study analyzed 110 published studies and found that N addition significantly increased soil respiration in forests but decreased it in croplands and grasslands. Altered precipitation had significant impacts on soil respiration in forests and croplands, while the effects on grassland were insignificant. Warming stimulated soil respiration in forests but inhibited it in croplands.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhanjun Liu, Mingda Wang, Jianbin Zhou, Zhujun Chen, Xinpeng Xu, Yuanjun Zhu
Summary: This study examines the effects of different mulching and fertilization methods on soil aggregation and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. The results show that straw mulch has a greater positive effect on soil aggregation and C and N stabilization compared to plastic mulch. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of the macroaggregate-occluded microaggregate fraction for evaluating soil C and N dynamics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhengang Wang, Yizhe Zhang, Gerard Govers, Guoping Tang, Timothy A. Quine, Jianxiu Qiu, Ana Navas, Haiyan Fang, Qian Tan, Kristof Van Oost
Summary: Erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) are influenced by climate, and the extent to which temperature controls the interaction between them is unclear. Using Cs-137 and SOC inventories from catchments with different climates, the study finds that increasing decomposition rates with temperature lead to efficient replacement of SOC lost by erosion in eroding areas, but lower preservation of deposited SOC in depositional areas. At the landscape level, the erosion-induced C sink strength per unit lateral SOC flux increases with temperature. The study estimates that the global C sink induced by water erosion on croplands increases by 7% due to climate change.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba, Yves Uwiragiye, Jianbin Zhou
Summary: Soil organic carbon (SOC) management can help mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This study examined the effects of nitrogen (N) enrichment on soil carbon sequestration in nitrogen-limited and nitrogen-rich Chinese forests. The results showed that N inputs increased net soil C sequestration, with greater impacts in temperate forests and with the use of NH4NO3 fertilizer at low N levels for a short period. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) varied depending on the forest type and was influenced by rainfall, fertilizer, and carbon-nitrogen ratio rates. The study also found that N enrichment increased SOC concentration in tropical and subtropical forests.
Article
Limnology
Jean-Philippe Belliard, Olivier Gourgue, Gerard Govers, Matthew L. Kirwan, Stijn Temmerman
Summary: The adaptability of coastal wetlands to relative sea level rise is influenced by the tidal pattern, with less frequent diurnal tides leading to higher vulnerability. This overlooked driver highlights the need for further research on the impact of tidal patterns on wetland ecosystems.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lei Bao, Saifeng Zhang, Xinyu Liang, Peizhou Wang, Yawen Guo, Qinghao Sun, Jianbin Zhou, Zhujun Chen
Summary: Intelligent drip fertigation is an efficient method to reduce the adverse impacts of water and nutrient use on the environment by tailoring the water and nutrient requirements of crops. By monitoring soil moisture and controlling irrigation and fertilization automatically, intelligent drip fertigation significantly reduces the application rates of irrigation water, N, P2O5, and K2O without compromising crop yield and quality.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Estela Nadal-Romero, Makki Khorchani, Leticia Gaspar, Jose Arnaez, Erik Cammeraat, Ana Navas, Teodoro Lasanta
Summary: Mediterranean mountains have undergone intense land use and land cover changes, with farmland abandonment leading to a mosaic landscape. The study shows that these changes significantly affect soil properties and organic carbon dynamics.
Article
Geography, Physical
Liesa Brosens, Ronadh Cox, Benjamin Campforts, Liesbet Jacobs, Veerle Vanacker, Paul Bierman, Vao Fenotiana Razanamahandry, Amos Fety Michel Rakotondrazafy, Tantely Razafimbelo, Tovonarivo Rafolisy, Gerard Govers
Summary: Cosmogenic nuclide analysis of river sediment in Madagascar reveals low and spatially variable Be-10-inferred erosion rates, with elevation as the main controlling factor. River concavity, seismic events, and gully densities also contribute to regional differences in erosion rates. These findings highlight the limitations of simple topography-based models and emphasize the importance of considering different regions and environmental controls in interpreting erosion rates inferred from Be-10 concentrations.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yves Uwiragiye, Qahtan Abdul Wahid Khalaf, Hayssam M. M. Ali, Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba, Mingxia Yang, Ahmed S. S. Elrys, Zhujun Chen, Jianbin Zhou
Summary: Increasing ammonium-based fertilizer (INF) leads to soil acidification, which poses a threat to food production in the tropics. A study on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) revealed a significant decrease in soil pH from 1980 to 2022, and predictions suggest that soil acidification will worsen by 2050. Factors such as precipitation, basic cations, clay content, SOC, and nitrogen fertilizers contribute to the spatial variations in soil pH. The findings of this study can guide management strategies to address acidic soils and increase INF use.
Article
Agronomy
Yves Uwiragiye, Mbezele Junior Yannick Ngaba, Mingxia Yang, Ahmed S. Elrys, Zhujun Chen, Jianbin Zhou
Summary: This study aimed to predict the spatial variation of soil acidification caused by optimized fertilizer use in Sub-Saharan Africa cropland. The results showed that soil acidification ranged from 0 to 16 keq H+ ha(-1) yr(-1), with cassava, banana, and Irish potatoes systems producing the most protons. Climate covariates had a higher relative importance than other covariates in driving soil acidification.
Article
Agronomy
Pengfei Li, Afeng Zhang, Shiwei Huang, Jiale Han, Xiangle Jin, Xiaogang Shen, Qaiser Hussain, Xudong Wang, Jianbin Zhou, Zhujun Chen
Summary: Straw input is a beneficial approach that enhances soil fertility, crop yield, and promotes sustainable agriculture. However, excessive straw input leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming. This study highlights the importance of optimizing straw input and management practices to increase soil carbon and nitrogen content, improve crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Koen De Vos, Charlotte Janssens, Liesbet Jacobs, Benjamin Campforts, Esther Boere, Marta Kozicka, Petr Havlik, Christian Folberth, Juraj Balkovic, Miet Maertens, Gerard Govers
Summary: African rice production is affected by high variability in yields and uncertain supply chains. This study proposes a framework to assess the future impacts of socio-economic development and climate change on rice availability and stability in Africa. The study highlights the importance of both local and trade-related climatic variabilities in identifying future challenges.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Xueqiang Zhu, Peng Miao, Jimin Qin, Wanhong Li, Lei Wang, Zhujun Chen, Jianbin Zhou
Summary: Nitrate (NO3- ) pollution of groundwater is a persistent and widespread problem worldwide, particularly in intensive agricultural regions with high nitrogen (N) surplus. In this study, the impact of apple-planting industry on groundwater quality was investigated in an intensive apple-planting region in the southern Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that canal irrigation and the application of chemical N fertilizer and manure N in apple orchards were the main sources of groundwater NO3- pollution. The study highlights the need to control NO3- pollution and protect groundwater quality in agricultural regions.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Remote Sensing
Koen De Vos, Benjamin Campforts, Laurent Tits, Kristof Van Tricht, Kasper Bonte, Gerard Govers, Liesbet Jacobs
Summary: Assessing rice production potential in Madagascar is important due to population growth and rice consumption. Remote sensing and crowdsourced data can be used to improve mapping, but their usefulness depends on representativeness and the application context. Establishing a multi-faceted evaluation framework is necessary for credible maps using crowdsourcing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
