The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People

Data accessibility. This article does not contain any additional data. Funding Information:The input of P.S. contributes to Soils-R-GRREAT (NE/ P019455/1) and the input of P.S. and S.D.K. contributes to the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme through project CIRCASA (grant agreement no. 774378). Acknowledgements. T.K.A. acknowledges the support of ‘Towards Integrated Nitrogen Management System (INMS)’ funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), executed through the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).Peer reviewedPostprin

Sustainable futures over the next decade are rooted in soil science

Funding information: Dutch Knowledge Base Program; European Commission, Grant/Award Number: NEW 810; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Grant/Award Numbers: 774378, 869625; Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, Grant/Award Number: 2019002820004; Natural Environment Research Council, Grant/Award Number: NE/R016429/1; Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas, Grant/Award Number: 2017-00608; UK Research and Innovation, Grant/Award Number: NE/P019455/1Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the United Nations sustainable development goals

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Soil-derived Nature’s Contributions to People and their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Acknowledgments The input of PS contributes to Soils-R-GRREAT (NE/P019455/1) and the input of PS and SK contributes to the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme through project CIRCASA (grant agreement no. 774378). PR acknowledges funding from UK Greenhouse Gas Removal Programme (NE/P01982X/2). GB De Deyn acknowledges FoodShot Global for its support. TKA acknowledges the support of “Towards Integrated Nitrogen Management System (INMS) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), executed through the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The input of DG was supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) strategic science investment fund (SSIF). PMS acknowledges support from the Australian Research Council (Project FT140100610). PM’s work on ecosystem services is supported by a National Science Foundation grant #1853759, “Understanding the Use of Ecosystem Services Concepts in Environmental Policy”. LGC is funded by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, Brazil – grants 421668/2018-0 and 305157/2018-3) and by Lisboa2020 FCT/EU (project 028360). BS acknowledges support from the Lancaster Environment Centre Project.Peer reviewedPostprin

Connectivity assessment in Mediterranean vineyards using improved stock unearthing method, LiDAR and soil erosion field surveys

The interaction between processes and landforms is accelerated in vineyards due to bare tilled soils that enhance splash, runoff, and erosion. Traditionally, in order to assess these processes, the stock unearthing method (SUM) is considered a useful methodology that uses the graft union of the vine plant as passive bio-indicator of the topsoil level changes. However, SUM assumes that the topography between the rows is planar when development of a model of the current micro-topography is performed. Thus, we consider that there is a need to develop a new methodology (ISUM: improved SUM) that, by adding new measurements in the inter-row areas (at least 3), allows inclusion of the absent micro-topographical information of SUM. In this way, the main aim of this research was to estimate the micro-topographical changes and soil transport at three different slope positions (upper, middle and lower parts) in a 25-years-old vineyard in eastern Spain. LiDAR data were used to compare the connectivity processes at the catchment with the pedon scale. We obtained maps that showed topsoil level changes and detected soil depletion and accumulation signals. We estimated soil displacement rates of -1.6Mghayr-1 (depletion), +2.8Mghayr-1 and +13.3Mghayr-1 (accumulation) at upper, middle and lower slope positions, respectively. The total average soil erosion rates in the inter-rows were -5.7Mgha-1 yr-1. In the row areas, deposition of +10.5Mghayr-1 was measured. Field erosion marks surveyed after each rainfall event gave insights to the connectivity at the inter-row and the slope scale. It was found that at the row scale there were sinks of sediments underneath the vines and sources in the inter-row parts, although they are the highest and lowest local topographical terrain, respectively. This is due to tillage erosion that redistributed the sediments. At the slope scale, the lower part of the slope collected sediments from the upper slope positions, which were transported along the middle part of the slope, as the measurement of ISUM and the field survey after intense rainfall events demonstrated. Connectivity of the flows along the whole slope were rare (twice), and along individual slope parts connectivity was found eight times, and 19 at the inter-row scale after 8years of field observations.</p

A conceptual connectivity framework for understanding geomorphic change in human-impacted fluvial systems

Human-induced landscape change is difficult to predict due to the complexity inherent in both geomorphic and social systems as well as due to the coupling relationships between them. To better understand system complexity and system response to changing inputs, “connectivity thinking” has become an important recent paradigm within various disciplines including ecology, hydrology and geomorphology. With the presented conceptual connectivity framework on geomorphic change in human-impacted fluvial systems a cautionary note is flagged regarding the need (i) to include and to systematically conceptualise the role of different types of human agency in altering connectivity relationships in geomorphic systems and (ii) to integrate notions of human-environment interactions to connectivity concepts in geomorphology to better explain causes and trajectories of landscape change. Geomorphic response of fluvial systems to human disturbance is shown to be determined by system-specific boundary conditions (incl. system history, related legacy effects and lag times), vegetation dynamics and human-induced functional relationships (i.e. feedback mechanisms) between the different spatial dimensions of connectivity. It is further demonstrated how changes in social systems can trigger a process-response feedback loop between social and geomorphic systems that further governs the trajectory of landscape change in coupled human-geomorphic systems

Updated measurements in vineyards improves accuracy of soil erosion rates

All rights reserved. Vineyards have proven to be one of the most degraded agricultural ecosystems due to very high erosion rates, which are typically measured at fine temporal and spatial scales. Long-term soil erosion measures are rare, but this information may be indispensable for a proper understanding of the vineyard soil system, landscape evolution, and crop production. The stock unearthing method (SUM) is a common topographical measurement technique developed to assess long-term erosion rates. The reliance of the SUM has been questioned and should be replaced by an improved measurement technique. In this paper, we demonstrate the added value (improved accurate, low cost, and faster than photogrammetrically methods) of the improved stock unearthing method (ISUM). It was shown that large errors may have been made in previous assessments of soil erosion on vineyards, as the old method did not make measurements in the inter-row area or consider the timing of the erosion assessment in relation to tillage events. We found that this caused the SUM to severely underestimate soil erosion rates by –14.2 and –37.8% in 1- and 86-d tillage vineyards in one location, respectively. Furthermore, the increased measurement resolution attained from the ISUM allowed for the detailed assessment of micro-topographical change. Soil loss maps were able to detect the locational ch anges in soil depletion and accumulation, as well as continuous soil movement features in the inter-row areas. Ultimately, this leads to a more accurate estimate of the actual soil erosion rates in vineyards

Effects of land preparation and plantings of vegetation on soil moisture in a hilly loess catchment in China

In the dryland and degraded regions, soil moisture is the primary factor determining ecological restoration. Proper land preparations and vegetation restoration can improve soil moisture and benefit land restoration. Identifying their effects on soil moisture is thus essential for developing suitable management strategies. In this study, four typical land preparation techniques (level ditches, fish-scale pits, zig terraces, and level benches) and non-native vegetation types (Prunus armeniaca, Platycladus orientalis, Pinus tabulaeformis, and Caragana microphylla) were planted on a semiarid loess hilly catchment, China. Soil moisture was monitored by a time-domain reflectometer, and its spatial-temporal variations were analyzed during the 2014-2015 growing seasons. The following results were captured. (a) Soil moisture was highest for the combination of P. orientalis and fish-scale pits (P. orientalis/fish-scale pits, 10.37%), followed by P. armeniaca/level ditches (10.23%), P. orientalis/zig terraces (9.67%), C. microphylla/level benches (8.62%), P. tabulaeformis/fish-scale pits (8.05%), and P. tabulaeformis/zig terraces (7.72%). (b) Fish-scale pits offered a better rainwater-harvesting capacity during the rainy months, whereas zig terraces had a higher water retention capacity under extremely dry conditions (as indicated by the temporal soil moisture variation and soil water retention curves). (c) P. tabulaeformis consumed more water than other vegetation types (26.7% lower than that of P. orientalis). (d) Soil moisture in shallower layers (0-80 cm) was more affected by land preparations and was more effected by vegetation types in deeper soil layers (80-180 cm). We thus suggest that fish-scale pits may be a better choice in wetter regions whereas zig terraces and P. orientalis are more suitable in the driest parts of the Loess Plateau to restore the fragile ecosystems

Comparative analysis of splash erosion devices for rainfall simulation experiments: A laboratory study

For the study of soil erosion it is important to set up the experiments well. In the experimental design one of the key factors is the choice of the measurement device. This is especially important when one part of the erosion process needs to be isolated, such as for splash erosion. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to list the general characteristics of the commonly used splash erosion devices and to discuss the performance, to be able to relate them, and make suggestions regarding their use. The devices we selected for this comparative comparison were: the splash cup, funnel, Morgan tray, Tübingen cup, tower, and the gutter. The devices were tested under the same conditions (rainfall characteristics, slope, and soil type) to assess their hydrological response under different intensities of simulated rainfall. All devices were installed on a sloping plot (10°) with sandy soil, and were exposed to 10 min. of simulated rain with intensities ranging from 60 to 172 mm/h to measure the splashed sediment, and to describe problems and differences among them. The results showed that the Tübingen cup was the best performing device to measure kinetic energy of the rain, but, because of its design, it is not possible to measure the detached splashed sediment under natural (field) conditions. On the other hand, the funnel device showed a significant relation with rain intensity because it loses little sediment to washing. In addition, the device is easy to use and cheap. Therefore, this device is highly recommended to estimated splash erosion. to the good performance measuring the actual splash erosion, because it loses little sediment by washing. The device is also cheap and easy to install and manage.</p

Hydrological and erosional impact and farmer's perception on catch crops and weeds in citrus organic farming in Canyoles river watershed, Eastern Spain

[EN] It is needed to find the proper management from a biophysical point of view to promote sustainable agriculture. However, it is also necessary that farmers accept new strategies that propose cultural and technical shifts. A survey of the fannerg perception, and an assessment of the biophysical impact of catch crops (CC) and weeds (W) on soil organic matter, bulk density, infiltration capacity, runoff initiation, runoff discharge and soil detachment at the pedon scale were carried out. The field measurements in the Alcoleja experimental station demonstrated that organic matter and bulk density after 10 years of Vicla saliva L and Avena saliva L catch crops and weeds managed plots are similar. Both CC and W plots enhanced high infiltration rates under single ring ponding conditions, the runoff discharge was delayed and decreased; and soil erosion rates were lower in comparison to soil erosion rates measured in chemically managed farms. Soil quality was high for both management strategies and soil erosion rates much sustainable due to the live mulch that catch crops and weeds developed. However, an assessment of the farmed perception in the Canyoles river watershed citrus production area in Eastern Spain demonstrated that the farmer's community did not accept the use of catch crops or weeds. The survey proved that the farmers would accept the use of CC and W if subsidies were paid. The farmers claimed for the payment of the seeds and sowing expenses plus a 57 (sic) ha(-1) for the CC and 75 (sic) ha(-1) for Won average. The farmers considered the use of CC and W as benefit for the society, but not for them.This paper is part of the results of research projects GL2008-02879/BTE, LEDDRA 243857 and RECARE-FP7 (ENV.2013.6.2-4, http://recare-project.eu). We thank the editors and reviewers for their improvements to and careful review of the paper. The second coauthor, J. Rodrigo-Comino, was issued a grant to complete this study and some other about vineyards under the framework of a short-term scientific mission (COST-STSM-ECOST-STSM-ES1306-010217-081877).Cerda, A.; Rodrigo-Comino, J.; Giménez Morera, A.; Keesstra, SD. (2018). Hydrological and erosional impact and farmer's perception on catch crops and weeds in citrus organic farming in Canyoles river watershed, Eastern Spain. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. 258:49-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.02.015S495825