European Journal of Soil Science最新文献

Knowledge about the isothermal thermogravimetric (TG) profiles of soils within the low-temperature range (60°C–200°C) and their relationship to physicochemical properties are limited. The isothermal TG profiles of three typical clay minerals and eight mineral soils with varying clay contents (6%–47%) and clay mineralogies were measured within the temperature range of 60°C–200°C. Except for kaolinite, which showed a linear increase in mass loss (ML) with temperature, the ML of all other samples showed a logarithmic increase with temperature. For clay minerals, the ML was in the order of montmorillonite > illite > kaolinite at different temperature levels. For minerals soils, the cation exchange capacity (CEC) was the important factor affecting soil ML at different temperatures. Soil water content decreased linearly with increasing pF (logarithm of negative water potential) within the temperature range of 60°C–200°C, and the relationship between water content and pF can be well described with the Campbell and Shiozawa (1992) model (R² = 0.98–1.00). The reciprocal of model parameter SL had a very significant correlation with CEC or specific surface area determined from water vapour adsorption ($��{\mathrm{SSA}}_{�H_2�O�}�$). Our results implied that the easily measured isothermal TG data have the potential to be used to estimate some important soil properties (e.g., CEC and $��{\mathrm{SSA}}_{�H_2�O�}�$).

In Africa, where agriculture is the backbone of the economy and sustains livelihoods, the increasing threat of climate change necessitates a shift towards strategies that improve soil resilience. This study explores a range of soil and water conservation techniques, organic amendments and agroforestry, focusing on their application to specific soil types such as Luvisols, Lixisols, Ferralsols, Nitisols, Vertisols, Cambisols and Arenosols, tailored to address Africa's diverse agroecological zones under a changing climate. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of soil physical management in ensuring resilience to climate change, supported by evidence from long-term studies. Our review demonstrates that these physical management strategies are essential for improving soil structure, increasing moisture retention, reducing erosion and enhancing soil organic matter. These improvements contribute to more resilient agricultural systems that maintain productivity despite fluctuating climatic conditions. However, their implementation in Africa faces challenges such as high soil variability, barriers to adoption and resource constraints. Despite these obstacles, significant opportunities exist to build resilience through tailored strategies that align with local soil and climate conditions, supported by innovative policies and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific research. Therefore, we advocate for an integrated approach that harmonises local expertise, scientific advancements and policy interventions to transform Africa's croplands. By addressing both the biophysical and socio-economic aspects of soil management, this approach can foster resilient, productive and sustainable agricultural systems capable of ensuring food security amidst climate variability.

Wetlands occupy a small percentage of the Earth's surface but provide essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, carbon cycling and habitat support. Patagonian “Vegas” are unique wetland ecosystems characterised by their groundwater recharge and hydrological dynamics, distinct from the surrounding steppe. These ecosystems play a critical role in supporting livestock with up to six times the forage productivity of the surrounding steppe and in storing over 69 g kg⁻¹ of organic carbon. However, the influence of soil structure parameters (e.g., pore size distribution, bulk density) and soil shrinkage behaviour on soil moisture variability and ecosystem functions in Patagonian wetlands remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the physical capacity and intensity parameters of soils, including shrinkage properties, within a micro-watershed in southern Patagonia. Our findings reveal significant spatial variability in soil properties, with bulk density (BD) ranging from 0.12 to 1.81 Mg m⁻³ across topographic positions. Mineral soils on summits and footslopes exhibited high macroporosity (up to 18.1% of total pore volume at 5 cm depth), which facilitates water movement, while organic soils in the Vega centre had a higher total porosity (up to 88.8%) that enhances water and air retention. The coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) for organic soils reached a level of 0.078, indicating a high shrinkage capacity. This shrinkage influenced the functionality of the porous system, shifting pore roles between air conduction and water storage as larger pores contracted. These dynamics, driven by climate change and increased drying cycles, may lead to significant shifts in soil functionality and ecosystem resilience. Enhanced understanding of soil physical states and their response to environmental changes can support sustainable management strategies, benefiting local agriculture and preserving these critical ecosystems.

Over the past 60 years, efforts to enhance agricultural productivity have mainly focussed on optimising strategies such as the use of inorganic fertilisers, advancements in microbiology and improved water management practices. Here, we emphasise the critical role of pedology as a foundation in soil management and long-term sustainability. We will demonstrate how overlooking the intrinsic properties of soils can result in detrimental effects on soil and overall sustainability. Communication between academia, extension experts, consultants and farmers often results in an overemphasis on the surface layer, for example, 20 to 40 cm, neglecting the functions that occur at depth. Soil health and regenerative agriculture must be coupled with an understanding of how soil functions as a dynamic system. We find that pedological knowledge and digital soil mapping technologies are underused for achieving sustainable agriculture. By bridging the gap between pedology and emerging agricultural technologies, we can provide land users with the tools needed to make informed decisions, ensuring that their practices not only increase production but also preserve the health of the soil for future generations.

We appear to be at a shining moment for interactions between soils and society. Popular interest in soils has increased along with interests in urban gardening, carbon sequestration, recognition of the vast biodiversity in soils, and the realisation that soils are a finite resource whose degradation has serious consequences. This increase in interest creates both opportunities and challenges for soil science. While there is great potential for increasing the diversity of people involved with soil science, key scientific and communication challenges need to be addressed for interactions between soils and society to be useful and productive. Here, I present case study issues on the mechanisms and limitations of carbon sequestration in soils and the need to restore and/or create new soils for specific uses, including urban agriculture and green infrastructure, to illustrate the opportunities and challenges associated with new societal interest in soil science. Addressing these issues requires advances in both basic and applied science, new participatory approaches to the design, execution, and interpretation of research, collaboration with multiple disciplines, including the social sciences, and improvements in the two-way flow of information between science and society. Careful attention to these issues will attract new people to soil science, advance awareness of the importance of and threats to soils across the globe, and produce improvements in the quality of life for diverse human populations.