
Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11
Published: Nov. 28, 2023
Soils are increasingly acknowledged as complex systems, with potential non-linear behaviors having important implications for ecosystem and Earth system dynamics, but soil models could improve adoption of analytical tools from the broader interdisciplinary field systems. First- new-generation formulate many pools using first-order decomposition, which tends to generate simpler yet numerous parameters. Systems or complexity theory, developed across various scientific social fields, may help robustness models, by offering consistent assumptions about openness, dynamic instability distance commonly assumed stable equilibria, well new formulating more generalized model structures that reduce parameter space yield a wider array possible outcomes, such quickly shrinking carbon stocks pulsing lagged respiration. This paper builds on recent perspectives modeling ask how functions can be better understood applying systems lens. We synthesized previous literature reviews concepts dynamical in theoretical ecology sciences broadly identify areas further study under uncertainty human activities management. Three broad were highlighted: variable memory state-dependence, oscillations, tipping points hysteresis. These themes represent dynamics resulting existing observations, reversibility organo-mineral associations, aggregate- pore hierarchies, persistent wet-dry cycles, higher-order microbial community predator-prey interactions, cumulative legacy land use history, management interactions and/or cooperation. discuss these aspects contribute useful tools, metrics, frameworks integrate uncertainties future states, ranging micro-to regional scales. Overall, this highlights benefits incorporating spatial heterogeneity instabilities into representations whole processes, contributes modern synthetic review connects similar ideas disciplines their work findings. Additionally, it advocates transdisciplinary collaborations between natural scientists, extending research anthropedology biogeosociochemistry.
Language: Английский