Conservation Agriculture and Soil Organic Carbon: Principles, Processes, Practices and Policy Options

Soil Systems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 17 - 17

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Intensive agriculture causes land degradation and other environmental problems, such as pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, biodiversity decline, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which exacerbate climate change. Sustainable agricultural practices, reduced tillage, growing cover crops, implementing crop residue retention measures, have been proposed cost-effective solutions that can address degradation, food security, change mitigation adaptation by enhancing organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in soils its associated co-benefits. In this regard, extensive research has demonstrated conservation (CA) improves physical, chemical, biological properties are crucial for maintaining health increasing agroecosystem resilience to global However, despite the undertaken implement three principles of CA (minimum mechanical disturbance, permanent with residues and/or diversification) worldwide, there still many technical socio-economic barriers restrict their adoption. review, we gather current knowledge on potential agronomic, environmental, benefits drawbacks present agro-environmental policy frameworks. Research needs identified, more stringent measures urgently encouraged achieve targets.

Language: Английский

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Soil organic carbon stocks in European croplands and grasslands: How much have we lost in the past decade?

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Oct. 30, 2023

Abstract The EU Soil Strategy 2030 aims to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural land enhance health and support biodiversity as well offset greenhouse gas emissions through sequestration. Therefore, the quantification of current SOC stocks spatial identification main drivers changes is paramount preparation policies aimed at enhancing resilience systems EU. In this context, (Δ SOCs) for + UK between 2009 2018 were estimated by fitting a quantile generalized additive model (qGAM) on data obtained from revisited points Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) performed 2009, 2015 2018. analysis partial effects derived fitted qGAM shows that use change observed LUCAS campaigns (i.e. continuous grassland [GGG] or cropland [CCC], conversion (GGC GCC) vice versa [CGG CCG]) was one changes. CCC factor contributed lowest negative Δ with an effect −0.04 ± 0.01 g C kg −1 year , while GGG highest positive 0.49 0.02 . This confirms sequestration potential converting grassland. However, it important consider local environmental conditions may either diminish grassland's storage. UK, (2018) topsoil (0–20 cm) stock below 1000 m a.s.l 9.3 Gt, −0.75% period 2009–2018. losses concentrated central‐northern countries, marginal southeast.

Language: Английский

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Soil bulk density assessment in Europe

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 364, P. 108907 - 108907

Published: Jan. 26, 2024

The topsoil Land Use and Cover Area frame Statistical survey (LUCAS) aims at collecting harmonised data about the state of soil health over extent European Union (EU). In LUCAS 2018 survey, bulk density has been analysed for three depths, i.e., 0–10 cm = 6140 sites; 10–20 5684 sites 20–30 =139 sites. laboratory analysis assessment results conclude that is 5–10% higher compared to all land uses except woodlands (20%). 0–20 depth, croplands have 1.5 times (mean: 1.26 g cm−3) 0.83 cm−3). main driver variation use which implies many existing pedotransfer rules be developed based on use. This study applied a methodological framework using an advanced Cubist rule-based regression model optimize spatial prediction in Europe. We spatialised circa 6000 samples high-resolution map (100 m) depth maps depth. modelling showed very good (R2: 0.66) outperforms previous assessments. can used estimate packing proxy compaction. Therefore, this work contributes monitoring refine estimates carbon nutrients stocks EU topsoil.

Language: Английский

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Empirical estimation of saturated soil-paste electrical conductivity in the EU using pedotransfer functions and Quantile Regression Forests: A mapping approach based on LUCAS topsoil data

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 454, P. 117199 - 117199

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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From regional to parcel scale: A high-resolution map of cover crops across Europe combining satellite data with statistical surveys

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 873, P. 162300 - 162300

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

The reformed Common Agricultural Policy of 2023-2027 aims to promote a more sustainable and fair agricultural system in the European Union. Among proposed measures, incentivized adoption cover crops soil during winter provides numerous benefits such as improved structure reduced nutrient leaching erosion. Despite this recognized importance, availability spatial data on is scarce. increasing field parcel declarations Union has not yet filled gap due its insufficient information content, limited public lack standardization at continental scale. At present, best available regionally aggregated survey data, which although indicative, hinders development spatially accurate studies. In work, we propose statistical model relating Sentinel-1 existence 100-m resolution over entirety United Kingdom estimate parameters using data. To validate method spatially-explicit way, predictions were compared against farmers' registered France, where widespread. results indicate good agreement between parcel-level When interpreted binary classifier, yielded an Area Under Curve (AUC) 0.74 for whole country. country was divided into five regions evaluation regional biases, AUC values 0.77, 0.75, 0.74, 0.70, 0.65 North, Center, West, East, South respectively. limitations validation outside non-standardized nomenclature among Member States, work constitutes first effort obtain relevant crop map scale researchers practitioners.

Language: Английский

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European topsoil bulk density and organic carbon stock database (0–20 cm) using machine-learning-based pedotransfer functions

Earth system science data, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(5), P. 2367 - 2383

Published: May 16, 2024

Abstract. Soil bulk density (BD) serves as a fundamental indicator of soil health and quality, exerting significant influence on critical factors such plant growth, nutrient availability, water retention. Due to its limited availability in databases, the application pedotransfer functions (PTFs) has emerged potent tool for predicting BD using other easily measurable properties, while impact these PTFs' performance organic carbon (SOC) stock calculation been rarely explored. In this study, we proposed an innovative local modeling approach fine earth (BDfine) across Europe recently released BDfine data from LUCAS (Land Use Coverage Area Frame Survey Soil) 2018 (0–20 cm) relevant predictors. Our involved combination neighbor sample search, forward recursive feature selection (FRFS), random forest (RF) models (local-RFFRFS). The results showed that local-RFFRFS had good (R2 0.58, root mean square error (RMSE) 0.19 g cm−3, relative (RE) 16.27 %), surpassing earlier-published PTFs 0.40–0.45, RMSE 0.22 RE 19.11 %–21.18 %) global RF with without FRFS 0.56–0.57, 16.47 %–16.74 %). Interestingly, found best PTF = 0.84, 1.39 kg m−2, 17.57 performed close 0.85, 1.32 15.01 SOC predictions. However, still better (ΔR2 > 0.2) samples low stocks (< 3 m−2). Therefore, suggest is promising method prediction, would be more efficient when subsequently utilized calculating stock. Finally, produced two topsoil datasets (18 945 15 389 samples) at 0–20 cm local-RFFRFS, respectively. This dataset archived Zenodo platform https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10211884 (S. Chen et al., 2023). outcomes study present meaningful advancement enhancing predictive accuracy BDfine, resultant enable precise hydrological biological modeling.

Language: Английский

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A global dataset on phosphorus in agricultural soils

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Numerous drivers such as farming practices, erosion, land-use change, and soil biogeochemical background, determine the global spatial distribution of phosphorus (P) in agricultural soils. Here, we revised an approach published earlier (called here GPASOIL-v0), which several datasets describing these were combined with a process model for P dynamics to reconstruct past current cropland grassland The objective present update, called GPASOIL-v1, is incorporate recent advances understanding about inorganic dynamics, describe different drivers, regional measurements benchmarking. We trace impact update on reconstructed P. After estimate averaged labile 187 kgP ha

Language: Английский

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How the EU Soil Observatory is providing solid science for healthy soils

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 75(3)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Healthy soils are essential for sustainable food production, achieving climate neutrality and halting the loss of biodiversity. The European Commission turned spotlights on these vital aspects with launch EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) in 2021 to support Green Deal. Also, Strategy 2030 proposed Monitoring Law marked a major milestone soil protection. This article provides an overview functioning EUSO within this policy context. Through its activities, supports EU‐wide monitoring system wide range areas. Moreover, monitors state health through Health Dashboard. comprehensive easy understandable tool shows, first time, where current scientific evidence converges indicate areas likely be affected by degradation. Furthermore, research innovation, enhances capacity functionality Data Centre citizen engagements regarding matters. Overall, since 2021, has successfully taken up role principal knowledge hub information data underpin development implementation. Also next years, will continue provide monitor, safeguard restore EU.

Language: Английский

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Modeling arsenic in European topsoils with a coupled semiparametric (GAMLSS-RF) model for censored data

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 185, P. 108544 - 108544

Published: March 1, 2024

Arsenic (As) is a versatile heavy metalloid trace element extensively used in industrial applications. As carcinogen, poses health risks through both inhalation and ingestion, associated with an increased risk of liver, kidney, lung, bladder tumors. In the agricultural context, repeated application arsenical products leads to elevated soil concentrations, which are also affected by environmental management variables. Since exposure risks, effective assessment tools support policies needed. However, most comprehensive data available, Land Use/Cover Area frame statistical Survey (LUCAS) database, contains severe limitations due high detection limits. Although within International Organization for Standardization standards, limits preclude adoption standard methodologies analysis. The present work focused on developing new method model contamination European soils using LUCAS samples. We introduce GAMLSS-RF model, novel approach that couples Random Forests Generalized Additive Models Location, Scale, Shape. semiparametric can capture non-linear interactions among input variables while accommodating censored non-censored observations be calibrated include information from other campaign databases. After fitting validating spatial we produced European-scale concentration maps at 250 m resolution evaluated patterns against reference values (i.e., two action levels background concentration). found significant variability across continent, lower concentrations Northern countries higher Portugal, Spain, Austria, France Belgium. By overcoming existing databases methodologies, provides alternative way handle highly data. consists valuable probabilistic tool assessing soils, contributing informed policy-making protection.

Language: Английский

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Benchmarking soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration provides more robust soil health assessment than the SOC/clay ratio at European scale

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 951, P. 175642 - 175642

Published: Aug. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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