A holistic perspective on soil architecture is needed as a key to soil functions

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 73(1)

Published: July 27, 2021

Abstract Soil functions, including climate regulation and the cycling of water nutrients, are central importance for a number environmental issues great societal concern. To understand manage these it is crucial to be able quantify structure soils, now increasingly referred as their “architecture,” constraints physical, chemical biological processes in soils. This quantification was traditionally approached from two different angles, one focused on aggregates solid phase, other pore space. The recent development sophisticated, non‐disturbing imaging techniques has led significant progress description soil architecture, terms both space spatial configuration mineral organic materials. We have direct access virtually all aspects architecture. In present article, we review how this affects perception architecture specifically when trying describe functions A key conclusion our analysis that context, imperatively needs explored its natural state, with little disturbance possible. same requirement applies taking place hierarchical network, those contributing emergence heterogeneous organo‐mineral matrix by various mixing processes, such bioturbation, diffusion, microbial metabolism interactions. Artificially isolated fundamentally inappropriate deriving conclusions about functioning an intact soil. fully account argue holistic approach centres mandatory while dismantlement soils into chunks may still carried out study binding components. future, expected along direction, new, advanced technologies become available. Highlights highlight temporal dynamics activity carbon turnover. reconcile controversial concepts relative formed reshaped time. demonstrated porous not assembly aggregates. Biological physical formation

Language: Английский

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Dual nature of soil structure: The unity of aggregates and pores

Geoderma, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 434, P. 116478 - 116478

Published: April 25, 2023

Soil is a hierarchical, self-organizing, and emergent system that supports plant microbial growth, enables carbon sequestration, facilitates water fluxes, provide habitat for microorganisms, all of which depend on soil structure. Recent debates have generally reduced functioning to geometry topology solids pores denied the existence role aggregates hierarchy solids. Here we argue structure has dual nature essentially boils down interlocking in groupings specific complexity dynamics called aggregates. By comparing their architectural, chemical, energetic parameters, conclude much higher information density than pores. Therefore, (as unity pores) perform broader range functions compared alone, especially long-term. A set corresponding each level depends aggregate type (macroaggregates, water-stable aggregates, microaggregates, elementary particles) determined by binding energy, dynamics, lifetime. The introduced here energy-based concept justifies structure, base structuring stabilization processes most general form. We understand implying approach: corresponds bonding strength mineral organic particles forming Aggregate formation bottom-up process because energy microaggregates orders magnitude gluing macroaggregates. duality manifested not only relationship between but also interactions competition biological non-biological disaggregate view pore space as transport pathway living phase roots, solid-pore interface setting physico-chemical transformations, result these phenomena, provides context mechanistic understanding process-based modeling health.

Language: Английский

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Relations between soil organic carbon content and the pore size distribution for an arable topsoil with large variations in soil properties

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 73(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Abstract Soil organic carbon (SOC) in arable topsoil is known to have beneficial effects on soil physical properties that are important for fertility. The of SOC content aggregate stability been well documented; however, few studies investigated its relationship with the pore structure, which has a strong influence water dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. In present study, we examined relationships between clay contents size distributions (PSDs) across an field large spatial variations by combining X‐ray tomography measurements retention. Additionally, fractionated SOC, reactive Fe Al oxide structure. We found porosities 0.2–720 μm diameter class were positively correlated content. A unit increase was associated relatively porosity 0.2–5 480–720 classes, indicates enhanced would plant available unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. On other hand, macroporosities (1200–3120 classes) bioporosity but not Due correlations texture, carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios iron contents, could separate relative importance these PSDs. Reactive aluminium particulate poorer predictors PSDs compared contents. This study provides new insights relations structure may lead improved estimations sequestration supply crops. Highlights Relations distribution (PSD) explored. used retention quantify wide range PSD. There positive classes. Porosities classes more strongly than clay. Our results implications estimates dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Embracing the dynamic nature of soil structure: A paradigm illuminating the role of life in critical zones of the Anthropocene

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 225, P. 103873 - 103873

Published: Nov. 26, 2021

Language: Английский

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How does soil water status influence the fate of soil organic matter? A review of processes across scales

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 234, P. 104214 - 104214

Published: Oct. 13, 2022

Language: Английский

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Cover crop influence on pore size distribution and biopore dynamics: Enumerating root and soil faunal effects

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Aug. 30, 2022

Pore structure is a key determinant of soil functioning, and both root growth activity fauna are modified by interact with pore in multiple ways. Cover cropping rapidly growing popular strategy for improving agricultural sustainability, including improvements structure. However, since cover crop species encompass variety contrasting architectures, they can have disparate effects on formation pores their characteristics, thus the formation. Moreover, utilization existing systems its modification new growth, conjunction activity, also vary species, affecting dynamics biopores (creation demolition). The objectives this study were (i) to quantify influence 5 size distribution macropores (>36 μm Ø); (ii) explore changes originally developed architecture after an additional season growth; (iii) assess relative contributions plant roots fate modifications biopores. Intact cores taken from 10 cm depth one followed X-ray computed micro-tomography (CT) characterization, then, reburied second period crops subsequent characteristics CT scanning. Our data suggest that interactions changed over time. While first season, large created at expense small pores, year these reused or destroyed creation ones through earthworm activities growth. In addition, (>0.5 mm) increased total macroporosity. During period, sized macropores, however, reduced again action smaller than earthworms, suggesting highly dynamic equilibrium. Different mainly arise differences volume, mean diameter as well reuse macropores.

Language: Английский

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Soil and crop management practices and the water regulation functions of soils: a qualitative synthesis of meta-analyses relevant to European agriculture

SOIL, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. 1 - 20

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Abstract. Adopting soil and crop management practices that conserve or enhance structure is critical for supporting the sustainable adaptation of agriculture to climate change, as it should help maintain agricultural production in face increasing drought water excess without impairing environmental quality. In this paper, we evaluate evidence assertion by synthesizing results 34 published meta-analyses effects such on physical hydraulic properties relevant change European agriculture. We also review an additional 127 investigated synergies trade-offs explain terms underlying processes mechanisms. Finally, identify how responses alternative soil–crop systems vary under contrasting agro-environmental conditions across Europe. This information may practitioners policymakers draw context-specific conclusions concerning efficacy tools. Our synthesis demonstrates organic amendments adoption “continuous living cover” result significant benefits regulation function soils, mostly arising from carbon inputs stimulation biological processes. These are clearly related improved aggregation enhanced bio-porosity, both which reduce surface runoff increase infiltration. One potentially negative consequence these a reduction storage groundwater recharge, be problematic dry climates. Some important reductions nitrate leaching greenhouse gas emissions nonleguminous cover systems. The reducing tillage intensity appear much less clear-cut. Increases bulk density due traffic compaction commonly reported. However, activity reduced intensity, improve infiltration capacity losses agro-chemicals water. beneficial inconclusive, while include yield penalties increases risks pesticides nitrate. highlights knowledge gaps root growth transpiration. Thus, impacts supply other functions necessarily based inferences derived proxy variables. Based gaps, outlined several key avenues future research topic.

Language: Английский

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Landscape dynamics and the Phanerozoic diversification of the biosphere

Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 624(7990), P. 115 - 121

Published: Nov. 29, 2023

The long-term diversification of the biosphere responds to changes in physical environment. Yet, over continents, nearly monotonic expansion life started later early part Phanerozoic eon1 than marine realm, where instead number genera waxed and waned time2. A comprehensive evaluation geodynamic climatic forcing fails provide a unified theory for pattern evolution on Earth. Here we couple climate plate tectonics models numerically reconstruct Earth's landscape entire eon, which then compare palaeo-diversity datasets from animal land plant genera. Our results indicate that biodiversity is strongly reliant dynamics, at all times determine carrying capacity both continental domain oceanic domain. In oceans, diversity closely adjusted riverine sedimentary flux provides nutrients primary production. On land, was hampered by poor edaphic conditions until widespread endorheic basins resurfaced continents with cover facilitated development soil-dependent rooted flora, increasing variety additionally promoted their development.

Language: Английский

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Hydro-pedotransfer functions: a roadmap for future development

Hydrology and earth system sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(14), P. 3391 - 3433

Published: July 29, 2024

Abstract. Hydro-pedotransfer functions (PTFs) relate easy-to-measure and readily available soil information to hydraulic properties (SHPs) for applications in a wide range of process-based empirical models, thereby enabling the assessment effects on hydrological, biogeochemical, ecological processes. At least more than 4 decades research have been invested derive such relationships. However, while methods, data storage capacity, computational efficiency advanced, there are fundamental concerns related scope adequacy current PTFs, particularly when applied parameterise models used at field scale beyond. Most PTF development process has focused refining advancing regression aspects remained largely unconsidered. systems not represented which built mostly agricultural soils temperate climates. Thus, existing PTFs ignore how parent material, vegetation, land use, climate affect processes that shape SHPs. The Richards–Richardson equation limited predicting parameters van Genuchten–Mualem functions, despite sufficient evidence demonstrating their shortcomings. Another issue relates diverging scales derivation application, whereby derived based laboratory measurements often being regional scales. Scaling, modulation, constraining strategies exist alleviate some these shortcomings mismatch between These addressed here joint effort by members International Soil Modelling Consortium (ISMC) Pedotransfer Functions Working Group with aim systematising providing roadmap guiding both use. We close 10-point catalogue funders researchers guide review research.

Language: Английский

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Interactions between soil structure dynamics, hydrological processes, and organic matter cycling: A new soil‐crop model

European Journal of Soil Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 75(2)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract The structure of soil is critical for the ecosystem services it provides since regulates many key processes, including water, air and solute movement, root growth activity biota. Soil dynamic, driven by external factors such as land management climate mediated a wide range biological agents physical processes operating at strongly contrasting time‐scales, from seconds (e.g., tillage) to decades faunal aggregation). In this respect, positive feedbacks in soil–plant system may lead longer term degradation or recovery structurally poor soils. As far we are aware, no existing soil‐crop model can account processes. paper, describe new (USSF, Uppsala Structure Function) that accounts effects dynamics on water organic matter cycling profile scale. expressed time‐varying (bulk density, porosity) hydraulic properties (water retention, conductivity) responding (i.e., earthworms, plant roots) tillage, swell‐shrink) seasonal decadal time‐scales. first application model, present results 30‐year scenario simulations illustrate potential role importance balance, carbon storage soil, growth, winter wheat yields two soils (loam clay) central Sweden. A sensitivity analysis was also performed these scenarios using Morris method elementary effects, which revealed most sensitive parameters controlling USSF those determining aggregation induced turnover swell/shrink. We suggest promising tool investigate phenomena triggered use change. Results study show feedback potentially long‐term predictions crop production, sequestration under global

Language: Английский

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