Imogolite-type nanoparticles (ITN) are among the most extensively studied particles present in the Bs horizons of Podzols, as they are strongly associated with the adsorption processes of different anions in soils, including phosphate. The aim of this study was to assess the properties of ITN in soil, in order to increase the current knowledge of ITN regarding adsorption models. ITN were isolated from

Organic farming aims at producing high quality, nutritious food while sustaining the health of soils and ecosystems, for which it relies on ecological processes. The amount and quality of soil organic carbon (SOC) influence many soil ecological processes that underlie ecosystem services. However, the effect of organic farming on the amount and especially the quality of SOC is not yet clear. We therefore

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled with iron (Fe) reduction, known as Feammox, is an important nitrogen (N)-cycling pathway in anoxic soils. Biochar, widely employed as a soil amendment, has been reported to influence N dynamics through its redox-active moieties, but the effects on Feammox of biochar produced with different pyrolysis temperatures remain poorly understood. We conducted a slurry incubation

It has been proposed to separate soil organic carbon (SOC) into two physical fractions, i.e., fine fraction organic carbon (OCfine) and coarse fraction organic carbon, to improve our ability to understand controlling factors and predict SOC contents and SOC stability. In this study, we aimed at building a simple pedotransfer function to estimate OCfine content measured using a size fractionation protocol

Constructed soils based on urban waste, i.e. Technosols appear as a promising solution to enhance circular economy while delivering ecosystem services. Their ability to provide such services depend on their constitution as well as on their temporal evolution and pedogenesis, which is poorly known. We studied during three years the changes in an isolatic Technosol made essentially of organic urban wastes

Uncertainty in digital soil mapping products is generally quantified and presented alongside the predictions in the form of a second raster map. However, it remains a challenge for end-users to integrate this additional information into their decision-making, and as a result, they tend to ignore uncertainty. The Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) literature has identified two levers for better communicating

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) play important roles in increasing agricultural productivity. However, excessive use of N and P fertilization can result in low N and P fertilizer use efficiencies (REN and REP) and loss of N and P through gaseous emission and leaching, but which also depend on soil pH conditions. In a full factorial glasshouse experiment using pots with 2.5 kg soil and adding N (0 and

Developing methods to estimate Soil Organic Carbon sequestration potential (SOCsp) at the regional scale is essential for quantifying the additional stable carbon that soils can sequester for climate change mitigation. This study investigates methods to estimate SOCsp across Taiwan. It evaluates three methods for estimating SOC saturation in fine fraction soils (less than 53 µm) (Hassink, boundary

Plant roots play a fundamental role in maintaining soil health. Although a broad range of root traits have been reported, few studies have attempted to link root morphology with soil structure. Here, we used shovelomics to characterize the root morphology of a wheat cultivar (Paragon), and two landraces (Senatore-Cappelli, and Watkins238), and advanced soil pore and root network X-ray computed tomography

Although microplastics (MPs) have been widely found in farmland soil, the influence of pollutant sources and farmland management on MPs migration and distribution is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the distribution of MPs in the 0–30 cm soil layers of vegetable fields with long-term mulching and surrounded by complex pollution sources under three management methods (MMs) (MM1, high

Soils in urban green spaces are often artificially constructed and highly disturbed, yet their capacity for long-term carbon (C) sequestration remains underexplored. This study evaluates soil organic C (SOC) content and vulnerability in three types of urban green spaces, tree-only roadside greenery, belt-type roadside greenery, and urban parks, with a natural grasslands serving as a reference. We analyzed

Soil plays a crucial role in determining the activity of allelochemicals in natural and agricultural ecosystems. To identify potential differences in allelochemical availability and persistence between root-influenced soil (rhizosphere) and bulk soil, we designed experiments to compare the sorption and degradation patterns of three putative allelochemicals (S-abscisic acid, S-pulegone, and khellin)

Microbial inoculants can improve soil aggregate structure, but their effects are often transient due to limited survival. While periodic inoculations sustain microbial populations, their dynamic effects on soil aggregates remain unclear due to complex biotic and abiotic interactions. Here, we investigated the temporaleffects of periodic inoculations with three probiotic consortia, MF (Bacillus megaterium

Over time, soils undergo qualitative and structural changes under the influence of climate, geomorphic processes, parent material weathering, and vegetation, ultimately developing into unique soil types and profiles. Although these pedological drivers are conserved globally, it remains unclear to what extent different soil profiles undergo similar changes over comparable timespans in various environments

The absence of plants has profound effects on many ecosystem functions of soil. Long-term bare fallow trials are valuable tools for studying the dynamics in soil carbon decline and associated soil degradation. However, it is challenging to disentangle the contribution of missing organic inputs from the frequent physical disturbance caused by soil tillage or herbicide application to keep the soil free

Despite the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and stock changes, few countries are monitoring changes through time with direct soil measurements. National-scale changes of SOC stocks in New Zealand’s mineral soils, reported to meet international requirements, are currently predicted based on transitions of land use using a statistical model calibrated with historic data. However, historical

Quantitative analysis of regional-scale soil heavy metal (HM) sources presents significant challenges. The reliability of the widely used source apportionment model (positive matrix factorization, PMF) remains to be validated. Moreover, PMF are limited in their ability to dynamically assess source-sink changes and their impact on HM accumulation trends based solely on soil concentrations. Therefore

The development of soil structure and the formation of (micro-)aggregates starts with the alteration of the fluid-exposed surfaces of the parent rock during weathering, with the bedrock type as an essential determinant. We shed light on the intricate processes that gradually convert the pristine bedrock lithology into subsoil during weathering and incipient pedogenesis, thereby already commencing aggregation

Iron oxides, exhibiting positive surface charge in most acidic to neutral soils, are key inorganic agents for microaggregate formation, especially via their electrostatic interactions with negatively charged surfaces on organic and inorganic soil compounds. Yet, little is known on the influence of Fe oxide properties, i.e., size, shape, and surface charge on the formation of soil microaggregates (SMA)

Storing more C in subsoils can offset greenhouse gas emissions and C-rich buried horizons provide a unique opportunity to investigate the nature of subsurface C persistence. We identified five sites with varying soil texture across a climatic gradient that had C-rich buried surface horizons. We profiled the microbial community and characterized the soil organic matter of surface Ah, buried surface

Soil salinization poses a serious global threat to agricultural production and has emerged as a critical issue of land degradation. To comprehensively investigate the risks and uncertainty quantification associated with soil salinization, Yucheng County, a typical fluvo-aquic soil area located in Shandong Province, China, was selected as the case study region. In October 2021, soil samples were collected

The interplay between soil structure and soil organic carbon (SOC) is complex and affects key soil functions. There is limited knowledge on how this relationship changes with the size of the structural unit studied. The objective of this study was to quantify the pore and shape characteristics of soil aggregates of varying sizes, and their relationships with SOC under different soil management regimes

Upland forest soils are recognized as the primary biological sink for methane. The influence of litter on soil methane uptake has not been clearly elucidated: litter could reduce methane uptake, have no influence or enhance it. Until now, the role of litter has only been studied for the diffusion of gases. The chemical influence of leachate compounds from litter is a dominant process in forest ecosystems

Soil, one of the Earth’s most critical natural resources, supports global agricultural production and underpins key ecosystem services. Among the multiple functions soil performs, primary productivity stands out as a crucial element, pivotal for ensuring food security as the basis of the agricultural system. This study aimed to develop a multi-criteria assessment model for soil primary productivity

The formation of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) from plant litter decomposition is crucial for climate change mitigation. However, the way in which plant litter of varying qualities influences MAOM formation and decomposition, particularly regarding the quantity of litter inputs, remains largely unclear. This study aimed to determine how the quality of straw, specifically low-quality wheat

Previous studies on microbial respiration responses to soil moisture have primarily focused on the influence of current moisture conditions, largely overlooking the role of antecedent soil moisture and its effects on the soil carbon (C) pool. In this study, we investigated the effect patterns of antecedent moisture on bacterial 16S rRNA composition, microbial respiration and the soil extractable organic

Digital soil mapping (DSM) relies on a broad pool of statistical methods, yet determining the optimal method for a given context remains challenging and contentious. Benchmarking studies on multiple datasets are needed to reveal strengths and limitations of commonly used methods. Existing DSM studies usually rely on a single dataset with restricted access, leading to incomplete and potentially misleading

Vegetation growth can induce the seasonal variation in soil erosion resistance during a growing season, reflected by rill erodibility (Kr) and critical shear stress (τc).

The degradation of soil organic matter (SOM) is an essential process that not only drives the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) but also influences the environmental fate of pollutants, such as mercury (Hg), specifically methylmercury (MeHg) production. However, the relationship between these processes and their response to warming remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a 60-day microcosm

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is comprised of a complex mixture of plant and microbial-derived compounds with varying chemical compositions and stability. Understanding these components is crucial for modelling SOC turnover and stability. Conventional fractionation methods moslty use physical or chemical separations, but techniques such as mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy and thermal ramp dry combustion

Agricultural management practices influence the turnover and residence time of soil organic matter (SOM) and thus can contribute to carbon (C) removal from the atmosphere. However, advanced analytical techniques are needed to disentangle the interlinked processes of SOM stabilisation and destabilisation, as well as its built-up and decomposition. Stable isotopes of C (δ13C) and nitrogen (N; δ15N) as

Global warming has led to permafrost thawing in mid-latitude alpine regions, resulting in greater availability of carbon (C) and nutrients in soils. However, how these changes will impact the functional genetic potential of permafrost soil microbiomes, and subsequently, how they will influence the microbially mediated feedback of mountain soils under climate change remains unknown. To help answer this

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is fundamental for climate regulation, soil fertility, biodiversity, and healthy terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the key controllers and their pathways is required to estimate SOC distribution and predict C sequestration potential. Previous research emphasized the significant impact of active Al/Fe (acid-oxalate extractable) on SOC content, especially in volcanic soils

Accurate segmentation of soil constituents in X-ray CT imagery is critical for advancing our understanding of soil structure dynamics. However, difficulties arise because of the overlapping X-ray attenuation of soil constituents, which makes segmentation based on voxel intensity alone impossible. In this study, we explore the potential of nnUNet, a deep learning-based semantic segmentation model, for

The dynamic equilibrium between soil phosphatase activities and soil organic phosphorus (Po) species can be impacted by soil forming factors. While much research has addressed soil Po dynamics as a function of time using chronosequences, understanding of lithology and bioclimate impacts on soil P cycling remains comparatively limited. We tested hypothesized interactive impacts of lithology and bioclimate

Accurate determination of soil organic carbon stocks is important to track long-term change due to land management or land use, for greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory reporting, and carbon trading associated with these changes. Typically, these stock measurements are carried out, using either horizon-based or continuous core sampling, to collect soil bulk density, organic carbon content and depth of the

China contains Asia’s largest wetlands, which include diverse wetland types, e.g., peatlands, marshes and mangroves; these wetlands are found from inland to coastal regions. Over the past four decades, considerable amounts of natural wetlands have been drained, thus severely decreasing their carbon (C) sequestration ability. Recent rewetting has been initiated to restore wetland ecosystem services

Rising temperatures in subtropical regions pose a significant challenge to soil carbon (C) storage. Microbial necromass is an important contributor to the persistent soil C pool, yet little is known about its responses to warming in subtropical forest ecosystems. Here, we executed an 8-year continuous sampling campaign in a subtropical forest ecosystem-level passive warming experiment (+0 °C, +1.0 °C

Soil health assessment is critical for understanding and promoting sustainable soil management practices. Soil health assessment methods incorporate a variety of inherent environmental and edaphic properties, including climate variables and texture, as well as cropping system. However, these inherent properties often vary systematically among cropping systems and potentially confound the effects of

The co-incorporation of rice straw (RS) and Chinese milk vetch (CMV) has been suggested as an optimized agronomic management strategy to improve soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and agricultural sustainability. This study was designed to evaluate effects of co-incorporating RS and CMV (RS-CMV) on rice grain yields, sustainable yield index (SYI), economic benefit, the sequestration and stratification

The stability of soil aggregates (SSA) serves as a sensitive indicator of soil fertility and plays a crucial role in determining resistance to erosion. However, the synergistic mechanisms of microorganisms, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), and humic substances (HS) by which SSA is altered through the conversion of Punus massoniana monoculture plantations into mixed broadleaf-conifer plantations

Macropores and preferential flow critically regulate soil hydrological functions and ecosystem services in agricultural systems. With the intensification of global soil degradation, especially as conventional tillage (CK) exacerbates soil compaction, conservation tillage (CT) has emerged as a crucial strategy for restoring soil quality. However, the ability of CT to alleviate soil compaction and regulate

Whether there is a N saturation threshold for the response of soil respiration (Rs) to increasing nitrogen (N) deposition remains unclear in forest ecosystems. In this work, a simulated N deposition experiment involving five levels of N addition (0 to 44.8 g N m−2 yr−1) was performed in a mesocosm experiment platform with young Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) trees planted on it. Rs and its autotrophic

Sinusoidal Milankovitch orbital variations do not match the sawtooth pattern of descent into glaciation followed by abrupt termination to greenhouse interglacials seen in records of marine shale, speleothems, and ice cores. Also, climatic response for the past million years has fallen on the weakest Milankovitch forcing of eccentricity (100 ka). Strong obliquity forcings (42 ka) dominate early Pleistocene

Nutrient availability strongly influences soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation through microbial necromass C (MNC) formation. However, the effects of nutrient addition on regulating MNC formation in soils with distinct stoichiometric ratios are not well understood. Soil samples were collected from a long-term (>40 years) wheat-maize rotation field trial, without and with nutrient management, which

Recalcitrant organic nitrogen (N) decomposition is crucial for soil fertility and ecosystem function. Although it is well-established that plant root exudates, containing various labile carbon (C) sources, can stimulate recalcitrant N decomposition, the specific contribution of different labile C in driving this process through heterotrophic nitrification have yet to be fully elucidated. This study

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) offers significant potential for soil and geological core analysis, yet challenges of large data volume and complex processing hinder its broader usage. To tackle these issues, we introduce an innovative automated framework for hyperspectral soil and core analysis. This framework leverages a synergistic integration of deep learning models—specifically BOX-YOLOv8, SAM2, and

Contributions of plant- vs. microbial-derived C to soil organic carbon (SOC) is vital for predicting SOC persistence, yet little is known about impact of N deposition on SOC composition and the underlying microbial taxa with distinct ecological roles in subtropical forests. Here, along an urbanization gradient with increasing ambient N deposition from exurb and suburb to center in Shanghai, we investigated

Mangrove ecosystems are vital for carbon sequestration and coastal protection, yet accurate estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) using remote sensing remains challenging due to spectral interference caused by dynamic vegetation cover. This study presents a novel framework integrating fractional-order derivative (FOD) techniques with machine learning algorithms for SOC estimation in mangrove wetlands

Understanding seasonal variations in community composition and species distribution along elevation gradients is a core task in biogeography and ecology but remains poorly studied, particularly in soil animal communities. In this study, we assessed seasonal β diversity of Collembola assemblages on Changbai Mountain, China. We sampled 18,942 individuals comprising 96 Collembola species across 10 altitudes

The improvement of soil hydraulic properties by the addition of biochar has been assessed by many researchers. However, the long-term effects of biochar on soil hydraulic properties under field conditions are still unclear. In this study, we conducted a statistical meta-analysis of 1–10 years of field experiment data from 61 studies published between 2009 and 2023. We sought to elucidate the long-term

Nutrient availability significantly influences soil microbial communities and the soil organic carbon (SOC) cycle. Yet, the precise response of microbial metabolism, particularly carbon use efficiency (CUE), to varying nutrient levels, and the subsequent impact on microbial respiration in paddy soils, remains a key area of investigation. In this study, we utilized six paddy soils collected across a

It is widely recognized that increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs play critical roles in plant carbon (C) inputs and microbial growth and activity, thereby profoundly affecting the composition and dynamics of soil organic C (SOC). However, whether and how plant- and microbial-derived C and their associated SOC fractions respond to the interaction between N and P additions remain unclear

Biocrusts are a major ground cover type in drylands, driving ecosystem function and contributing to biodiversity at large scales. However, their small size and similar colour to background soils and vegetation make them challenging to monitor with remote sensing. We developed a simple and accurate field method for large scale surveys of biocrust, using drone imagery and machine learning, guided by

Continuous monitoring of soil moisture (SM) is essential in precision agriculture for effective irrigation management. However, SM forecasting in subarctic environments remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we forecast SM at a 30-centimeter soil depth over a 7-day period using Random Forest (RF) model. Two scenarios were evaluated: (a) relying solely on historical data (HIST), and (b) using

Protists are pivotal components of soil micro-food webs, influencing microbial functioning and nutrient cycling. While abiotic soil factors consistently drive protist communities, the roles of bottom-up (resources) and top-down (predators) forces remain understudied. The lack of integrative studies on these drivers constrains our understanding of changes in protistan communities. To fill this gap,

Few studies have examined CO2 sources and pathways along the soil–aquifer–stream–atmosphere continuum. We measured the water concentration of dissolved CO2, HCO3–, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), together with ancillary variables (pH, total alkalinity [TA], and major ions [Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, NO3–]), in piezometer transects and adjacent streams at a monthly interval over a 5-year period (2019–2023)