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• Epirogeny maintained per-humid climate for laterization on Adamaoua, West Africa. • Three stepped lateritic landsurfaces differentiated on granitoids of Adamaoua. • Eocene and Mid-Miocene volcanisms bound periods of lateritic surfaces formation. • Lateritic remains from etch-plain type Paleosurface in landsurfaces regolith. • Pediplain formed downslope the first two etch-plain type landsurfaces. The aim of this paper is to describe and discuss the laterization pattern and the structuration mode of land-surfaces formed over the Pan-African granitic basement of Adamaoua highland. Paleocene to mid-Eocene epeirogeny compartmentalized the regional topography of Adamaoua on which lateritic landsurfaces have been formed over granitoids of comparable geochemistry. Regional scale geomorphological observations and petro-geochemical characterization of lateritic duricrusted regolith allow to distinguish three distinct lateritic landsurfaces, which are compared to lateritic surfaces from West Africa. Regolith of the upper and middle landsurfaces incorporate composite lateritic duricrusts including old bauxites and ferricretes, which are petrological heritages from former regolith of etch-plain type Paleogene African Surface. On Pan-African granitic basement of Adamaoua, the upper and middle landsurfaces formed on granitoids before mid-Miocene basaltic-andesitic outpourings that locally cover them, while the lower landsurface also formed on grantic rocks has been mostly shaped over late Neogene. The geochemical compositions of lateritic duricrusts of upper and middle landsurfaces are clearly distributed between aluminous, ferruginous and kaolinite poles that typifies lateritic regolith of the bauxitic and (Fe-rich) intermediate etch-plains surfaces similarly as lateritic regolith of the Paleogene West-African sequence. Geochemical compositions of lateritic regolith on lower landsurface are mostly distributed between silica, kaolinite and iron, suggesting that more or less evolved or duricrusted horizons have been exposed by differential erosion of this landsurface. Lateritic regoliths of the three landsurfaces are also typified and differentiated by their index of laterization (IOL) and fractionation patterns of some trace (Cr, V, Zr, Ti, Nb, Th, Y, Ta, Ga) and rare earth elements (HREE, Eu/Eu*, (Gd/Yb) N). Though Neogene volcanic epirogenic uplift effects on landscape cannot be totally excluded, erosion and down-wasting of Paleogene landscape mostly evolved to a degraded lateritic etch-plain and late formation of a lower pediplain on Pan-African basement of Adamaoua highland under long-lasting per-humid climatic conditions over Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We quantified microbial anabolism (growth and necromass formation) in agricultural soils. • Stronger microbial 13C incorporation and necromass formation in upland than paddy soil. • Microbial growth and necromass formation in warm temperate were the lowest in upland. • Weaker growth but stronger necromass formation in warmer than cooler climates in paddy. • Consistent pattern of necromass formation between short-term and long-term periods. Well-drained upland soils generally have stronger microbial catabolism during organic C transformation than water-logged paddy soils. However, the intensity of microbial anabolism and necromass formation processes in these contrasting agricultural soils is unclear. To quantify these processes, 40 pairs of adjacent upland and paddy soils collected from four climates (mid-temperate, warm temperate, subtropics, and tropics) across eastern China were incubated with 13C-labeled root exudates under simulated field water conditions for 50 days. Upland soil collected from warm temperate exhibited a higher 13C incorporation into living microbial biomass than other climates. In contrast, the lowest newly formed necromass was detected due to the inhibition of fungal anabolism under the high pH condition. Paddy soils collected from cooler climates (mid-temperate and warm temperate) exhibited faster microbial biomass growth than those from warmer climates (subtropics and tropics). Still an opposite trend was observed for microbial necromass accumulation, possibly because of the faster turnover rate of microbial biomass induced by the high N availability in warmer climates. Regardless of climates, 13C incorporated into living microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids) was 1.4–2.6 times higher in upland than paddy soils, resulting in 1.8–3.9 times greater accumulation of newly-formed microbial necromass in the former. This was mainly caused by the stronger fungal anabolism (2.5–5.6 times higher) due to the oxygen-sufficient condition of upland soil. Our findings highlighted the weaker accumulation but stronger stability of organic C stored in upland soils because of the greater microbial catabolism and anabolism during organic C transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Establishing exclosures aids in vegetation restoration of degraded lands. • Exclosures of studied watersheds were limited in restoring degraded lands. • The efficacy of <11 & >11-year exclosures was different in restoring degraded lands. Land degradation is a severe environmental problem in the northern and northwestern Ethiopian highlands. As a response to increasing land degradation, rehabilitation of degraded grazing lands through exclosures (exclusion of farmers and domestic animals) has been undertaken. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 11 and 8-year exclosures in improving degraded landscapes in the Karita-Wuha and Dengora watersheds. It was assumed that the conditions on communal grazing lands at the time of the investigation corresponded to those at the establishment of exclosures. Vegetation was inventoried, and soil samples were collected and analyzed in 14 and 21 sampling sites selected from exclosures and communal grazing lands in Dengora and Karita-Wuha watersheds, respectively. Sampling plots (20 × 20 m) were established for soil sampling. In the two land uses, 10x10 m and 5x5 m sub-plots were used to survey trees and bushes/shrubs, respectively. Richness, diversity, evenness, and aboveground biomass (AGB) were evaluated using measurements from the vegetation inventory. Organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) and their stocks were used as soil nutrient indicators. The result showed that exclosures aided in restoring vegetation in both watersheds and soil nutrient parameters in the Dengora watershed compared with communal grazing lands. In the Karita-Wuha watershed, there was significantly higher OC, TN, and their stocks in communal grazing land than exclosures (t -test, p < 0.05). These results are generally attributed to the fact that communal grazing lands were significantly degraded before exclosure and have yet to recover. As a result, exclosures of Dengora and Karita-Wuha watersheds were limited in restoring degraded landscapes. There have been differences in the effectiveness of < 11- and > 11-year exclosures in restoring degraded landscapes in the literature. The effectiveness of various aged exclosures in restoring degraded landscapes is likely variable and dependent on local biophysical parameters and land use systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Upland organic soils (Folic Histosols) in the SE Brazil were studied. • Soil phytoliths, δ13C, 14C dating, C/N, indicated relations to vegetation history. • Two pedoenvironments that determine soil properties were identified. • Multi-proxy approach show environmental changes in Late Pleistocene/Holocene. Well-drained organic soils form in distinctive highland environments in contrast to wetland organic soils. Similar to the concept of endemic soils, they are restricted to specific geographic areas due to a unique combination of soil-forming factors. In this contribution, we aim to improve the pedological knowledge of the Brazilian highlands, focusing on well-drained organic soils. The objective was to propose a soil formation scheme for the study area, combining traditional techniques and paleoenvironmental reconstruction (phytoliths, isotypes, dating). Organic soils were formed by litter accumulation in two pedoenvironments: (1) directly on bedrock in the high-elevation grasslands, by the processes of addition and transformation of the litter, which constitute the parent material from these soils; and (2) in upper-montane forests, with organic horizons formed above mineral horizons. In both conditions, the cold and humid climate and vegetation (organisms) are the main soil-forming factors, reducing organic matter decomposition, and influencing the physical and chemical soil properties. Phytolith records and isotopic composition of soil organic matter indicated four environmental phases: Phase I (before ∼18,9k yr BP). A cooler and drier climate than present, with predominance of subtropical grassland vegetation and fire events; Phase II (∼18,9k yr BP to ∼11,1k yr BP). A slightly increase of humidity, decrease of fire events, and expansion of forest formations, with rare presence of Araucaria angustifolia ; Phase III (from ∼11,1k years BP) increase in humidity, the establishment of current climate conditions (cold and humid climate, typical of Southeastern Brazilian highlands), and significant presence of Araucaria in upper-montane forests; Phase IV (present) environmental changes related to increased fire events, reduction of Araucaria and increase of Bambusoid, Arecaceae and C 4 plants, possibly resulted from human activities. This contribution enhances the understanding of well-drained organic soils in the Southeastern Brazilian highlands, showing their unique formation under cold and humid climates, influenced by vegetation history and environmental phases, as revealed through phytolith records, isotopic composition, and dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Climate change impacts on renewable groundwater resources are studied for the Pita River basin. • Study area is representative of the andosol-dominated páramo ecosystem in the Andean highlands. • Seasonal differences in streamflow and aquifer recharge are predicted to increase to + 23 %. • Future hydrological response of páramos will degrade soil-vegetation dynamics. Climate change, coupled with adaptive human actions, will affect water resource access and availability for environmental requirements. Hydrological modelling is an effective strategy for forecasting climate and human impacts on water resources. Modelling tools are advised for sparse-data mountainous basins intended to supply densely populated urban areas in the future. In this context, the SWAT model is used to evaluate the impact of climate change on renewable groundwater resources in the Pita River basin (PRB), a representative area of the andosol-dominated páramo ecosystem in the Andean highlands projected to meet future water demand in the metropolitan district of Quito (MDQ), Ecuador. Based on data availability, a SWAT model is configured for the PRB over the period 2006–2015 and five regional climate models (RCMs) based on two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) emission scenarios (4.5 and 8.5) for the mid- (2040–2069) and long-term (2070–2099) future horizons are implemented. Hydrological modelling demonstrates increases in average temperature and precipitation of + 2 °C and + 3 % in the mid-term and + 4.5 °C and + 20 % in the long term, respectively. All the RCMs indicate less aquifer recharge in the mid-term. However, this pattern is softened, and even reversed, in several scenarios in the long term. Seasonal differences in streamflow and aquifer recharge in the baseline scenario are predicted to increase to + 23 %. The natural hydrological regime determined by thick porous allophane-rich andosols over virtually full moderate-permeability volcanic and volcano-sedimentary aquifers induces high streamflow and low aquifer recharge rates. Future hydrological regime could place the highly sensitive soil–vegetation dynamics of the páramo ecosystem at risk of degradation, with negative consequences for habitat preservation, in general, and stream water provision, in particular. Hence, groundwater is the safest option for water provision in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A long-term land use change management (LUMC) experiment was conducted in a sand dune of northeast Japan. • Paddy soil had significantly higher SOC and TN contents than upland and greenhouse but lower than tree area. • C decomposition under aerobic condition was higher than anaerobic condition and both were significantly affected by LUMC and soil depth. • Aerobic N mineralization was lower than anaerobic N mineralization and both were significantly affected by LUMC and soil depth. • Paddy soil had the steepest correlation slopes of C decomposition and N mineralization in four LUMC types. Land use change driven by anthropogenic activities has greatly affected terrestrial C and N cycling; however, it remains unclear how dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) availability respond to long-term land use change in sand dunes. Here, we investigated the changes in SOC, total nitrogen (TN), and their aerobic and anaerobic decomposition or mineralization in a vinyl film paddy, compared with dry land use and management changes (LUMCs) (original upland, greenhouse, and agricultural forest (tree area)) in Shonai sand dunes, northeast Japan. The vinyl film paddy had been singly cultivated for 54 years. Soil samples were collected from five soil depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50 cm) to compare the effects of depth and LUMC among the four treatments. The C decomposition (Dec-C) was assessed as the aerobic CO 2 production and anaerobic methane and CO 2 productions. Meanwhile, N mineralization (Min-N) was determined as aerobic NH 4 + and NO 3 – production and anaerobic NH 4 + production. The results showed that the vinyl film paddy increased SOC and TN contents, Dec-C and Min-N than upland and greenhouses at 0–30 cm depth but lower levels than the tree area at all depths. The arithmetic mean for all depths showed the aerobic Dec-C in the paddy (216.0 mg kg−1) was higher than the corresponding anaerobic Dec-C (192.8 mg kg−1). Conversely, the aerobic Min-N (35.9 mg kg−1) was lower than the anaerobic Min-N (75.7 mg kg−1). There were significantly positive correlations among SOC, TN, aerobic and anaerobic Dec-C and Min-N, whereas the paddy had steeper slope than other three LUMCs. Conclusively, our results indicated that long-term conversion of upland to vinyl film paddy increased SOC and TN accumulation and N availability (Min-N) in Shonai sand dunes, which can be applied as an effective agricultural practice to improve fertility of coastal sandy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developed a synthesized risk analysis to predict uncertainty of upland erosion. • Three risk elements-scenarios, probability-magnitude, consequence were identified. • Estimated probability-magnitude relations of rainfall erosion events by GEV modeling. • Assessed expected magnitudes of runoff and sediment under various return periods. The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is an artificial riparian ecosystem and influenced on its soil erosion. However, the probability and magnitude of the erosion on upland adjacent to riparian zone and its impacts on the TGR are still unclear. In this research, we determined the relationship between minute-scale rainfall erosivity and soil erosion from three replicated upland bare plots (5 m × 20 m for each) in Zhong County, southwest of China, from 2017 to 2019 (short-term), and estimated the rainfall erosion based on the daily-scale rainfall erosivity from 1992 to 2015 (long-term). We performed generalized extreme value (GEV) modeling to quantify three risk elements (scenario, probability-magnitude relation, consequences) and predicted the erosion risks. The results indicated that, over the short-term, wet season increased the average runoff depth and soil loss by a factor of 1.6 (p < 0.01) and 1.4 (p < 0.01), respectively. Low and rare rainfall erosivity (5 years < return period ≤ 20 years) caused the erosion event with relative low occurrence probability (return period > 5 years) to dominantly contribute the total erosion (>65%) in dry season. Common and normal rainfall erosivity (return period ≤ 5 years) caused the common erosion events (return period ≤ 2 years) to contribute nearly 50% of the total erosion in wet season. Over the long-term, extreme rainfall erosivity (1621 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1) in dry season was predicted to be more effective on upland erosion, but a uniform pattern of erosion contribution of incremental rainfall return periods was estimated in wet season. Our findings improve the understanding of the uncertainty of upland-surface hydrologic processes in the TGR, and could provide useful risk management or ecological restoration strategies for the soil and water conservationists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Channel-bend migration is accelerated by approximately 69%, and cutoffs occur 30% more frequently. • The highest migration rates are observed in cold and upland regions where the normalised curvature radius is between 3.0 and 5.0. • The mobility of upland rivers shows a significant positive and linear correlation with the expansion of glacial lakes. • Climate warming may accelerate the process of frozen bank erosion and consequent river meandering. River meandering and lateral migration, caused by riverbank erosion, is a major global threat to soil, sediment, lands, and habitats. However, compared to the densely populated lowland floodplains, the upland channel morphodynamics of free-flowing rivers in a complex high-elevation alluvial setting have received less attention. In this study, we quantitatively investigated channel morphodynamics and associated frozen bank migration in the upper Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Himalayan headwater basin from the 1980s to the 2010s. By combining remote sensing analysis with field investigations, we found mean migration rates of 244 gravel-bed river bends ranging from 1.63 m/yr in the 1980s to 2.76 m/yr in the 2010s, with a maximum rate of 18.61 m/yr. The highest migration rates were associated with bends that had a width-normalised curvature radius between 3.0 and 5.0 and a sinuosity between 1.2 and 1.5. A ∼69% increase in river-bend migration and 30% more frequent bend cutoffs coincided nicely with the rapid expansion of glacial lakes due to a ∼1 °C increase in mean annual air temperature over the past four decades. Positive correlations were observed between channel migration rate and temperature, mean glacial lake area, and runoff. These results highlight the importance of the unique channel morphodynamics and the intense lateral movements of upland rivers. The close link between these dynamics and climate change suggests that a warmer world may significantly influence bank erosion and associated ecosystem processes of upland alluvial systems, which are essential for comprehending frozen channel dynamics and developing strategies for habitat protection in uplands worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying rill bed incision provides fundamental information for process-based erosion modeling; while the morphodynamic and hydrodynamic mechanism in bed incision processes are still unclear. Thus, experiments were conducted to examine rill bed incision processes in upland concentrated flows. DEMs (2 mm × 2 mm resolution) obtained by photogrammetry were used for rill bed morphology analysis. Rill channel (2.0 m-long, 0.08 m-wide and 0.15 m-deep) with two slope gradients (15° and 20°) were subjected to four overland flow rates (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 L min −1 ). The results showed that sediment delivery, rill bed incision rate and average rill depth increased with inflow rate and bed slope. Sediment delivery increased from 0.060 to 0.226 kg min −1 per 1 L min −1 inflow increment and from 0.043 to 0.207 kg min −1 when bed slope increased from 15° to 20°. In a well-developed rill channel, rill bed incision could be divided into three phases: pre-headcut formation (dominated by rill flow shear stress), headcut incision (dominated by headcut advancing) and post-headcut incision (dominated by rill flow shear stress). Headcut incision phase, which only accounted for <15% of total experimental time, produced >65% of rill bed sediment. In the pre-headcut formation phase, rill flow velocity, shear stress and stream power increased with increases of inflow rate and slope gradient. Conversely, flow velocity showed no evident trend with increased inflow rate and bed slope during headcut incision phase. Initial headcut advancing rate could be predicted by a non-linear function based upon soil characteristics, rill flow shear stress and headcut height. Sediment delivery showed a power function with the product of inflow rate and squared bed slope. Because rill bed incision is dominated by headcut advancement and incision, practices for controlling headcut initiation should be implemented to decrease hillslope soil loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter (SOM) and its fractions play key roles in optimizing crop yield and improving soil quality. However, how functional SOM fractions responded to long-term fertilization and their relative importance for C sequestration were less addressed. In this study, we determined the effects of long-term fertilization on six functional SOM fractions (unprotected, physically protected, physico-biochemically protected, physico-chemically protected, chemically protected, and biochemically protected) based on two long-term fertilization experiments carried out in South China. The unprotected coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM), the biochemically and chemically protected silt-sized fractions (NH-dSilt and H-dSilt) were the primary C storage fractions under long-term fertilization, accounting for 23.6–46.2%, 15.7–19.4%, and 14.4–17.4% of the total soil organic carbon (SOC) content in upland soil and 19.5–29.3%, 9.9–15.5%, and 14.2–17.2% of the total SOC content in paddy soil, respectively. Compared with the control treatment (CK) in upland soil, the application of manure combined with mineral NPK (NPKM) resulted in an increase in the SOC content in the cPOM, pure physically protected fraction (iPOM), the physico-chemically protected (H-μSilt), and the chemically protected (H-dSilt) fraction by 233%, 166%, 124%, and 58%, respectively. Besides, the SOC increase in upland soil expressed as SOC content per unit of total SOC for iPOM, H-μSilt, cPOM and H-dSilt were the highest and as large as 283%, 248%, 194%, and 105% respectively. In paddy soil, the highest increase per unit of total SOC was H-dSilt (190%), followed by H-dClay (156%) and H-μSilt (155%). These results suggested that the upland soil could stabilize more C through the pure physical, whereas the chemical protection mechanism played a more important role in paddy soil. Chemical protection mechanism within the microaggregates played important roles in sequestrating C in both upland and paddy soils. Overall, the different responses of functional SOM fractions to long-term fertilization indicate different mechanisms for SOM cycling in terms of C sequestration under upland and paddy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The composition and distribution of vegetation have not changed for 500–1000 years. • Declines in Abies , Taxus and Pinus species are related to past land use and fire events. • Mid-Holocene woodland revival must be discussed in the light of today's many fires. The Mediterranean mountain zone is probably one of the parts of the world with the longest documented history of interactions between vegetation, climate, and human activities. The twofold objective of the present study was to examine and compare changes in three silvopastoral mountain areas, and to identify the natural and human processes that have shaped today's mountain landscapes. Although there were differences in vegetation and history between the three areas, there were also similarities in agropastoral practices, including livestock pressure and the use of fire. These similarities were supported by strong evidence based on soil charcoal and complemented by multiple other proxies (i.e., pollen analysis, archeology, historical documentation, and climatic data). The processes that led to the current physiognomy of the landscapes took place over the previous millennium, with a degree of synchrony over the past 500–800 years. The long co-evolution of humanity and landscape led us to reflect on the legacy of previous human practices and climatic changes, in terms of the composition of modern forests and the sensitivity of certain arboreal taxa (Pinus gr. sylvestris , Abies alba and Taxus baccata) that declined or disappeared during the late Holocene when the rates of vegetation change accelerated markedly. In summary, the comparative study of the history of the three highland landscapes attests to the interaction between long-term human impact (mainly pastoral societies, including livestock pressure and use of fire) and protracted climatic episodes that led to common changes in the study areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) are located at the headwaters of streams on low relief plateaus of Eastern Australia. Swamp sediment structure has a direct link to the high water tables, element cycling and carbon sequestration that are the characteristic functions of these systems. By comparing the sediment structure of intact swamps and channelised fills, we can gain an understanding of how changes in swamp geomorphology change both swamp structure and function. We examined the sedimentology of six intact and six channelised fill swamps in the Blue Mountains NSW, Australia. There were significant differences in texture, unit thickness, Carbon: Nitrogen (C:N) ratios and moisture content between intact swamps and channelised fills. The presence and thickness of unmodified contemporary sand layers in almost all channelised fills and its absence in almost all intact swamps was a distinctive structural difference. The two functional swamp layers, in terms of water and carbon storage were almost double the mean thickness in intact swamps than in channelised fills. Moisture content was 30% higher in intact swamps than in channelised fills. Mean C: N ratios for channelised fills were 25% lower than that of intact swamps. Peat forming potential, as defined by C:N ratios > 27, started at a greater depth in the sediment profile (0.9 m lower) in channelised fills than in intact swamps. It is clear from this study that these structural and functional indicators are important for assessing swamp condition and can also be useful in designing monitoring programs for management and rehabilitation that target key structural attributes that produce and maintain swamp function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Colluvial sediments as a source of information on early Middle Palaeolithic sites. • Reconstruction of early Middle Palaeolithic settlement phases based on loesses. • Correlation of colluvial and aeolian sediments from the last two glaciations. • Unique features of Podillian loess covers compared to the entire Central European loess belt. • Individual character of Pleistocene aeolian activity in the Dniester-Dnieper interfluve. This paper discusses the problems associated with determining the chronology of Palaeolithic settlements in the Podillian region and presents possible solutions to this issue, based on studies of the natural environment in two Palaeolithic centres: Buhliv and Ternopil (BPC and TPC, respectively). Problems arise from the local stratigraphic diversity of the loess-palaeosol sequences containing layers with artefacts, and their multiple redepositions result from periglacial processes. Very often, traces of ancient settlements are disturbed by continuous and/or discontinuous palaeocryogenic deformations. Consequently, it is rare to obtain Palaeolithic data in situ. In contrast, artefacts found without redeposition often lie within or on the surfaces of fossil soils. The main research materials were obtained at the early Palaeolithic site in Buhliv, whose geological profiles are incomplete. The complementary data necessary for the reconstruction of the palaeogeographical time of Palaeolithic settlements associated with cultural layers were obtained in our previous studies using multiple tools, together with luminescence dating of sediments located in close and distant proximity to the BPC, as well as in loess sites located in the TPC, especially Velykyi Glybochok. Our findings indicate that the early Middle Palaeolithic artefacts at the Buhliv site formed two stratigraphically inverted horizons, with the younger artefacts lying beneath the older ones following redeposition. The inventory of the older layers represents the oldest Podillian settlement phase. Similar materials were found in the TPC in older soil of MIS 7. The inventory of the younger layer occurred during the younger soil-forming stage of MIS 7. The disturbance and burial of both early Middle Palaeolithic settlement traces were caused by intensive slope processes that occurred in the early MIS 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Floodplain sediment storage is estimated by combining information from field-based and remote sensing approaches. • Average sediment storage of 284 and 227 Mg m−1 river length is deposited in the Gumara and Rib Rivers, respectively. • Local sediment storage is controlled by floodplain properties, morphological characteristics, and catchment-wide variables. • Sediment storage in temperate Europe is an order of magnitude higher than that of tropical catchments in Ethiopia. Floodplain sediment storage is an important component of a catchment's sediment budget. Here, we present the first quantification of floodplain sediment storage for tropical river catchments draining to Lake Tana, NW Ethiopia. The catchments are characterized by relatively gently sloping to flat lowlands towards the lake (1788 m a.s.l.) and steeper river reaches in the uplands towards Mount Guna (4120 m a.s.l.). Sediment storage for 65 homogeneous floodplain segments was estimated by combining information on floodplain spatial extent obtained through the field- and remote sensing-based approaches, with information on sediment thickness obtained through sediment coring and the analysis of river cut-banks. Extrapolation to the entire catchment was done making use of floodplain typology and following the classification scheme of Nanson and Croke (1992) and other floodplain properties and catchment-wide variables. The results showed average sediment storage of 284 Mg m−1 river length or 21,760 Mg ha−1 floodplain area for the Gumara and approx. 227 Mg m−1 river length or 16,909 Mg ha−1 floodplain area for the Rib River catchments. Total floodplain sediment storage at the catchments scale, above the upper gauging stations, amounts to 92.9 Mt and 35.5 Mt for the Gumara and Rib River catchments, respectively. At the scale of homogeneous floodplain segments, sediment storage is related to floodplain width, floodplain slope, upstream catchment area, the average slope of the upstream catchment area, sinuosity, and floodplain type. Overall, floodplain geomorphology largely controls sediment storage. Approx. 70 % of the sediment is stored in low-energy cohesive floodplains which only take up 11 % of the total river length in both catchments. For most of the total river and valley extent, where rivers are incised and have more energy, storage is limited. Comparing our findings with similar studies in temperate catchments of Europe and N -America showed that sediment storage in the Gumara and Rib Rivers is lower by approx. 1 order of magnitude, for similar-sized catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a scientific knowledge gap in locating runoff producing areas and their spatial variation in the landscape of the Ethiopian highlands and the upper Blue Nile basin. Identification of these spatial variations and runoff generation mechanisms is needed for optimum implementation of conservation measures. In many cases poor performance of soil and water conservation practices for erosion control can be traced back to non-optimum placement. A 95 ha watershed in the headwaters of the Blue Nile basin was used to investigate the runoff processes using the 2010 and 2011 monsoon, precipitation and runoff measurements made at sub-watersheds and watershed outlets. Perched water table heights and infiltration rates were also recorded. With the median infiltration rate exceeded by the rainfall intensity only 3% of the time the dominant runoff generation mechanism is found to be a saturation excess runoff process. Using the saturation excess interpretation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Curve Number method, the seven day cumulative runoff fits better to the input as 7-day cumulative effective rainfall amount than to the rainfall intensity. In a monsoon climate where the watershed is dry at the onset of the rainfall, the saturated areas and the runoff coefficients varied in the landscape (upslope locations vs downslope locations) as the rainy season progresses and available water storage adjusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a pilot geoarchaeological investigation of terraced agricultural systems near San Francisco de Sangayaico, in the upper Ica catchment of the Southern Peruvian Andes. It aims to assess the evidence for soil fertility associated with agricultural strategies practised throughout the Prehispanic, Spanish colonial and modern occupations in this region. A series of twenty-two test pits were hand excavated through two terraced field systems, and sampled to examine the changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics down-profile and downslope. This study provides the first geoarchaeological analyses of the agrarian soil system surrounding Viejo Sangayaico in the upper Ica catchment. Results demonstrate that the soil system was much modified prior to the creation of the terrace systems, probably about 900 years ago. This system was characterised by a weakly acidic to slightly calcareous pH, a consistent but low electrical conductivity, reasonable-but-variable phosphorus content, and a loamy soil texture with a component of weathered volcanic tonalite parent material. The shallow terrace soil build-up on the slopes investigated indicates that slope modification was as minimal as possible. Moreover, the relatively low frequencies of organic material and phosphorus suggest that the terraces were not heavily fertilised in the past, making the stability and management of the nutrient-rich topsoil vital. The results of these excavations and soil fertility analyses are situated within the context of the wider Andean ethno-historic and the archaeological record to address questions regarding how the terraces were built and maintained over time. Agricultural terraces undoubtedly mitigated the effects of slope erosion associated with cultivation. But, the terrace soil features observed at Sangayaico do not appear to be the same as those documented in other geoarchaeological studies of Andean terrace systems. These contrasts may be accounted for by a combination of differing geological substrate and hydrological conditions, as well as variable trajectories in past soil development, erosion factors, manuring/field management practises and crop selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) are a distinctive feature of low-relief plateaus in eastern Australia and are listed as an endangered ecological community under state and federal policy. A significant proportion of these ‘upland swamps’ occur within the World Heritage Blue Mountains of NSW. Here, long wall mining, coal seam gas extraction and catchment urbanisation are impacting on the conservation and protection status of these systems. Here we undertake a geomorphic condition assessment of these systems and analyse the range of intrinsic and extrinsic controls operating upon them. Of the 458 sites assessed, 120 (26%) were channelised fills and 338 (74%) were intact swamps. For intact swamps, 49% remain in good geomorphic condition compared to only 28% for channelised systems. Incision of these upland swamps cannot be explained by intrinsic controls such as catchment area, swamp slope, swamp size or shape relations alone. A range of interrelated extrinsic impacts associated with urbanisation are key controls on the condition and sensitivity of these systems. The most significant relationships occur between those swamps in good and moderate condition and percent of impervious area in a swamp catchment (< 10% coverage), distance to stormwater pipes and groundwater bores (both < 500 m distant), and the extent of stormwater connectivity (contain no stormwater outlets). In general, once the condition of a swamp deteriorates past good or moderate, it is impacted. In a swamp management context, identifying ‘thresholds of concern’ and treating extrinsic controls associated with human-disturbance (through either conservation or rehabilitation) has the potential to significantly impact swamp type and condition into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ensemble machine learning increseased accuracy of NPK balance models. • NPK stocks, soil erosion, MAP, DEM are very important predictors of NPK models. • The R2 of NPK balance predictions were 62%, 58%, and 58%, respectively. • Mean annual balance of NPK per hectare was −33.2 kg N, +2.70 kg P, and −74.6 kg K. Soil nutrient depletion is one of the major causes of high yield gaps and nutrient deficiencies in East Africa highlands, including Rwanda. This research sought to determine the current soil nutrient balance and its spatial variation in 10 Rwandan agro-ecological zones. Soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) depletion in croplands were calculated using data from 455 field trials of the Optimizing Fertilizer Recommendations in Africa (OFRA) project in Rwanda. Calculated soil nutrient balances (NPK) and 15 environmental covariates were used to calibrate soil nutrient depletion models using ensemble machine learning (EML) and 10-fold cross-validation. In the 2019–2020 growing season, annual N and K depletions were 33.6 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and 71.0 kg K ha−1 yr−1, with a positive P balance of 2.30 kg P ha−1 yr−1. High soil nutrient uptake and high soil nutrient loss due to erosion and leaching were two main causes of NPK depletion. Spatial variations of NPK balance were influenced by soil nutrient stocks, soil erosion, elevation, rainfall, soil texture, and soil bulk density. The 10-fold cross-validation showed that coefficients of determination (R2) of NPK models were 62%, 58%, and 58%, respectively. Compared to single models, ensemble machine learning improved NPK model accuracy up to 5%. Our research revealed that soil nutrient depletion was highest in the northwest and lowest in the southeast of the study area. We conclude that increasing soil nutrient inputs without reducing soil nutrient loss due to soil degradation will not decrease soil nutrient depletion in Rwanda and ensemble machine learning outperforms single models in predicting soil nutrient balance. The solution to reduce high soil nutrient depletion in all agro-ecological zones of Rwanda would be to prioritize soil and water conservation measures and increase soil nutrient inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Ethiopia has a large potential to develop surface irrigation, only 5% of the 30 to 70 million hectares (ha) potentially available has been developed. To examine the underlying causes of this lack of irrigation development, this study evaluates the suitability of surface water irrigation for the Lake Tana Basin development corridor. Surface water availability and land potentially suitable for irrigation development were considered. Surface water potential was examined by analyzing long-term daily historical river discharges. Land suitable for irrigation was determined with a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation, which considers the interaction of various factors such as climate, river proximity, soil type, land cover, topography/slope, and market outlets. The results indicate that nearly 20% of the Lake Tana Basin is suitable for surface irrigation. However, after analyzing 27 years of river discharge, less than 3% of the potential irrigable area (or less than 0.25% of the basin area) could be irrigated consistently with runoff from the river systems. Thus, the irrigation potential in the Lake Tana Basin can be met by increasing dry season flows, by improving upland infiltration, by supplying water from reservoirs, or by pumping water directly from Lake Tana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of models to identify soil erosion processes, estimate sediment accumulations into lakes, technically design best management practices, and monitor and evaluate different management scenarios in the Ethiopian highlands has been growing. However, proper model implementation will require verification of the model against known output parameters. This study investigated the performance and applicability of one such model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Sequential Uncertainty Fitting-2 (SUFI-2), a SWAT-CUP2012 sub-module computer program, was applied to optimize the parameters of the SWAT using monthly observed sediment yield data at a monitoring site in Maybar experimental watershed, Ethiopia. Thirteen hydrological years were used for model calibration, validation and uncertainty analysis. Multi-objective function statistics: P-factor (23%, 12%), R-factor (0.63, 0.40), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, NSE (0.55, 0.53), root mean square error-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR) (0.67, 0.69), coefficient of determination, R 2 (0.55, 0.52), and percent bias, PBIAS (− 14.6%, 0.8%) for calibration and validation, respectively were obtained. The model evaluation statistics suggested that SWAT extremely under-predicted peak sediment loads in both calibration and validation periods. However, according to model evaluation guidelines and performance ratings, modeled sediment yield can be rated as satisfactory. Although the accuracy of modeling of soil erosion processes using SWAT is likely affected by spatial variation of watershed characteristics, and scale of management, among other factors, Maybar calibrated SWAT model do suggest a broad guide: prediction of sediment yield at ungauged watershed with SWAT could be possible under comparable topography, land use, soil, management and climate condition for the purpose of soil erosion assessment, scenario analysis, and recommendation of best management practices to support watershed management initiatives in the Ethiopian highlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient use of organic amendments and changing cropping pattern are important management strategies for restoring the degraded upland soils of Himalayan region. This study was conducted to determine the quantitative effect of poultry manure (PM) and wheat straw residues (WSR) repetitively applied alone or in combination with urea N (UN) on physical and chemical properties of soil under wheat–soybean cropping sequence over three years (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11). Treatments included PM 100 , WSR 100 , PM 50 + WSR 50 , UN 100 , UN 50 + PM 50 , UN 50 + WSR 50 , UN 50 + PM 25 + WSR 25 and a control. Added amendments were applied on N equivalent basis at the rate of 100 kg N ha − 1 . Results indicated that organic amendments applied alone or in combination with UN significantly improved soil physical characteristics by lowering bulk density 7–12%, penetration resistance 3–4% and increasing hydraulic conductivity 15–32%, and aggregate stability 13–35%. Application of UN 100 alone was ineffective in improving any of these characteristics. Combination of organic–inorganic amendments increased soil organic matter content by 3–9%, total N 14–29%, available P 5–35% and extractable K 12–39%. Response of micronutrient to organic or organic–inorganic amendments was even higher than that recorded for macronutrients. Organic amendments increased soil pH while UN displayed acidifying effect. The C sequestration and nutrient pool of the soil amended with WSR remained rich over PM even though PM contains a lot more nutrients. The study clearly demonstrated that organic amendments applied alone or combined with UN improved the physical characteristic and fertility status of the soils and may be considered as a useful management strategy for restoration of degraded soils in the mountain ecosystem of the Himalayan region of Kashmir, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Sneeuberg uplands in the eastern Karoo are wetter than lowland sites with >400mm of rainfall. For over 150years, until recently, they have been overgrazed: largely by sheep. The landscape consists of badlands, less degraded areas and networks of gullies occupying the valley floors and hillside depressions. These gullies have been relatively stable since at least 1945. The age of the gullies is controversial but various authors have speculated that they result from European incursion from the late 18th century onwards. Reconsideration of the relationship between vlei (wetland) deposits in the valley bottoms and gullies suggest that the gullies must post-date late Holocene development of vlei conditions. Incision by gullies would have resulted in a drying out of wetlands which occurred later and allowed cultivation of many valley bottoms for wheat and fodder crops. Gullies may have developed from deliberate attempts to drain wetlands for agriculture. They are also likely to have formed from wagon tracks and a changed hydrology resulting from overgrazing and vegetation degradation on valley bottoms and hillslopes. In other parts of South Africa it has been suggested that gullies result from climatic impacts including instability in the Little Ice Age. This study should be seen in the context of an on-going global debate about the role of climate and human mismanagement of the natural landscape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Polygenetic soils developed in extraglacial areas. • Deep sediment decalcification during the Eemian Interglacial. • Resumption of the pedological clock in the Vistulian. • Sand-wedge casts play the role of geochemical corridors. Three soil profiles at the Koczery site (E Poland), studied through soil and sediment evaluation, reveal a polygenetic development of soils in areas unglaciated during the Weichselian glaciation (MIS 2) period. Pedogenesis had developed on glacial till (till) in period from the Saalian glaciation (MIS 6) to the Holocene (MIS 1). Wide-spectrum analyses demonstrate that the profiles represent a Planosol. Four stages (I–IV) of soil formation were distinguished in the study area. Stage I, comprising of a nutrient- and element-rich material, correlates to the accumulation of Saalian glacial till (MIS 6). Stage II, that took place during the Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e), corresponds to the initial development of Cambisol as a result of carbonate leaching process. This was followed by the development of a Luvisol through the processes of illuviation of clay minerals and iron components. Stage III bears evidence of intensive frost weathering processes along with a development of sand-wedge cast that occurred under permafrost conditions of Weichselian glaciation (MIS 2). Further, the formation of an aeolian pavement along with erosion and removal of upper portions of the Eemian soil took place. An accumulation of coeval-age coversand led to a restart of the pedological clock, which resulted in the development of cryogenically-altered soils. Stage IV ushered the Holocene (MIS 1) delivering a progressive development of pedogenesis together with plant-succession modifications under temperate-climate conditions. Brunic or luvic horizons are formed within the coversand deposits. Pseudogleyic conditions developed along the lithological discontinuities. Of note, sand-wedge casts (SWCs) occupy specific locations in the profiles that provide the vertical migration of water, base components and iron. Reducing conditions that occurred along the bottom of ice-wedge casts favour the formation of gleyic horizon. SWCs that have been ultimately modified into ice-wedge and acted as sand-wedge-affiliated geochemical corridors (SWGC) for shallow groundwater forming natural tile drains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extractability of Pu in field agricultural soils was studied for the first time. • Water soluble fraction of Pu was likely to be plant bioavailable. • The ATF of Pu from soil to rice varied between 6.9 × 10−3 and 1.7 × 10−1. • ATF could characterize the transfer ability of Pu better than TF. We present the first investigation of the extractability of global fallout Pu from agricultural soils under natural conditions and its potential for indication of Pu bioavailability. On average, the nominal water soluble and exchangeable Pu fractions in sampled upland field soils were 0.07 ± 0.07% and 0.02 ± 0.01%, respectively, while those fractions in the rice paddy soils were 0.10 ± 0.06% and 0.03 ± 0.02%, respectively. Sequential extraction results indicated that the dominant sinks of Pu in both upland and paddy soils were the immobile organic matter fraction and the immobile residual fraction. Furthermore, both the water soluble and NH 4 OAc exchangeable Pu percentages showed a significant negative correlation with the exchangeable Ca2+ concentration in the soils. Regarding the potential plant bioavailability of Pu, we observed a positive correlation (r = 0.549, p = 0.034) between the Pu concentration in rice and the water soluble Pu concentration in the corresponding rice paddy soils, and that illustrated the water soluble Pu fraction was likely to be available for rice plant uptake. This bioavailable fraction was further applied in evaluating the available transfer factor (ATF) of Pu by dividing the Pu concentration in rice with the bioavailable Pu concentration in the corresponding soil. The ATFs of Pu from soil to rice plant ranged from 6.9 × 10−3 to 1.7 × 10−1. Statistical analysis indicated the ATF data were less discrete compared with the conventional transfer factor (TF). Therefore, we consider the ATF to be more representative than the TF to illustrate the transfer ability of Pu from soil to rice plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The applicability of a theoretical overland flow resistance equation is tested. • The overland flow resistance law is calibrated for grassland habitats. • The overland flow resistance law considers vegetation temporal variability effect. • The seasonal variation effect of grassland on flow resistance can be neglected. • Reliable estimates of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor are obtained. Sediments conveyed from interrill areas to rills are transported by a thin flow (overland flow) and the knowledge of overland flow resistance is useful to evaluate overland flow velocity and sediment transport capacity. The aim of this paper was to verify the applicability of a theoretical overland flow resistance law, based on a power-velocity distribution, using field measurements for four upland grassland types used in different management strategies (Hay Meadows, Low-density Grazing, Rushes and Rank Grassland). Particular attention was deserved to the effects of vegetation growth cycles on the surface roughness and the corresponding reduction of overland flow velocity. The relationship between the parameter Γ of the power velocity profile, the flow Froude number and the Reynolds number, obtained by dimensional analysis, was calibrated using the available data. A specific calibration for each upland grassland type and taking into account the temporal phases of the vegetation growth was also carried out. The theoretical approach, checked by the available field measurements, allowed to establish that a) the proposed theoretical flow resistance law, which considers also the effect of the flow Reynolds number, allows an accurate estimate of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor, b) the theoretical overland flow resistance law considers the temporal variability of vegetation characteristics, c) this flow resistance law can be specifically calibrated for taking into account for each upland grassland type the effect of the vegetation temporal variability and d) a low effect of the seasonal variation of roughness in grassland environments is detected. The interrill soil erosion processes are strongly related to hillslope hydraulics and the proposed overland flow resistance law is useful to model soil erosion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inappropriate agricultural practices and conversion of marginal land to cultivation and grazing have led to severe land degradation in the Ethiopian highlands. Consequently, the government has invested substantial resources in soil and water conservation (SWC). One of such interventions was exclosure, which was aimed restoring biodiversity, biomass and soil fertility. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of exclosures on soil fertility restoration and examine its variability across age, agro-ecology and landscape position. The study was conducted in the Gubalafto district of North Wello Zone, northern Ethiopian highlands. Vegetation cover was estimated and soil samples were collected from three age categories (open sites, 10- and 27-year-old exclosures), two agro-ecological zones (mild and cool) and in three landscape positions (lower, mid and upper). The samples were analyzed for selected soil physico-chemical properties using standard laboratory procedures. The results were statistically tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Vegetation ground and canopy cover increased with exclosure age. The soils of the exclosures showed significantly higher organic carbon (9g/kg) and total nitrogen content (1.2g/kg p≤0.06 at α=0.05) than the open sites. However, no statistical significant difference was observed between the 10- and 27-year-old exclosures, indicating that the restoration rate decreased with increasing exclosure age. This could be related to the low quantity and quality of the biomass, which influenced organic matter input and mineralization. Exclosures in the mild zone showed significantly higher soil fertility restoration than those in the cool zone. The differences between the two zones could be attributed to the effect of micro-climate on biomass production, vegetation types and organic matter mineralization. The soil physico-chemical properties neither had significant differences nor followed a regular trend across the landscape positions. The non-significant soil fertility restoration variation across the landscape positions could be attributed to complementary effect of structural SWC measures. Therefore, exclosure implementation and utilization planning should consider soil fertility restoration variation with age, agro-ecology and management conditions of the respective exclosure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Soil erosion, in its myriad forms, devastates arable land and infrastructure. As an integral landscape feature, gully erosion is a complex system as its evolution is controlled by upstream migration of a gully head (headcut face), incision of the gully bed (plunge pool) and gravitational mass-movement (widening) on gully channel sidewalls. Bed incision is often limited by the presence of a less erodible soil layer. When erosion reaches such a layer, the gully typically widens, creating a wide shallow cross section. Once a gully is initiated, transport and deposition of the eroded soil and widening of the channel further govern its evolution. Our knowledge of these processes within agricultural regions, however, is still quite limited with theory largely borrowed from river hydraulics. Experiments were conducted to examine gully expansion (widening) as a function of channel slope and overland flow discharge. Packed soil beds were subjected to simulated rainstorms followed by clear-water overland flow. As bed slope and discharge increased, channel widening increased. An empirical equation, based upon measured channel width from constant discharge experiments, was developed in terms of slope and discharge. By further quantifying key aspects of gully erosion processes, results from this experimental campaign will significantly improve soil erosion prediction technology for use in agricultural regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spatial and temporal variation in river bank erosion rates in a British upland catchment was quantified over a 2year period using a network of erosion pins. Potential causal mechanisms and site-specific controls of this erosion were examined through bivariate analyses and significance testing. Problems with existing process-inference methodologies were identified and addressed through the application of a novel technique involving the disaggregation of erosion pin data using a combination of morphodynamic behaviour descriptors and hierarchical cluster analysis. Observed mean bank erosion rates were comparable with those reported from similar-sized upland catchments in temperate environments elsewhere but considerable spatial and temporal variation was detected. Site-specific parameters, including bank material properties and the presence or absence of livestock grazing, could not explain the observed variation in bank erosion rates. Fluvial processes were identified as the dominant driver of morphological activity in the study area, contesting the notion that subaerial processes are more significant in the headwater reaches of river catchments. The disturbed morphological status of streams in the study area may explain the findings and the results indicate that the existence and spatial organisation of “process-intensity domains” may be influenced by extreme geomorphological events and/or wider catchment-scale changes that have affected hydrology and sediment supply processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sediment transport in the Ribera Salada stream was estimated from continuous suspended and bedload monitoring between 2005 and 2008. The Ribera Salada basin is a mountainous perennial river in the Southern Pyrenees and is representative of the extensive forestry land use in this upland region. Water and sediment fluxes have been analysed with the aim of determining the thresholds, duration, ranges and relative contributions of the two sediment transport modes (suspended and bedload), and their variability in relation to the basin''s annual hydrology. The stream''s hydrology in the first two sampling years was average in the context of a 10-yr series of the basin, while 2007–2008 can be classified as a wet year. The specific total sediment load during the study period amounted to 12tkm− 2y− 1, a low value compared with similar Mediterranean counterparts. The maximum load (31.5tkm− 2y− 1) was observed during the wettest year of the monitoring programme. During average years most of the total load (>90%) was transported in suspension; consequently, suspended sediment transport is more frequent through time. In contrast, bedload occurs sporadically during floods that exceed certain hydraulic thresholds, corresponding to a flow equalled or exceeded 4% of the time, that yields an average shear stress of ∼35Nm− 2. Under such conditions bedload transport becomes relevant and, if the threshold is frequently exceeded as in relatively wet years such as 2007–2008, may constitute the majority of the total sediment load (74%). This paper provides new evidence of the distinct role of sediment transport modes in stable fluvial environments where only sporadic inputs of surplus energy (flow discharge) determine the dominant mode, magnitude and duration of their respective contribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Little is known on the hydrological behavior of the volcanic ash soils, which are characterized by extremely high porosities and hydraulic conductivities. In this study the occurrence and hydrological effects of water repellency were investigated at a plot scale for different types of land use and volcanic soils in Mexican volcanic highlands from Michoacan, Mexico: [1] fir, pine and oak mixed forest soils developed from lavas, [2] soils developed from volcanic ashes and pyroclastic sediments under sparse fir, pine and oak forest and shrubland, [3] pine and oak forested soils developed from lavas and pyroclastic sediments, and [4] bare soils on recent ash sediments in plain surfaces. Soil water repellency was assessed using the water drop penetration time test and rainfall simulations were performed on circular plots (50 cm in diameter) during 30 min and at an intensity of 90 mm h−1 in order to study the hydrological response of each area. The return period for storms with a similar intensity in the area is 10 years. The shape and depth of the wetting front after simulated rainfall was also analyzed. Soil water repellency showed a high variability among the different studied zones. Organic matter content, soil texture and acidity were the most important factors for developing hydrophobicity. A wide range of soil water repellency classes (hydrophilic to severely water-repellent soils) has been found in soils under dense fir, pine and oak mixed forests or shrubland, while inexistent or slight water repellency has been observed in soils under sparse forest or at bare ash-covered areas. At a plot scale, marked differences in the hydrological behavior of the studied land use and soil zones were observed after the rainfall simulations. Soil water repellency contributes to fast ponding and runoff generation during the first stages of rainstorms. Runoff was enhanced in water-repellent forested soils (average runoff coefficients between 15.7 and 19.9%), in contrast to hydrophilic or slightly water-repellent soils, where runoff rates were lower (between 1.0 and 11.7%). Shallow and irregular wetting fronts were observed at water-repellent zones, reducing the soil water storage capacity. The implications of soil water repellency in soil hydrology and erosion risk in the area shed light on the soil hydrology of the studied ecosystems, and can contribute to develop better management policies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study presents a Holocene sediment budget for the upland catchment of the Speyerbach in the Palatinate Forest, southwestern Germany. The influences of both, data availability and the choice of an appropriate soilscape model on the sediment budget calculations are investigated. For budget calculations the spatial distribution of soils was derived from the soil map 1:50,000. Thickness values of soil truncation and colluvial burial were extracted from two soil data sets with varying information content. Data processing contained a disaggregation of the soil map with the help of land use data. In order to model the sediment budget a reference soil thickness (a so-called soilscape model), which represents the initial conditions is necessary. As upland soils are developed in periglacial solifluction sheets, the main solifluction sheet (MSS, “Hauptlage”) showing a constant thickness and being affected by soil forming processes was chosen. Determining the initial thickness of the MSS is a crucial point, as a comparison of reference values shows. The literature values are actual thicknesses and differ significantly between 30 and 100 cm among various studies. Therefore a statistical model using the local profile descriptions of the soil database for the Speyerbach catchment was set up. We found that the 95 percentile worked best to extract the depths of pristine soils. Hence, a pristine soil profile depth of 60 or 70 cm could be extracted for the Speyerbach catchment. Calculating the sediment budget for 60 cm returns a sediment delivery rate (SDR) of 64.8%. With a soilscape model of 70 cm a catchment SDR of 83.2% can be derived, which is 18.4% higher than the first one. The computed SDR is twice as high as the SDR determined by Houben et al. [Houben, P., Burggraaf, P., Hoffmann, T., Kleefeld, K., Zimmermann, A., Dikau, R., 2007. Reconstructing Holocene land-use change and sediment budgets in the Rhine system. PAGES News 15 (1), 17–18.] and Rommens et al. [Rommens, T., Verstraeten, G., Poesen, J., Govers, G., Van Rompaey, A.J.J., Peeters, I., Lang, A., 2005. Soil erosion and sediment deposition in the Belgian loess belt during the Holocene: establishing a sediment budget for a small agricultural catchment. The Holocene 15 (7), 1032–1043.]. This may reflect differences in physio-geographical settings and settlement history between a loess covered basin catchment and a deeply furrowed upland catchment. Since no datings or proxy data are available, the classification to individual settlement periods and furthermore an estimation of human impact is not possible yet. Future work will address the estimation of human impact by the analysis of historical data and datings of colluvial layers as well as a field validation of the computed sediment budgets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The susceptibility of loess soils in the lower Mississippi to runoff and erosion losses varies as a function of landscape position and mapping units. This study was conducted to determine the effects of soil drainage on physical and chemical properties that influence erodibility through their control of aggregate stability. Soil samples were collected from the A- and B-horizons of the five representative pedons in the Memphis catena whose drainage class varied from well-drained to poorly-drained. The fine earth fraction (<2 mm) of each soil was characterized for a range of basic soil physical and chemical properties. Additional sub-samples (<8 mm) were placed in a rainfall simulator pan (0.6 m×0.6 m test area) and subjected to simulated rainfall at an intensity of 64 mm h−1. Soil erodibility was assessed by the use of an aggregation index (AI) computed from water dispersible clay (WDC) relative to total clay contents. The data show that as soil drainage classes became wetter, the percentage of sediment <53 µm increased with a decrease in soil AI resulting from a loss of Fe, Al, and Si oxide cementing agents. These results suggest that cementing agents responsible for soil aggregate stabilization are mobilized under conditions of relatively low redox potentials which increase soil erodibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Peat is a common land surface material in many countries of the world and is particularly important in upland regions of the UK. Peat landscapes represent an important land use for hill farming, water management, and shooting, and are a globally scarce resource. Wind is a fundamental characteristic of upland environments in the UK and has long been recognised as a significant factor in peat erosion. This paper presents the first results of a project that aims to determine the significance of wind action in the erosion of upland peat. Wind erosion monitoring is being undertaken at Moor House in the North Pennines on a 3-ha area of relatively flat, sparsely vegetated peat. Measurements using arrays of passive horizontal mass flux gauges (fixed orientation vertical slot gauges), together with a vertical array of mass flux samplers (directional), provide estimates of sediment flux. A micrometeorological station records local wind speed (four heights), wind direction, rainfall, soil moisture, and temperature conditions. For 1999 and 2000, the annual horizontal net erosion flux is 0.46 and 0.48 t ha−1, respectively. Results of detailed monitoring over a 10-month period demonstrate that the peat sediment flux collected in windward- and leeward-oriented sediment traps on 10 separate occasions is between 3 and 12 times greater in the windward-facing traps. The concentration of peat with height decays rapidly and the majority of the peat is transported close to the ground surface. Above 0.3 m, very little peat is found. Significant horizontal fluxes of peat occur in both wet and dry periods. This is evaluated using the local micrometeorological data to try and predict sediment yields. Correlations among time-averaged friction velocity measurements, surface conditions, and sediment flux are complex. Event-based measurements, as opposed to cumulative sediment yields, are required to resolve this. These results quantify for the first time the significance of wind action in the erosion of peat in a UK upland environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • African Highland farmers are aware of and use soil health indicators. • The key indicators are vegetation performance and soil colour. • Very few indicators influence land management decisions. • There is a need for enhanced soil knowledge sharing across the highlands. • Integration of local knowledge and conventional soil testing is needed. Improving soil health is necessary for increasing agricultural productivity and providing multiple ecosystem services. In the African Highlands (AH) where conversion of forests to cultivation on steep slopes is leading to soil degradation, sustainable land management practices are vital. Farmers' awareness of soil health indicators (SHI) influences their choice of land management and needs to be better understood to improve communication between land managers and other stakeholders in agricultural systems. This study aims to collate and evaluate case study analyses of farmers' awareness and use of soil health indicators in African Highlands. This is achieved by using a multi-method approach that combines a meta-summary analysis of AH's SHI data from 24 published studies together with farmer interviews in the East Usambara Mountain region of Tanzania (EUM). Our findings show that farmers across the AH use observable attributes of the landscape as SHI. Out of 16 SHI reported by the farmers, vegetation performance/crop yield and soil colour were most frequently used across the AH. These were also the only two SHI that influenced farmers' land management decisions in the EUM, where organic manure addition was the only land management option resulting from observed changes in SHI. Farmers' use of only one or two SHI in land management decisions, as is the case in the EUM, seems to limit their choice and/or adoption of sustainable land management options, highlighting the need to increase awareness and use of more relevant SHI. This could be achieved by sharing SHI knowledge through learning alliances and agricultural extension service. Integration of farmers' observation techniques and conventional soil testing in a hybrid approach is recommended for a more targeted assessment of soil health to inform appropriate and sustainable land management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Identified probable distribution of Fe-Mn concentrations in uplands loess soil in mid-continental North America. • Spatially predicted the favorable environment for occurrence of Fe-Mn concentration in upland loess soils. • Utilized the soil-forming factors as data for prediction of Fe-Mn concentrations over a large area. • Combined pedological knowledge with machine learning to study the distribution and occurrence of Fe-Mn concentrations. Iron-manganese (Fe-Mn) concentrations are common morphological indicators of soil oxidation-reduction reactions and are widely used to infer soil hydrology. The factors determining occurrence and distribution of Fe-Mn concentrations at the continental scale have been rarely studied. The objective of this study was to explore the distribution of Fe-Mn concentrations in upland loess soils and identify their favorable environment conditions in the mid-continental North America. A total of 3966 soil profiles were collected from the National Soil Information System database (NASIS). A decision tree (DT) model was used to analyze the spatial relationships between Fe-Mn concentration formation and its relevant environmental factors (climate, soil properties, and land use/land cover), and to identify key factors of Fe-Mn concentrations distribution and occurrence in upland loess soils. The DT model was evaluated with 25% validation dataset with an accuracy of 79%. Results showed that Fe-Mn concentrations were more likely to occur in mesic areas with large precipitation and low internal soil drainage rates, compared to frigid and thermic areas with low precipitation and large internal soil drainage rates. Annual precipitation and temperature were identified as the most important climatic factors influencing the occurrence of Fe-Mn concentrations and showed a complex interaction with soil properties at multiple scales. Soil properties related to potential wet to saturated soil conditions were also important for the occurrence of Fe-Mn concentrations. Results demonstrated the importance of using knowledge of pedogenesis in the selection of environmental covariates and the interpretation of DT model results. Understanding where Fe-Mn concentrations tend to form in the landscape will contribute to improving decisions about proper use of soil that may be limited by wetness and possible inferences about climate influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• China's upland soils present significant regional differences in the MRT a and MRT s. • The upland soils showed longer MRT a and MRT s than the paddy soils. • The soil texture dominated the regional variations of MRT a and MRT s in cropland soils. Using active (C a) and slow (C s) soil organic carbon (SOC) pools to simulate changes in SOC stocks has been determined to be a major improvement over treating SOC as a single, homogeneous pool. However, regional patterns and primary controls of the mean residence times of the C a (MRT a) and C s (MRT s) pools in China's croplands are largely unknown. In this study, a total of 373 samples from six regions were analysed based on a 100-d incubation experiment. The data from acid hydrolysis-incubation experiments were fitted to a three-pool first-order kinetics model that estimated MRT a = 1/K a and MRT s = 1/K s (K a and K s represent the decomposition rate constants of the C a and C s pools, respectively). The results showed that significant regional differences were found in the MRT a and MRT s in the surface upland soils (0–20 cm) across China, in which the longest MRT a and MRT s values were 72 d in the north China and 24.0 yr in the northeast China, the shortest MRT a and MRT s values were 12 d and 4.7 yr, respectively, both in the south-central China, while relatively small regional differences were observed in the values of the surface paddy soils (0–20 cm). Both the MRT a and the MRT s in upland soils (average: 30 d and 13.5 yr) were longer than the corresponding values in the paddy soils (average: 11 d and 5.4 yr), especially in the southwest China. Thus, the carbon sequestration potential of paddy soils needs to be revalued. The climate could partly explain the regional distribution of the MRT a and MRT s in the surface upland and paddy soils in China; however, as Chinese agricuture intensified from 1980 to 2010, the regional variabilities of MRT a and MRT s in the surface upland and paddy soils were primarily dominated by the soil texture. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the destruction of mechanical composition caused by land-use change or conventional tillage methods when faced with future carbon sequestration in croplands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil organic matter (SOM) and humic substances (HS) were affected by land-use changes in upland pastures. • Changes in quantity and quality of SOM and HS could be used as indicators of soil degradation and restoration. • Subsurface soil layer of pasture ecosystems had a great C recovery potential after dry-farming abandonment. • SOM and HS were not completely recovered to initial level after abandonment of dry-farming for 30 years. • Abandonment of cultivation and tillage offers an opportunity for C sequestration in semi-humid-pasture soils. Soil recovery, particularly soil organic matter (SOM), after land-use changes is crucial for the maintenance of ecosystem functioning and sustainability. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of wheat dry-farming and subsequent abandonment of dry-farming on the quantity and quality of SOM and humic substances (HS) in a semi-humid upland pasture ecosystem. Soil samples were collected at 0–15 and 15–30 cm depths from cultivated pastures under dry-farming, restored pastures after dry-farming abandonment and never-cultivated pastures as a reference site. The samples were analyzed for total organic C (TOC), chemically labile organic C (LOC) and non-labile C (NLC) fractions; and further fractionated into conventional fulvic acid (FA), humic acid (HA) and humin (HU) components. Land-use changes in pastures altered both labile C and highly recalcitrant C fractions, depending on soil sampling depth. Long-term dry-farming reduced soil TOC (33%), LOC (64%) and NLC (29%) fractions, while dry-farming abandonment resulted in an increase in soil TOC (18–35%), LOC (45–65%) and NLC (17–33%), depending on the age of cultivation abandonment. The quantity of both FA and HU fractions decreased (40–43%) following dry-farming in pasture soils but increased (17–81%) after dry-farming abandonment when compared with cultivated pasture soils. Nevertheless, neither dry-farming nor abandonment of dry-farming affected the HA fraction. Although dry-farming practices increased the HA/FA ratio, (FA + HA)/TOC ratio and E4/E6 ratio of HA, the abandonment of dry-farming reduced these qualitative parameters of soil HS. Dry-farming abandonment in native pastures caused HA structure to be become more aromatic and stable. This study indicated that land-use changes in primary pastures can affect not only the quantity, but also the quality of SOM and its major fractions. Changes in both quantity and quality of SOM and HS could be used as sensitive indicators of soil degradation and ecological restoration in semi-humid pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A post-fire soil quality index (SQI) was computed for fire-affected rangelands. • SQI was lower in burnt than unburnt semi-arid rangelands. • Microbial properties were the key indicators of post-fire soil quality. • Soil quality of fire-affected rangelands did not recover after two years. • A SQI is helpful to assess post-fire soil functions using microbial properties. Recovery of soil quality after wildfire is essential for soil functioning such as nutrient cycling, resistance to biochemical degradation and sustainable plant growth. Post-fire soil quality is crucial for the maintenance of ecosystem sustainability. The objective of this study was to develop a soil quality index (SQI) for assessing post-fire soil quality in upland rangeland ecosystems of a semi-arid region in Central Iran. Soil samples were collected from burnt and unburnt plots at six rangeland sites two years after a wildfire event and analyzed for 22 soil properties. The soil microbial and biochemical properties indicated a greater magnitude of post-fire changes than soil chemical properties. The contribution of microbial respiration to soil quality, obtained using factor analysis, was the highest (36%) followed by particulate organic carbon (22%), microbial biomass carbon (15%), available phosphorus (15%) and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity (12%). This indicates that microbial properties, labile carbon and phosphorus availability are the most important soil quality indicators to detect the wildfire effects in the study rangelands. The SQI value was, on average, 28% lower in burnt rangelands (0.39–0.55) than unburnt rangelands (0.56–0.75); indicating disturbance by wildfire would be accompanied by the loss of soil functioning. This illustrates that fire decreased soil quality, which did not recover two years after fire, probably due to the high grazing pressure and climatic conditions (i.e., longer drought periods and water limitation). Apparently, a longer period of time would be required for the complete recovery of soil quality in these semi-arid rangelands. In this study, we demonstrate that an integrated SQI would be more useful to assess post-fire soil functions than single soil properties in fire-affected rangelands of semi-arid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The impact of paved road runoff (RF) on road shoulder edge erosion is rarely studied. • RF greatly increases soil loss from the road shoulder edge due to concentrated flow. • The road shoulder edge intersection angle (IA) is a key factor in soil erosion. • IAs affect rill size variations and thus drive different effects of RF on soil loss. In upland areas, paved farm roads (PFRs) change surface hydrological characteristics and may affect soil erosion. The effect of runoff from PFR (hereafter, road runoff) on soil erosion at the road shoulder edge was investigated at two rainfall intensities (50 and 75 mm/h) under laboratory conditions. Two road shoulder edges (i.e., acute angle (AA) and right angle (RA) intersections between the road shoulder and soil surface) were simulated at a 10° slope, and road runoff rates were applied of 0.4 and 0.6 m3/h, which are typical rates for a 2 m wide road under 50 and 75 mm/h rainfall intensity, respectively. A surface without road runoff served as a control (CK). The experiments showed that at the 50 mm/h rainfall intensity, no surface runoff was generated for the CK, while the mean surface runoff was 0.34 and 0.38 m3/h for RA and AA, respectively; at the 75 mm/h rainfall intensity, the mean runoff and sediment yields increased to 9–15 times that of the CK. The road runoff caused rill erosion, shortening the surface runoff initiation time and greatly increasing the sediment loss for AA and RA. Moreover, road shoulder edge patterns impacted soil erosion by influencing the confluence patterns of road runoff, surface runoff and rill development. Because the soil surface is low for AA, it promotes a more concentrated flow along the road shoulder than RA, potentially limiting lateral erosion and downward erosion during rainfall. Indeed, compared to AA, on average, the rill length for RA was 13%-28% shorter, the rill depth and width were 9%-65% greater; and the sediment yield was 26%-64% higher. Therefore, road runoff increases soil loss near the road shoulder, and it is necessary to either divert road runoff away from the shoulder or reduce flow erosivity through appropriate land management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The deposits occur on saprolitic material in unconformity contact. • The origin of the sediments would be the lateritic coverings. • The overlying transported cover show an upside-down lateritic profile. • Kaolinite crystal properties show discontinuities along the deposits. • The climatic and tectonic factors controlled the depositional processes. The Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), Southeastern Brazil, is a very important tropical highland region in the world's geological context for its large and diverse Archean and Proterozoic rocks with great reserves of gold, iron, manganese, aluminum and industrial rocks, on a apparently stable geological structure. There, Cenozoic deposits perched on highland valleys show unclear genetic relationships with the underlying bedrock, with no apparent regional correlation. We studied five representative Cenozoic deposits (BR356, Água Limpa, Padre Domingos, Pau Branco and Casa de Pedra) on the highlands of the Serra da Moeda syncline, Western QF, to answer the question of their sedimentological origin, and investigate their pedological evolution. Field sampling was complemented by macromorphological, mineralogical and micromorphological analysis supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared analysis (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micropobre and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The evolution of these isolated highland deposits comprises a deep-weathered source area, a tectonic activity, besides sedimentological and pedological processes, during and after the deposition. The deposits overlie deep saprolites of Precambrian rocks (Piracicaba and Itabira Groups), representing unconformable contact. The onset of the deposition was marked by torrential, coarse colluvial and large blocks landslides into the small basins generated by reactivating tectonic events during the Oligocene, producing local grabens. These tectonic basins were filled by cohesive debris and mudflow from the adjacent and previously laterized cover, developed under the hot and humid climate in the Eocene. The cover reveals an upside-down lateritic profile where morphology and kaolinite crystal properties (values of size of coherent scattering thickness ranging from 135 Å to 162 Å) in the bottom is related to the pedolith horizons of the former lateritic cover. Later, due to climate changes (during and after the Miocene), renewed weathering on these pre-weathered sediments occurred, characterized by alternating ferruginization and Fe-losses, with the superimposed generation of new pedogenic features such as nodules, ferruginous duricrusts and mottling (redox features). In addition to demonstrating that the Brazilian platform was not stable during the Cenozoic, these deposits reveal the role of polygenetic tropical pedological processes in their formation and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Particle characteristics of clay rock derived soils were analyzed. • A determination method of multi-mineral sand particles (MSPs) was established. • MSP content in shale-derived soils was higher than that in mudstone-derived soils. • Characteristics of clay rock soils lie on the process of diagenesis and pedogenesis. Multi-mineral sand particles (MSPs), commonly found in upland soils, can change the erosion properties, structure, moisture level, porosity, and permeability of soil; however, their effects are generally neglected in previous studies. In this study, we explored the morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size distribution (PSD), aggregation state, and mineralogy of soils derived from two types of clay rocks containing MSPs: shale and mudstone. The results showed that: (1) small lamellate bodies formed granules and blocks in a face-to-face or side-to-side manner and that the aggregation particles ranged from several to tens of microns in diameter, which increased gradually in a downslope direction; (2) the sand content in shale- and mudstone-derived soils decreased from 41.0% and 31.3%, respectively, on the summit to 19.6% and 18.4%, respectively, on the toeslope, whereas their clay content increased from 23.3% and 20.2% to 45.0% and 38.9%, respectively; (3) regarding the aggregation states of soil particles, the content of 0.25–2 mm MSPs in the shale- and mudstone-derived soils decreased from 62.9% and 45.2%, respectively, on the summit to 7.1% and 1.4%, respectively, on the toeslope, with averages of 42.3% and 20.8%, respectively. The content of 0.25–2 mm aggregates in the shale- and mudstone-derived soils increased from 9.1% and 6.2%, respectively, on the summit to 44.4% and 21.1%, respectively, on the toeslope, with averages of 21.5% and 14.2%, respectively; and (4) the mineralogy of the clay rock-derived soils and MSPs was generally dominated by illite, montmorillonite, vermiculite and calcite, which was similar to the mineralogy of the parent rocks. Therefore, a large amount of MSPs was found in clay rock-derived soils whose particle characteristics were determined by the environment of diagenesis and the physical weathering of pedogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The loess-paleosol section (MIS 5e to MIS 3) on the Russian Upland was studied. • OSL and 14C-dates were obtained for paleosols, sediments, and cryogenic deformations. • For MIS 5e interglacial the duration of pedogenesis was estimated from 12 to 15 ka. • Stages of periglacial conditions during the early, middle and late Valdai were dated. • The obtained chrono-stratigraphic scheme was correlated with other ones in Europe. New results on stratigraphy and chronology, obtained on the basis of OSL and 14C-dating of paleosols, sediments, and cryogenic deformations in the Aleksandrov quarry situated at the Central Russian Upland, are discussed. Due to the location of the site in a paleodepression, the section presents various stages of soil formation, cryogenesis and sedimentation starting from the Mikulino interglacial to the middle last glacial time. The studied sequence is well preserved and one of the most detailed soil-sedimentary terrestrial archives within Eastern Europe. It reflects climatic variations comprising the timespan from the marine isotopic stage (MIS) 5e to MIS 3. At the base of the paleodepression the pedogenetic stages are extraordinary detailed. Distinct paleosols are alternating with erosion-accumulative stages, forming the Ryshkovo pedolitocomplex during the Mikulino interglacial. During the Early Valdai time two interstadial paleosols were developed, and the Middle Valdai section comprises two main interstadial paleosols as well. In general, interstadial paleosols of the Late Valdai time are absent in the studied quarry. For the first time, the chronological boundaries of the MIS 5e interglacial are recorded and thus, the duration of soil formation could be determined from 12 to 15 thousand years. Furthermore, stages of periglacial conditions during the Early, Middle and Late Valdai time were dated. The obtained ages form the base for a chronostratigraphic framework, which was correlated with those of the loess-paleosol archives of Eastern, Central, and Western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogeologic setting strongly influences the hydrologic function of peatland systems. For base–rich fens in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of the Western Boreal Plain, northern Alberta, local groundwater flow from gently sloping adjacent uplands has been shown to help sustain fen water tables and chemistry. Natural forest disturbance in the AOSR is dominated by wildfire, with peatlands susceptible to combustion and subsequent carbon release. However, few studies have aimed to characterize the degree of change to the hydrophysical properties of upland soils following wildfire. To address this, we measured differences in water repellency and hydrophysical properties of burned and unburned upland organic and mineral soils in a burned moderate–rich fen watershed (Poplar Fen), ~25 km north of Fort McMurray. Samples were taken in the fall of 2017, ~1.5 years after the watershed burned (May 2016). Study locations included burned and unburned jack pine–dominated upland and black spruce–dominated riparian areas. Results illustrated significantly lower water repellency and higher infiltration on burned locations of both land types. Furthermore, no significant differences were detected in organic soil moisture retention in uplands; however, burned organic soil samples had significantly lower water retention in riparian areas. We postulate the lower water retention in riparian areas was due to the greater organic layer thickness there, thus greater fuel load and potential for exceeding the temperature threshold of repellency destruction. Following retention, all soil cores exhibited high hysteresis, with differences in volumetric moisture content averaging 0.38 and 0.34 m3 m−3 at −10 cm pressure for upland and riparian locations, respectively. Our results are contrary to the increased hydrophobicity following burning that is commonly reported in boreal regions. The promoted infiltration, groundwater recharge and subsequent enhanced water supply to fens in the local groundwater system may help in accelerating the moss recovery process. • Burned areas exhibited significantly lower water repellency and higher infiltration. • Wildfire destroyed a greater proportion of hydrophobic substances than it produced. • Burned riparian soils had significantly lower water retention. • Higher ground heat fluxes and lower field soil moisture reduced surface evaporation. • Enhanced groundwater supply from uplands may accelerate the fen moss recovery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]