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Context: Land use significantly affects wetlands, altering various biotic components and threatening biodiversity. Aims: This study assessed the ecological status of Pampas wetlands under different land uses by examining environmental characteristics and annelid assemblages. Methods: Four water systems in the Argentine Pampas were surveyed, including riverine wetlands and upstream and downstream sections affected by urbanisation, intensive agriculture, or extensive livestock farming. Key results: Multivariate analysis showed correlations among environmental factors and sites, whereas PERMANOVA analysis showed density variations among streams, sections, and land uses, although species richness and diversity remained consistent within each stream. In total, 42 annelid species and morphotypes were identified and linked with various environmental factors. Conclusions: Enchytraeidae were correlated with nitrate and phosphorus concentrations, whereas Limnodrilus species and Tubifex tubifex were associated with nitrites, ammonium, vegetation coverage and fine sediments. Species such as Pristina spp., Aulophorus costatus , Dero spp. and Aulodrilus pigueti preferred sandy sediments enriched with organic matter and higher current velocities, indicating their potential as indicators of anthropogenic impact. Implications: These findings highlighted the importance of annelid assemblages in wetland monitoring and underscore the need for integrated watershed management and sustainable planning to protect wetlands. This study assessed the ecological status of Pampas wetlands under various land uses by examining environmental factors and annelid assemblages. Four water systems were surveyed, showing correlations with environmental conditions. Specific annelid species were linked to factors such as nitrate and phosphorus concentrations. The findings underscore the importance of annelid assemblages in wetland monitoring and the need for sustainable watershed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GOOD SOIL can raise the quantity and quality of food. However, the land quality has worsened due to various anthropogenic activities. The present study aimed to assess the effects of land use systems on soil quality over time through specific indicators. A top 30 cm soil sample from six land uses (forest, pasture, orchard, vegetable, maize, and paddy) was analyzed for soil quality index using Principal Component Analysis. The results revealed the highest organic carbon (20.94±1.85 g kg-1), N (537.50±16.7 kg ha-1), and P2O5 (36.51±1.62 kg ha-1) in paddy-based land uses while the minimum OC (8.63±1.23 g kg-1), N (290.30±1.8 kg ha-1) and K2O (201.36±6.2 kg ha-1) respectively with lowest P2O5 (24.22±1.21 kg ha-1) in maize. The forest system showed dense macrofauna (1498 ind. m-2). The microbial population was found in the order of paddy>maize>vegetable>apple>pasture>forest. Particle size distribution of studied land uses varied from silty loam to clay loam. The following order of soil quality: forest>pasture>apple >vegetable>maize>paddy was found after the indexing procedure. It is concluded that further extension and turning of natural forests to agriculture will lead to a more significant loss of stored carbon from soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in deforestation associated with the need to reconcile conservation and food production, agricultural mosaics are of great importance in maintaining biodiversity. This study aimed to compare the shade-tolerant plants diversity partition pattern and the conservation value (CV) presented by land-use types found in three vertical strata (upper, middle, and lower) of six agricultural mosaics in the eastern Amazon. Additionally, we hypothesized that agricultural mosaics with lower forest cover, with lower heterogeneity of land-uses, and drier areas have lower shade-tolerant plants diversity, and CV of land-use types. Plant surveys were carried out in family farming mosaics with fixed plots; a matrix of species abundance per plot was set up for each mosaic and stratum. Additive partition and absolute contribution analyze were applied to each matrix; and CV of the land-uses for gamma richness was calculated. Factors were tested using generalized linear models and simple linear regression. Our results indicate that there is a diversity pattern that is repeated in the strata and agricultural mosaics. Beta diversity, especially among land-use types, is the one that most contributes to the diversity. Habitat heterogeneity is very important for the conservation of shade-tolerant species, but it is not the number of different land-use types but what these land-uses are. Land-uses with low CV do not add diversity to the mosaic. Consequently, the quality of the environmental matrix is very important. This information will be useful in providing baseline data on the management of agricultural mosaics in the eastern Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research investigated the distribution of soil fertility indices among aggregate-size fractions across three land-use types (forested, cultivated, and fallow lands) for loamy sand at Ede-Oballa, a derived savannah in southeastern Nigeria. Surface soil samples from these land-use types were air-dried and separated into 2.0 mm (large), 0.25-0.5 mm and

Soils are key natural resources for the Earth’s system; however, human impacts, especially, soil erosion are considered serious threats. Therefore, identifying and assessing effective factors to understand erosion hot spots at different scales is critical to developing effective land management plans and ensuring the sustainability of the territory. This study was conducted to determine and prepare an erosion risk map, but to prioritize the survey at different scales, such as sub-basin and watershed ones. To achieve this goal, geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing data (RS) were used combining the analysis network process method (ANP) and ICONA model (Institute for the Conservation of Nature). As study case, we selected the degraded areas of the Gorganrood watershed located in the north of Iran. The study area was obtained for very low, low, medium, high, and very high-risk classifications of 14.0, 21.4, 17.9, 31.3, and 15.4%, respectively. Results from the ICONA model also indicated that 12.8, 28.8, 22.1, 27.9, 8.5, and 0.03% belong to very low, low, medium, high, very high, and without risk of erosion, respectively. According to the validation results, it was found that the accuracy of ANP and ICONA models are 0.83 and 0.80, respectively, which indicates the suitability of the models for preparing the erosion map of the region is appropriate and useful for designing land management plans. We conclude that both models can be used to develop the erosion map potential and to prioritize sub-basins if a complete database of geomorphological characteriscs and human activities are accurate previously defined.

The runoff threshold is the amount of precipitation that exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil and from which water begins to flow over the land surface. Its spatial variation will determine the appearance of a series of processes and risks such as soil erosion, sediment transport, water pollution or flooding, all of which are of great interest in the field of land planning and management. This article provides an update of the runoff threshold in the territorial scope of the Demarcación Hidrográfica de las Cuencas Mediterráneas Andaluzas and evaluates the spatial changes occurred between 1990 and 2018 because of land use dynamics. For this purpose, the methodology described in Regulation 5.2-IC related to surface drainage, of the Instrucción de Carreteras (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Urbanismo [MOPU], 1990; Ministerio de Fomento, 2016, 2019) was used. The results obtained show very contrasting runoff threshold values, with maximums in the western sector and minimums in the eastern sector. On the other hand, the dynamics of land use changes have led to a significant increase in impermeable surfaces and sclerophyllous vegetation, which has generated a clear reduction in runoff threshold values in different areas, mainly in the eastern region. Specifically, the former forest areas, currently occupied by sclerophyllous vegetation, stand out, with a reduction of 17 mm over an area of approximately 229.1 km2. The conversion of agricultural lands into urban areas is also noteworthy, with a decrease in their retention capacity by up to 14 mm of precipitation, covering a total area of 97.1 km2.

This article is a methodological approach to landscape analysis, changes in land use and quantification of the variations registered in the Arribes del Duero (Salamanca, Spain), region through the implementation of physiographic metric techniques and the use of Geographic Information Systems. The evolution of the uses and covers of the land that occurred in the Spanish rural world, largely parallel to its demographic dynamics of depopulation and aging, has aroused the interest of its study. This fact has intensified, even more so, in those regions whose geographical singularities have served as a driver of conservation measures, becoming at the same time limiting factors of mechanization and intensification, thus turning their future towards the reduction of agricultural activity and abandonment. Cartographic development must be considered the key element in the investigation of territorial transformations. Its analysis, through the application of landscape indices or metrics, will give a specific evolutionary model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The runoff threshold is the amount of precipitation that exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil and from which water begins to flow over the land surface. Its spatial variation will determine the appearance of a series of processes and risks such as soil erosion, sediment transport, water pollution or flooding, all of which are of great interest in the field of land planning and management. This article provides an update of the runoff threshold in the territorial scope of the Demarcación Hidrográfica de las Cuencas Mediterráneas Andaluzas and evaluates the spatial changes occurred between 1990 and 2018 because of land use dynamics. For this purpose, the methodology described in Regulation 5.2-IC related to surface drainage, of the Instrucción de Carreteras (Ministerio de Obras Pu'blicas y Urbanismo [MOPU], 1990; Ministerio de Fomento, 2016, 2019) was used. The results obtained show very contrasting runoff threshold values, with maximums in the western sector and minimums in the eastern sector. On the other hand, the dynamics of land use changes have led to a significant increase in impermeable surfaces and sclerophyllous vegetation, which has generated a clear reduction in runoff threshold values in different areas, mainly in the eastern region. Specifically, the former forest areas, currently occupied by sclerophyllous vegetation, stand out, with a reduction of 17 mm over an area of approximately 229.1 km2. The conversion of agricultural lands into urban areas is also noteworthy, with a decrease in their retention capacity by up to 14 mm of precipitation, covering a total area of 97.1 km2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The main objective of the research is to determine the efficiency in population and area coverage of the set of bus stops to existing land uses in the city, allowing the identification of possible shortcomings, which leads to the formulation of restructuring proposals in terms of the location of the stops. The research methodology to be applied includes the use of geostatistical models of accessibility based on GIS-type digital tools, supported by the collection of field information and road inventories. As a main result, it is obtained that the stop-system coverage allows the access of more than 80% of the population in a trip time by walking less than 5 minutes. Likewise, it is possible to identify a robust redundancy concerning the system of stops. Thus, it is concluded that the research process facilitates the evaluation and identification of possible interventions, guaranteeing a better coverage of the stops set regarding the city's existing activities.

Neltuma flexuosa is the main tree species in the Central Monte which presents important ecological and socio-cultural functions. Grazing and wood extraction, the most widespread human uses in the region, can modify the growth of Neltuma trees and generate changes in the woodland dynamics, which, in turn, is influenced by water availability. Our aim was to assess the growth pattern of N. flexuosa trees that inhabit open woodlands of the Central Monte and associate it to land use and to the climate. Dendrochronological methods were employed to analyze wood samples collected in areas destined for conservation, grazing use and wood extraction. Trees in the wood extraction area grew approximately twice that of the individuals in grazing fields and the protected area between 1977 and 2000, reaching their maximum growth rate between 20 and 40 years of age. In opposition, the maximum growth rate in the protected area and in the grazing fields occurred at approximately 70 years of age. A positive correlation between rainfall and growth was observed, however the association between climate and growth was low. Our results show that the different land uses have affected the radial growth pattern of N. flexuosa trees. The resprout capacity of the species would have allowed its recovery at the tree level, which, combined with a change in the intensity of anthropogenic use, enabled the recovery of the N. flexuosa population and the reestablishment of the forest. These results suggest that the extensive grazing and the extraction of wood to domestic use are activities compatible with the sustainable use of the woodland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the research is to determine the efficiency in population and area coverage of the set of bus stops to existing land uses in the city, allowing the identification of possible shortcomings, which leads to the formulation of restructuring proposals in terms of the location of the stops. The research methodology to be applied includes the use of geostatistical models of accessibility based on GIS-type digital tools, supported by the collection of field information and road inventories. As a main result, it is obtained that the stop-system coverage allows the access of more than 80% of the population in a trip time by walking less than 5 minutes. Likewise, it is possible to identify a robust redundancy concerning the system of stops. Thus, it is concluded that the research process facilitates the evaluation and identification of possible interventions, guaranteeing a better coverage of the stops set regarding the city's existing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic soil properties for soil health (DSP4SH) is a Science of Soil Health Initiative that was designed to collect, process, and publicize scientifically rigorous datasets that inform sound indicators and interpretations. The Soil and Plant Science Division of the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and university cooperators collected a suite of standardized soil health metrics across eight states (Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Texas) within five soil survey regions (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, and South Central). The DSP4SH database provides a substantial dataset of soil health metrics assessed. The dataset is composed of dynamic soil properties (DSP) data collected from each management system or ecological state represented by one to three independent plot replicates. Each plot has a minimum of three pedons. Nine groups from the DSP4SH monitoring network provided datasets used in developing the database. The submitted data includes 37 laboratory measured parameters, 60 variables of layer/horizon descriptions, 41 variables for laboratory analysis conducted at the Kellogg Soil Survey laboratory, and 12 variables for the management systems. An additional 31 variables were developed for site or plot description. Additional variables were developed to normalize the dataset. In preparation for DSP assessment, all tables (except for dataset from KSSL lab) were categorized by management system or ecological state. The categories were business as usual (BAU), the reference condition (Ref) and the soil health management (SHM). The overarching goal of DSP4SH phase 1 and 2 dataset publication is to promote increased accessibility, further analysis of the data, and overall understanding of the benefits of surveying dynamic soil properties for soil health.

This research applies artificial intelligence algorithms for optimizing the water quality monitoring network in a representative basin with intensive agricultural and livestock activities. This study used the water quality database provided by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). Bi-monthly monitoring was registered from 2013 to 2020 for 23 water quality parameters in 23 sampling locations in tributaries and the mainstream river. Therefore, it was necessary to apply principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the data and thus identify the parameters that contribute most to the variation in the water quality. This artificial intelligence algorithm promoted the ease of clustering sampling sites with similar water quality characteristics by reducing the number of variables involved in the database. The reduction highlighted nutrients (TN and TP), parameters related to dissolved organic matter (NH3-N and TOC), and pathogens such as fecal coliforms. The similarity of sampling sites was determined through hierarchical clustering using the Euclidean distance as a measure of dissimilarity and the Ward method as a grouping method. As a result, nine clusters were obtained for the rainy and dry seasons, reducing approximately 50% of the sampling sites and generating an optimized network of 11 sampling sites. HIGHLIGHTS The monitoring network of a watershed with intensive agriculture was reduced by 50% using artificial intelligence algorithms.; By applying principal component analysis, the variables that contribute the most significant variation to the water quality of the basin, highlighting nutrients, and pathogens were identified.; It was possible to agglomerate sampling sites according to their similarity in terms of water quality.;

The Lagunas de Campillos Natural Reserve and adjacent ponds are fundamentally surrounded by regularly fertilized crop fields and livestock industry, producing leachates which can be found in the ponds. The interest in this Site of European Importance and the RAMSAR wetland complex lies in the habitats within it, which are included in the Directive on Habitats of Community Interest. It is essential to determine the trophic status of the ponds and the quality of these habitats, as well as whether corrective measures need to be established in order to maintain a good environmental status. To characterize and compare the ponds, different parameters were measured, such as conductivity, pH, nutrient concentration, Chl-a concentration, phytoplankton composition, phytoplankton abundance (<20 µm), and the quantification of heterotrophic microorganisms indicating contamination of the aquifers. The obtained results showed that all ponds, except a mesotrophic pond, are eutrophic or even hypertrophic, with high levels of total nitrogen (>8 mg L−1), total phosphorous (>165 μg L−1), and chlorophyll-a concentration. These findings explain the high densities of phytoplankton observed, with the predominant presence of small cells (<3.6 μm ESD). In addition, concentrations of heterotrophs and coliforms are, in some ponds, higher than expected. Eutrophication hinders ecological functions and ecosystem services, which finally affects biodiversity and human wellbeing. Five of the six analyzed ponds are within various protection figures for their essential importance to local and migrating avifauna. Therefore, ponds' status analysis and the implementation of measures for maintaining ecosystem services and trophic state are fundamental for the sustainable management of the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to monitor the dynamics of urban growth in Guercif City, Morocco, and the accompanying contraction of agricultural land over a period of 68 years (from 1954 to 2022). Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been relied mainly on as tools to track the sequence of this urbanization expansion. This research was based on the analysis of data from a range of geographical resources, especially the topographic map for the period of the fifties and sixties, and then satellite images of the Landsat in the period of the seventies and beyond. The approach we have adopted in this study enabled us to adjust the dynamics of the studied phenomenon and to determine its temporal and spatial dimensions. One of the most important conclusions we have reached in this context is that since 1954 Guercif City and its surroundings have lost important areas of agricultural land, mostly in the form of olive groves, totaling 218 hectares in 2022, due to urbanization expansion, for which rural migration was the most important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings.

Rapid population growth and climate change are poised to significantly impact water resources and agriculture. Consequently, it becomes imperative to delve into the repercussions of climate change on agriculture and natural resources in developing nations. In this research, an economic–hydrological model was employed to assess the influence of climate change on water management and cropping patterns in the Eastern border catchment of Iran. The climatic data used in this study, spanning the years 1997–2022, encompassed daily rainfall and temperature records from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan meteorological organization, as well as the Iranian Statistical Center. Monthly water discharge data were obtained from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan regional water authority, while information on crop levels and agricultural inputs was collected from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan agricultural jihad organization. The findings reveal that areas dedicated to cultivating high-yield crops experienced a decrease when associated with high water consumption, whereas the cultivation areas of high-yield crops expanded when water consumption was reduced. The implementation of modern irrigation methods, such as pressurized irrigation, not only conserves valuable water resources but also enhances efficiency, ultimately resulting in decreased water consumption and increased production. Consequently, the provision of enhanced training programs aimed at educating farmers about these practices and facilitating their adoption can play a pivotal role in adapting to and mitigating the challenges posed by climate change.

Organic Micropollutants (OMPs) might pose significant risks to aquatic life and have potential toxic effects on humans. These chemicals typically occur as complex mixtures rather than individually. Information on their co-occurrence and their association with land use is largely lacking, even in industrialized countries. Furthermore, data on the presence of OMPs in freshwater ecosystems in South America is insufficient. Consequently, we assessed the co-occurrence and distribution of OMPs, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products, surfactants, and other industrial OMPs, in surface waters of two river basins in central Chile. We focused on identifying and ranking quantified chemicals, classifying their mode of actions, as well as correlating their occurrence with distinct land uses. We identified and quantified 311 compounds that occurred at least once in the River Aconcagua and River Maipo basins, encompassing compounds from urban, agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. Pharmaceuticals were the most frequently occurring chemicals, followed by pesticides, personal care and household products. OMPs with neuroactive properties dominated surface waters in Central Chile, along with OMPs known to alter the cardiovascular and endocrine systems of humans and aquatic animals. Finally, we observed positive correlations between agricultural and urban land uses and OMPs. Our findings represent a step forward in extending current knowledge on the co-occurrence patterns of OMPs in aquatic environments, particularly in developing countries of the southern hemisphere., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

• Evergreen coniferous forestlands increased the complexity of fungal networks. • Topsoil organic carbon fractions shaped complex lipid metabolism pathways. • Specific keystone taxa were potential drivers for soil water repellency. Soil water repellency (WR) is an important hydrological function in the terrestrial water cycle as it prevents water from penetrating into the soil and exacerbating soil erosion. Vegetation restoration may greatly affect WR by increasing soil organic carbon (OC) storage and altering microbial community composition in response to environmental stressors in the loess hilly areas of China. Yet, the regulating mechanisms of WR by changes in microbial functional profiles across land use types in these regions are poorly characterized. In this work, solid-state13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and shotgun metagenomics sequencing were applied to systematically assess the effects of land use types on the OC fractions, soil bacterial and fungal community composition, as well as microbial functional profiles. We found that artificial evergreen coniferous forestland caused more severe WR and increased the complexity of fungal networks. Besides, the artificial evergreen coniferous forestland had larger impacts on labile OC fractions, microbial communities,and lipid metabolic pathways in topsoil compared to other land use types. What's more, keystone genera (e.g., Conexibacter , Streptomyces , and Sphaerobolus) and functional genes (ACAT , atoB , ACSL , fadD , ACADM , acd , paaF , echA , and FAS2) were driven by soil properties that contributed significantly to WR. Collectively, our results indicate that topsoil OC fractions interact with keystone taxa to influence WR by regulating functional genes in lipid metabolic pathways. These findings greatly boost our understanding of assessing the SWR risk against the backdrop of climate change and lay a theoretical foundation for formulating rational vegetation restoration management strategies based on variations in SWR of forest (grassland) ecosystems on the Chinese Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determine soil zinc cycle using isotopic tracing from karst area. • Zinc behaviors strongly controlled by rock weathering and leaching processes. • Cultivation limits δ66Zn fractionation, grazing induces heavier δ66Zn compositions. Stable isotopes are increasingly employed to identify anthropogenic disturbances and geogenic processes of zinc (Zn) in terrestrial ecosystems. To reveal how land use affects the transformation of soil Zn, profile samples were collected from abandoned cropland (AC), grazing shrubland (GS), and natural land (secondary forest land, SF) in a typical karst area, and analyzed the Zn content and isotopic composition. Results exhibited that soil Zn contents in forest (SF: 72.50 ∼ 131.20 mg/kg) were more variable than those in agricultural lands (AC: 74.53 ∼ 112.20 mg/kg; GS: 48.26 ∼ 82.57 mg/kg). Rock weathering was the main contributor to soil Zn in each profile. Differences among profiles arose from partially assimilative Zn returning to the forest through plant debris, whereas leaching processes coupled with the consumption of crop production and livestock led to Zn loss. The δ66Zn varied in the largest range in SF (−0.26 ‰ to 0.04 ‰), and the extremums were both in the upper soil (0 to 80 cm). After the decomposition of plant debris, vegetation preferentially assimilated lighter δ66Zn, while retaining heavier δ66Zn in the surface soil. Moreover, the soil solution also had a lighter δ66Zn composition that leached downward. The narrowest range of δ66Zn composition was in AC (−0.14 ‰ to −0.02 ‰). The assimilation of crops exhausted the lighter δ66Zn fraction during cultivation, and the heavier δ66Zn fraction continued to be lost by leaching after stopping tillage. The δ66Zn composition ranged from −0.18 ‰ to 0.00 ‰ and decreased with depth in the GS. Animal excrement supplied unintentionally heavier δ66Zn compositions during grazing and obviously disturbed soil Zn behavior under the effects of vertical leaching. Both the content and isotopic composition showed that soil Zn dynamics were highly sensitive to agricultural activities. This study reveals a potential feedback mechanism for soil Zn behavior during agricultural disturbances, which is beneficial for optimizing land management in karst areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population growth and climate change are poised to significantly impact water resources and agriculture. Consequently, it becomes imperative to delve into the repercussions of climate change on agriculture and natural resources in developing nations. In this research, an economic–hydrological model was employed to assess the influence of climate change on water management and cropping patterns in the Eastern border catchment of Iran. The climatic data used in this study, spanning the years 1997–2022, encompassed daily rainfall and temperature records from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan meteorological organization, as well as the Iranian Statistical Center. Monthly water discharge data were obtained from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan regional water authority, while information on crop levels and agricultural inputs was collected from the Khorasan and Sistan & Balouchestan agricultural jihad organization. The findings reveal that areas dedicated to cultivating high-yield crops experienced a decrease when associated with high water consumption, whereas the cultivation areas of high-yield crops expanded when water consumption was reduced. The implementation of modern irrigation methods, such as pressurized irrigation, not only conserves valuable water resources but also enhances efficiency, ultimately resulting in decreased water consumption and increased production. Consequently, the provision of enhanced training programs aimed at educating farmers about these practices and facilitating their adoption can play a pivotal role in adapting to and mitigating the challenges posed by climate change. • Impact of Climate Change: Influence on water management and cropping patterns. • Data Sources: climatic data (1997–2022) from meteorological and water authorities. • Crop Area Dynamics: High-yield crop areas decreased with high water consumption while expanding with reduced consumption. • Irrigation Efficiency: to reduce water consumption and increase production. • Call for Action: Emphasis on farmer education and adoption of efficient practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification, by changing land use and modifying the yearly configuration and composition through crop sequences, affects the abundance and diversity of pollinators and, consequently, pollination. This study aims to assess the impact of the characteristics of agricultural landscapes on pollinator abundance in the Mediterranean region. We studied the response of three major wild pollinator groups (hoverflies, bumblebees, and wild bees) to four landscape characteristics: three related to composition, namely, equivalent crop diversity in the sampling year (eRg), previous year equivalent crop diversity (eRgP) and percentage of seminatural habitats (SNH), and one related to landscape configuration, namely, mean field size (MFS). For this evaluation, we selected twenty-two oilseed rape fields (OSRs) differing in surrounding landscape characteristics within a 1-km radius. Multimodel inference indicates that landscape variables affect pollinator groups differently. The percentage of SNH was the most important variable having a positive influence on the abundance of bumblebees, while eRgP and MFS were found to be important for the abundance of wild bees and hoverflies. These data allow us to prioritize actions aimed at specific groups of pollinators, improve agricultural landscape schemes, promote the conservation of wild pollinators, promote crop diversity at the landscape scale and increase the extent of seminatural areas. • Pollinators respond differently to the heterogeneity of the agricultural landscape. • Previous year crop diveristy is the most important landscape feature for total pollinator abundance. • Greater crop diversity and smaller fields benefit the abundance of wild bees. • Seminatural habitats are the most important feature for the abundance of bumblebees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental conditions play an important role in controlling the fate of organic carbon (OC) in earthworm casts. However, the mechanisms that lead to the destabilization of OC in casts deposited in different land use systems are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of land use on the fate and composition of particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in earthworm casts under tropical conditions. We conducted a 400-day field exposure experiment in a woodland and a meadow in northern Vietnam with earthworm casts and soil aggregates without trace of earthworm activity (reference soil) under natural rainfall conditions. We analyzed the element content, stable carbon isotope composition and mid-infrared signatures of the two types of materials after 9 and 400 days of field exposure. The results showed that the casts were initially enriched in OC as compared to the reference soils, with the MAOM fraction accounting for over 90% of the earthworm-induced OC accumulation. The POM fraction occluded in casts consisted of fresh plant material and disappeared during the 400 days of field exposure. Enrichment and composition of OC differed between woodland and meadow casts. POM and MAOM showed contrasting persistence in the two land use systems. While woodland casts showed the highest potential to stabilize OC, the actual amount of cast OC stabilized for more than 400 days was more important under meadow. The processes affecting cast OC dynamics were contrasting in both systems. Under woodland, cast OC destabilization was most probably related to microbial degradation, while under meadow, OC accumulation was most probably related to root activity. Our study highlights that the impact of earthworms on the origin, composition, and fate of cast OC in tropical environments is strongly influenced by land use. • Earthworms induce SOC storage as MAOM rather than occluded POM. • Landuse influences composition of earthworm induced SOC in fractions. • Occluded POM in earthworm casts is susceptible to loss on an annuel timescale. • Landuse influences persistance of earthworm induced SOC in MAOM fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic soil properties for soil health (DSP4SH) is a Science of Soil Health Initiative that was designed to collect, process, and publicize scientifically rigorous datasets that inform sound indicators and interpretations. The Soil and Plant Science Division of the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and university cooperators collected a suite of standardized soil health metrics across eight states (Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Texas) within five soil survey regions (Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, and South Central). The DSP4SH database provides a substantial dataset of soil health metrics assessed. The dataset is composed of dynamic soil properties (DSP) data collected from each management system or ecological state represented by one to three independent plot replicates. Each plot has a minimum of three pedons. Nine groups from the DSP4SH monitoring network provided datasets used in developing the database. The submitted data includes 37 laboratory measured parameters, 60 variables of layer/horizon descriptions, 41 variables for laboratory analysis conducted at the Kellogg Soil Survey laboratory, and 12 variables for the management systems. An additional 31 variables were developed for site or plot description. Additional variables were developed to normalize the dataset. In preparation for DSP assessment, all tables (except for dataset from KSSL lab) were categorized by management system or ecological state. The categories were business as usual (BAU), the reference condition (Ref) and the soil health management (SHM). The overarching goal of DSP4SH phase 1 and 2 dataset publication is to promote increased accessibility, further analysis of the data, and overall understanding of the benefits of surveying dynamic soil properties for soil health., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The application of biomarkers to study the molecular composition of soil organic matter (SOM) can be used to analyze the source and degradation of SOM and reveal the stability mechanism of soil organic carbon (SOC) at the molecular level. In order to further clarify the effects of different land use patterns (farmland, grassland, and forest) on the molecular composition of SOM, the changes in molecular composition of organic matter (free lipids, cutin, suberin, and lignin) on a global scale were studied using a meta-analysis method. The results showed that there were significant differences in the molecular composition of organic matter under different land use patterns. The contents of free lipids ( n -alkanes, n -alkanols, n -alkanoic acids, and cyclic lipids), cutin, and lignin phenols in forest soil were significantly higher than those in grassland and farmland. There was no significant difference in the content of suberin between grassland and forest soil. The ratio of suberin to cutin in grassland was the highest, with an average of 2.96, and the averages of farmland and forest were 1.68 and 2.21, respectively. The ratio of syringic acid to syringaldehyde (Ad/Al) S and the ratio of vanillic acid to vanillin (Ad/Al) V of farmland soil were the largest, which were 1.25 and 1.58, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in grassland (0.46 and 0.69) and forest (0.78 and 0.7). The results of correlation analysis showed that in farmland soil, suberin was significantly correlated with mean annual precipitation (MAP) and clay; cutin was significantly correlated with clay; and lignin was significantly correlated with mean annual temperature (MAT), MAP, sand, and bulk density. In grassland soil, total free lipids were significantly correlated with MAP and bulk density; suberin and cutin were significantly correlated with MAT and MAP; and lignin was significantly correlated with MAP, pH, sand, and bulk density. However, only lignin was significantly correlated with MAP and sand in forest soils. Overall, the contents of SOC and molecular components in forest soil were higher under the three land use practices, and the contribution of plant roots to SOM in grassland soil was greater. In farmland soil, the degradation of lignin was accelerated due to human farming activities. Future research should focus on the regulation of soil physicochemical properties and climatic conditions on the molecular composition of SOM.

The complexity and uncertainty of pore structures, hinder the understanding of the water infiltration process along a soil profile. In this study, soil pore structures quantified by X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and infiltration processes traced using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes were lin k ed under three land uses (forestland, citrus land, and rainfed cropland) in the red soil region of southern China. Our results showed that 95% of the soil pore diameters in the surface layer (0–20 cm) in forestland, citrus land, and rainfed cropland were concentrated in the ranges of 0.05–2.46, 0.05–2.24 and 0.05–1.04 mm, respectively. Rainfed cropland had the most soil micropores, along with a high porosity and poor connectivity, while there were more large, well-connected tubular pore channels in the forestland and citrus land. Hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes were effective in tracing soil water infiltration processes under saturated and near-saturated conditions. The soil infiltration depths of citrus land, forestland, and rainfed cropland were 45, 40, and 25 cm, with "new water" volumes of 37.2, 26.4, and 22.3 mm, respectively. CT-based porosity and the soil texture were considered crucial indicators in the evaluation of the exchange between "old water" and "new water" during infiltration processes. More specifically, the soil structure of the limiting layer not only controlled the infiltration rate but also played an extremely important role in the infiltration mechanism, reflected by the different ratios of "new water". The soil pore characteristics mainly affected soil water transport, while other soil properties played more important roles in soil water retention. • Land use affected the profile distribution of soil pore characteristics. • More information came from the stable isotope abundance of soil water than its contents. • The exchange ratio of "new water" and "old water" was obtained by stable isotopes. • Soils with well-connected structures had a higher proportion of "new water". • The pore structure of the limiting layer controlled the infiltration rate and mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of climate extremes and land uses poses a major challenge for water managers, especially in heavily populated basins with large reservoirs, multiple uses, and inter-basin transfers. In this study, we analyzed water security in the Paraíba do Sul River basin, responsible for supplying a significant fraction of the needs of Brazil's two largest metropolitan areas through water transfer. Unless existent studies emphasize aspects of water scarcity disregarding other competitive water use, we considered the impacts on hydropower generation in a fully integrated modeling framework, which includes reservoir operation rules. To achieve this, we integrated future projections of land uses, global climate change (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), and water demand for the period 2016–2055. Most of the climate change scenarios suggested a reduction in the frequency of both high and low flows, by nearly 25%, which resulted in an increase in flow regularization in the main basin's reservoirs. An undesirable consequence of those trends was the reduction of hydropower generation. Regarding water supply to the metropolis outside the basin, results indicated a possibility of a more contentious water governance scenario. The long-term sustainability of the basin's water resources will require implementing policies to enhance water use efficiency and reuse, in combination with other renewable energy sources. • Scenarios suggested a reduction media of nearly 20% in both high and low flows. • The firm energy could decrease 45% in 2035–2055 in the Jaguari reservoir. • Water transfer to the metropolitan region of São Paulo is met in all scenarios. • Scenarios indicate water shortages in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition due to intensified emissions of NH 3 and NO x is a global problem with profound consequences on living organisms and the environment. Although N emission rates are currently considered to be high in East Asia, reports on the current N deposition level and composition are still limited, especially in northeastern China, where official N deposition monitoring sites are unavailable. This limits our understanding of the spatio-temporal N deposition patterns and their influencing factors at regional to continental scales. Here, we used data collected mostly during 2019 at 38 sites, comprising 7 sites in northeastern China and 31 EANET (Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) sites in middle and east Russia, Mongolia, central and southern China, South Korea and Japan to explore the spatial-seasonal variations and drivers of ammonium and nitrate deposition across the Northeast Asia. Total bulk inorganic N (TIN) deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N ratio in the TIN was 0.8–2.8 in northeastern China. The bulk/wet TIN deposition averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (predominantly in the form of ammonium-N: NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N = 1.4) over the Northeast Asia region, with the highest rates being observed in northeastern China (11.6), as well as central and southern China (10.7), followed by east Russia, South Korea and Japan (5.6), and the lowest in middle Russia and Mongolia (1.5). This regional bulk/wet TIN deposition level is about twice of the wet TIN deposition level in Europe and the United States. The TIN deposition in summer and spring was 45–467% higher than in autumn and winter. Out of the ten land uses considered, only agricultural and urban land uses significantly positively correlated with NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N deposition rates across all monitored sites. This study suggests that the ongoing agricultural and urban expansions are likely to enhance N deposition and its associated effects across global ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Total inorganic N deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in northeastern China. • TIN deposition ranged 0.4–24.5 and averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 over Northeast Asia. • NH 4 +-N dominated TIN deposition (NH 4 +-N/NO 3 −-N = 1.4) in Northeast Asia. • TIN deposition level in NE Asia is about twice that reported in Europe and the USA. • NH 4 +-N and NO 3 −-N deposition increased with increasing farmland and urban coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]