Search

The article is devoted to the study of the activities of pedologists of the Chuvash ASSR and aims to analyze the historically first study devoted to the intelligence of Chuvash children. The study is based on the publications of the first pedologists from Chuvashia F. P. Petrov and M. E. Efimov. In accordance with the historical and psychological methods described by V. A. Koltsova, the work uses problematic and source study methods. The study is written in the aspect of the history of pedagogy. A graduate student of the Kazan Oriental Pedagogical Institute, F. P. Petrov with a team of students, for the first time carried out a comprehensive study of the intellectual development of Chuvash children using the Binet-Simon test method, widely known among Soviet pedologists. At first, pedologists took the test method in Russian, then it was translated into the Chuvash language with appropriate text changes in relation to the everyday and speech characteristics of the Chuvash. The result of the study was the book published in Cheboksary, "The experience of studying the intellectual development of Chuvash children using the Binet-Simon method", published in 1928. The book caused serious objections from the head of the pedological office at the Chuvash Scientific Research Institute M. E. Efimov; he believed that the author was biased against Chuvash children and violated the methodological principle of making tests. The correspondence polemic between two Chuvash pedologists about the measurement of children’s intelligence, along with similar cases in the country’s republics, prompted L. S. Vygotsky to call for an understanding of the problems of national pedology, with its leading problem – the measurement of intelligence.

Epipedons type and thickness affect the properties and productivity of soils. Therefore, the study was carried out at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Nigeria, to assess the influence of vegetation on epipedon characteristics in soils of varying parent materials with a view to highlighting their salient properties for sustainable utilization of soils in the area. Three mini pits were established within each soil series supporting similar plantation. Morphological description of the soils was undertaken on the field, using the guidelines of FAO. Soil samples were taken from both the top- and sub-surface horizons of the mini pits for analyses, using standard procedures. The epipedons were fairly thick, ranging between 0-20 and 0-30 cm, brightly coloured with good internal drainage, except those of the Jago series, and varied from slightly sticky, slightly-plastic to very sticky, very plastic, suggesting higher clay content at lower depth and the ability of the soils to hold moisture for crop use after cessation of rains. The soils are devoid of gravel within the minipits. The soil’s pH was low and ranged between medium acid and slightly acid while the organic matter within the epipedons was relatively moderate. Total nitrogen content varied from medium to high within the soils of Oba and Egbeda series while it varied from low to medium in Iwo and Jago series, available P in the epipedons ranged from low to medium. Exchangeable Ca was lower than the critical value established for soils in southern Nigeria while exchangeable Mg and K values were adequate. Litter production was highest (7.50 t/ha) in Egbeda soil series and least (3.57 t/ha) in Jago series. Soils of Iwo and Oba series had 4.57 t/ha and 5.50 t/ha of litter production, respectively. Tissue phosphorus of litters in Egbeda soils series was high, while that of Iwo and Oba series formed from coarse-grained granite, and hill wash medium to fine material, respectively, was low. Soils of Iwo, Oba and Jago series need supplemental application of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium fertilizers for optimal cacao production due to their lower values than the minimum required.

Digital soil mapping (DSM) relies on machine-learning and geostatistics to represent soil property observations across space. DSM techniques are powerful but often empirical, being limited to the quality and density of point samples. Water dynamics are closely related to soil variability, and the physics that govern water movement are well known. Hydrological properties can hence be simulated by physical models through space and time, unveiling key characteristics about soils. We propose the use of hydrologic models to map soils across the surface (2D), depth (1D), and time (1D)–which provides a 4D approach to digital soil mapping (4DSM). The Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) was applied to a watershed currently under pasture. Moisture sensors and wells were installed at different depths in the watershed on summit, sideslope and toeslope positions to validate the model. DHSVM simulations of soil moisture distribution and depth to saturation were performed during the hydrological year (October 2008-September 2009). Clusters of similar pixels based on soil moisture values were determined using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) to align temporal data and K-means. Clustering was performed both seasonally and for the entire year. Temporal patterns simulated by DHSVM matched measurements given by moisture sensors and wells. Seasonal clusters differed from the annual cluster. Distinct clusters were observed for each season and with depth, showing that spatiotemporal soil variability is lost when statically assessing soils. Spatiotemporal clusters corroborated field observations of fragipan occurrence not explicitly spatially mapped by Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO). If a connection can be made between water and soils, static and dynamic soil variability can be predicted using physically based hydrologic models. Hydrologic models can benefit soil mapping by enabling reliable 4D simulation of water dynamics, which are fundamental to soil variability and soil classification and directly relate to biological, physical and chemical soil processes not captured by typical soil sampling protocols.

Abstract Background High mountainous environments are of particular interest as they play an essential role for life and human societies, while being environments which are highly vulnerable to climate change and land use intensification. Despite this, our knowledge of high mountain soils in South America and their microbial community structure is strikingly scarce, which is of more concern considering the large population that depends on the ecosystem services provided by these areas. Conversely, the Central Andes, located in the Mediterranean region of Chile, has long been studied for its singular flora, whose diversity and endemism has been attributed to the particular geological history and pronounced environmental gradients in short distances. Here, we explore soil properties and microbial community structure depending on drainage class in a well-preserved Andean valley on the lower alpine vegetation belt (~2500 m a.s.l.) at 33.5˚S. This presents an opportunity to determine changes in the overall bacterial community structure across different types of soils and their distinct layers in a soil depth profile of a highly heterogeneous environment. Methods Five sites closely located (

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: High mountainous environments are of particular interest as they play an essential role for life and human societies, while being environments which are highly vulnerable to climate change and land use intensification. Despite this, our knowledge of high mountain soils in South America and their microbial community structure is strikingly scarce, which is of more concern considering the large population that depends on the ecosystem services provided by these areas. Conversely, the Central Andes, located in the Mediterranean region of Chile, has long been studied for its singular flora, whose diversity and endemism has been attributed to the particular geological history and pronounced environmental gradients in short distances. Here, we explore soil properties and microbial community structure depending on drainage class in a well-preserved Andean valley on the lower alpine vegetation belt (~2500 m a.s.l.) at 33.5˚S. This presents an opportunity to determine changes in the overall bacterial community structure across different types of soils and their distinct layers in a soil depth profile of a highly heterogeneous environment. Methods: Five sites closely located (<1.5 km) and distributed in a well preserved Andean valley on the lower alpine vegetation belt (~2500 m a.s.l.) at 33.5˚S were selected based on a pedological approach taking into account soil types, drainage classes and horizons. We analyzed 113 soil samples using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to describe bacterial abundance, taxonomic composition, and co-occurrence networks. Results: Almost 18,427 Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASVs) affiliated to 55 phyla were detected. The bacterial community structure within the same horizons were very similar validating the pedological sampling approach. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity analysis revealed that the structure of bacterial communities in superficial horizons (topsoil) differed from those found in deep horizons (subsoil) in a site-specific manner. However, an overall closer relationship was observed between topsoil as opposed to between subsoil microbial communities. Alpha diversity of soil bacterial communities was higher in topsoil, which also showed more bacterial members interacting and with higher average connectivity compared to subsoils. Finally, abundances of specific taxa could be considered as biological markers in the transition from topsoil to subsoil horizons, like Fibrobacterota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota for shallower soils and Chloroflexi, Latescibacterota and Nitrospirota for deeper soils. Conclusions: The results indicate the importance of the soil drainage conditions for the bacterial community composition, suggesting that information of both structure and their possible ecological relationships, might be useful in clarifying the location of the edge of the topsoil-subsoil transition in mountainous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropedology bridges hydrology to pedology, and hillslope hydropedology is central in understanding soil-topography-hydropedology interrelations. Many of soil physical properties have a deterministic control on hydropedological processes. This study aimed to evaluate spatial coupling between hydropedology and some soil physical variables on a sloping landscape, which has been under rainfed wheat cultivation for over 70 years. Twenty-nine soil profiles were open and described on topslope, shoulder, backslope, footslope, and toeslope positions on hillslopes oriented in different directions. In total, 486 soil samples were taken from A, B, and C horizons at 174 sampling points and analyzed for soil properties of wilting point, organic matter content, electrical conductivity, pH, and CaCO3 content. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and infiltration rate were measured in the field during the sampling. Spatial variability of soil physical properties was analyzed by semivariograms. Soil horizonation was the most important factor controlling spatial structure of soil attributes in the study area. Majority of the semivariograms were horizon-specific in shape, geostatistical range, and spatial continuity. Many of the soil properties were strongly spatially dependent in the B horizon with a far greater geostatistical range compared to those in the A and the C horizon, suggesting that processes controlling the coupling hydropedology with soil physics were more strongly spatially dependent and continues in the B horizon than either in the A or the C horizon. The results indicated complex soil physics-hydropedology spatial coupling, which vigorously mediated by soil horizonation in the study area. More research is needed to disentangle the multitude spatial interplay of hydropedology drivers of soil, hydrology, and topography across different soil and topographic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is concerned with some key features observed within grouped samples of ancient ceramics that provide important evidence concerning the selection of appropriate raw materials and the evolution of the firing technologies employed in their production. It also demonstrates the importance of distinguishing and accounting for the mineralogical and microstructural attributes and identifying the processes responsible for the microstructural evolution of these ancient ceramics. The mineralogy largely reflects both the nature of the raw materials used and the maximum temperatures achieved during firing, deduced from the presence of specific high temperature minerals (HTMs). The microstructural evolution processes, deduced by the micromorphology of these ancient ceramics and displayed in specific features, observed in both the matrix and the slip of these ceramics, are largely controlled by the firing methods used in manufacturing. Thus, we conclude that the application of micromorphological principles, methods, and observations derived from the broad sphere of "pedology" to the study of ancient ceramics, provides valuable insights into the independent evolution of ceramic production methods in ancient societies. Thus, most of the observations recorded here concern identification of the raw materials used to make ancient ceramics and the firing processes used in their manufacture. Our data demonstrate that these ancient potters made use of a variety of temper materials (quartz and chaff, together with fragments of locally available rocks and minerals) that are now preserved in the matrix. Furthermore, analyses of the micromorphological attributes displayed by these ancient ceramics are helpful in determining and explaining the shrinkage features (stress coatings or poro-striated b-fabrics) and the preferred orientation of the elongated pores that have developed after firing in poorly controlled and slow-fired furnaces. In this regard, we finally seek to develop a useful data library ultimately targeting the enhancement of simulated ancient ceramic/pottery production, with an overall objective to apply the mineralogical and pedological properties of Anatolian ceramics researched in this work to globally selected shard specimens. Postburial processes, such as the illuviation-deposition of clay minerals to form the observed clay coatings, probably operated during the wet-dry cycles associated with mid-late Holocene climatic fluctuations. Accompanying calcification-decalcification processes, which may result from an intra cramic leaching-deposition of carbonate present in the source material of the pottery, are also consistent with the known wet-dry cycles of the mid to late Holocene pedogenesis (soil formation) episode and is reflected in the clay coatings and further attested by coeval changes in the soil-faunal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedological maps in suitable scales are scarce in most countries due to the high costs involved in soil surveying. Therefore, methods for surveying and mapping must be developed to overpass the cartographic material obtention. In this sense, this work aims at assessing a digital soil map (DSM) built by multispectral data extrapolation from a source area to a target area using the ASTER time series modeling technique. For that process, eight representative toposequences were established in two contiguous micro-watersheds, with a total of 42 soil profiles for analyses and classification. We found Ferralsols, Plinthosols, Regosols, and a few Cambisols, Arenosols, Gleisols, and Histosols, typical of tropical regions. In the laboratory, surface soil samples were submitted to spectral readings from 0.40 µm to 2.50 µm. The soil spectra were morphologically interpreted, identifying shapes and main features typical of tropical soils. Soil texture grouped the curves by cluster analysis, forming a spectral library (SL). In parallel, an ASTER time series (2001, 2004, and 2006) was processed, generating a bare soil synthetic soil image (SySI) covering 39.7% of the target area. Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis modeled the SL on the SySI generating DSM with 73% of Kappa index, in which identified about 77% is covered by rhodic Ferralsols. Besides the overestimation, the DSM represented the study area’s pedodiversity. Given the discussion raised, we consider including subsoil data and other features using other sensors in operations modeled by machine learning algorithms to improve results.

The article is devoted to the history of pediatrics in Transbaikal Region and Anna Nikolaevna Bek role in children healthcare development. The topicality of Anna Nikolaevna and Evgeniy Vladimirovich Bek works in studying of Urov disease is discussed. The little-known facts about the first kindergartens implementation in Chita are presented.

Pedological maps in suitable scales are scarce in most countries due to the high costs involved in soil surveying. Therefore, methods for surveying and mapping must be developed to overpass the cartographic material obtention. In this sense, this work aims at assessing a digital soil map (DSM) built by multispectral data extrapolation from a source area to a target area using the ASTER time series modeling technique. For that process, eight representative toposequences were established in two contiguous micro-watersheds, with a total of 42 soil profiles for analyses and classification. We found Ferralsols, Plinthosols, Regosols, and a few Cambisols, Arenosols, Gleisols, and Histosols, typical of tropical regions. In the laboratory, surface soil samples were submitted to spectral readings from 0.40 µm to 2.50 µm. The soil spectra were morphologically interpreted, identifying shapes and main features typical of tropical soils. Soil texture grouped the curves by cluster analysis, forming a spectral library (SL). In parallel, an ASTER time series (2001, 2004, and 2006) was processed, generating a bare soil synthetic soil image (SySI) covering 39.7% of the target area. Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis modeled the SL on the SySI generating DSM with 73% of Kappa index, in which identified about 77% is covered by rhodic Ferralsols. Besides the overestimation, the DSM represented the study area's pedodiversity. Given the discussion raised, we consider including subsoil data and other features using other sensors in operations modeled by machine learning algorithms to improve results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water erosion of soil in northern Morocco raises significant concerns due to its potential impact on the sustainability and productivity of the land. The objective of our study is to evaluate water erosion by utilizing magnetic susceptibility of soil particles in the watershed of the Oued Ghiss Dam. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were taken on 25cm deep profiles collected from six distinct areas, distributed based on pedology, slope, and land use. The results reveal significant variations in susceptibility. Transects 5 and 6 stand out with significantly higher magnetic susceptibility values compared to other transects, indicating relative soil stability under dense forest cover. Transect 2 also exhibits a range of magnetic susceptibility from 21.05 to 51.67 x 10-8 m³/kg, suggesting relative stability despite slight changes in magnetic susceptibility due to vegetation density and morphometric characteristics. Transects 1, 3, and 4 display lower magnetic susceptibility ranges, indicating signs of active erosion in bare soils. Magnetic signatures of soil particles provide crucial insights into soil dynamics in the Central Rif region of Morocco, emphasizing the impact of geodynamic factors and land use on the degree of evolution and degradation.

To characterize and compare the behavior of different soil substrates, Pfeiffer's Circular Chromatography technique (CPP) was employed. For this purpose, six different points were demarcated and georeferenced for sampling, respecting the limits of the Sorocaba campus (SP) of the Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar, in order to obtain heterogeneous results in view of the different forms of use and occupation and different soil classifications. Following the sampling work, the samples were appropriately separated according to soil classification, which varies depending on the dynamics of flow and overlap along the western slope of the Córrego do Ipaneminha (Ipaneminha Stream) valley, where the campus is located. Subsequently, after sieving the substrates, chromatograms were generated, following the proposal by EMBRAPA. It was observed that these chromatograms differ in color, peak shape, plume shape, and integration between the zones along the flow, indicating differences in the composition of the collected samples, considering the environmental variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the 150th anniversary of the outstanding scientist of the XX century A. A. Krogius (1871–1933), who was at the origin of Russian experimental psychology and pedology in the early 1900s, the founder of Russian typhlopsychology. Krogius was a European-famous psychologist and worked for 12 years (1919–1931) at the Saratov University, becoming the first professor of psychology in Saratov. The article considers the features of the appearance of a successful petersburgian Krogius in provincial Saratov in 1919, presents the specifics of his work at the Saratov University, analyzes the discrepancies that appeared in the Saratov period of the scientist’s life between the principles of Soviet psychology that were being formed at that time and the methodology of Krogius’ research. Using the example of his fate and the biographical method, as well as the psychological analysis of documentary sources, newspaper articles, letters, diary entries, the author showed the peculiarities of development in the 1920s and 1930s both Russian and regional Saratov psychology, associated with the rejection of the previous scientific traditions formed in domestic psychology as part of European and world science, and the process of formation of a new Soviet psychology, sometimes associated with the destruction of the specific destinies of its participants.

Despite occupying a large area of the globe and being the next agricultural frontier, sandy soils are seldom explored in scientific studies. Considering the high capacity of remote sensing in soil characterization, this work aimed to: (i) characterize sandy soils' profiles from proximal sensing; (ii) assess the ability of visible, near, and short-wave infrared (Vis-NIR-SWIR) as well as mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to distinguish soil classes of highly sandy content; (iii) quantify physical and chemical attributes of sandy soil profiles from Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR spectroscopy as well as X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Samples were described and collected from 29 sandy soil profiles. The 127 samples went under Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and chemical and physical analyses. The spectra were analyzed based on "Morphological Interpretation of Reflectance Spectrum" (MIRS), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and cluster methodology to characterize soils. The integration of different information obtained by remote sensors, such as Vis-NIR-SWIR, MIR, and Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF), allows for pedologically complex characterizations and conclusions in a short period and with low investment in analysis and reagents. The application of MIRS concepts in the VNS spectra of sandy soils showed high potential for distinguishing pedological classes of sandy soils. The MIR spectra did not show distinct patterns in the general shapes of the curves and reflectance intensities between sandy soil classes. However, even so, this region showed potential for identifying mineralogical constitution, texture, and OM contents, assuming high importance for the complementation of soil pedometric characterizations using VNS spectroscopy. The VNS and MIR data, combined or isolated, showed excellent predictive performance for the estimation of sandy soil attributes (R2 > 0.8). Sandy soil color indices, which are very important for soil classification, can be predicted with excellent accuracy (R2 from 0.74 to 0.99) using VNS spectroscopy or the combination of VNS + MIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it is aimed to determine the weathering rates of young soils formed under the same climatic conditions on different geological parent material and to examine the effects of the parent material on soil formation. Within the scope of the study, geo-chemical, physico-chemical, primary, and secondary mineralogical properties of three young soils, formed on magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary parent material, distributed around the Sandıklı district of Afyonkarahisar province in the Aegean Region of Turkey, were determined on profile-base and the dissociation indices were calculated. At the end of the study, the effect of different parent materials on soil genesis under the same climatic conditions was revealed, and weathering indices namely the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), Chemical Index of Weathering (CIW), and Base/R2O3 ratio were calculated. In this way, mineralogical, physico-chemical and geo-chemical properties, which are considered as the measurement degree of soil formation, are correlated parametrically. According to the results obtained; since sub-surface diagnostic horizons were not detected, the investigated soils were classified as Entisol since they did not complete their pedological development. When compared to the decomposition rates of soils, all three soils located on different parent materials are at the initial stage of their formation and it has been determined that soils are still under the influence of their parent materials in terms of their physico-chemical, geo-chemical and mineralogical properties.

Copyright of Tyragetia is the property of National Museum of History of Moldova and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is a variation in the depth of subsurface horizon of Planosols in semi-arid region, which may influence the agricultural potential and affect food production. The general aim of this study was to identify potentialities and limitations of two Planosols as a function of subsurface horizon depth. The adjacent profiles P1 and P2 were studied in Pentecoste (Ceará, Brazil). Morphological, physical, and chemical analyses were done aiming at soil characterization. Soil bulk density (BD), porosity, and penetration resistance (PR) were analyzed in a completely randomized split-plot design with four replicates to compare P1 and P2 and the horizons Ap and Btf. Btf was found at 62cm depth in P1 and at 18 cm depth in P2. Indicatives of water saturation were more evident in P2. The profile P1 showed lower hardness and higher friability, as well as higher acidity in subsurface (pHH2O from 4.4 to 4.7) and higher aluminum content (1.2cmolc kg-1). Both profiles were eutrophic and showed low contents of organic carbon (1.5 to 8.5g kg-1) and phosphorus (0.9 to 3.9mg kg-1). The sodium percentage in CEC was 9.1% in P1 and 5.5% in P2. Water retention increases in Btf compared with Ap was 7.3% in P2 and 2.7% in P1. Both profiles showed increase in BD in Btf, reaching 1.7g cm-3, while PR was higher in P2 (1.5 MPa). There are potentialities and limitations common to both soil profiles, but P1 has more physical potentialities and more chemical limitations than P2.

Data on the nature, properties and potentials of soils is grossly inadequate in the rainforest belt of southeastern Nigeria. As such, policymakers and other land users have tended to subscribe to unduly generalized ideas about the soils of the region. This has led to improper land use planning and aggravated land degradation. This necessitated the need for the comparative evaluation of the nature and potentials of the soils of the region to determine their degree of variability. Profile pits were dug in four towns underlain by different geologic formations: Umungwa (Benin Formation), Umuawa Ogii (Nsukka Formation), Ikpem (Igbaku Sandstones) and Amuro (Imo Clay Shales). The soils were characterized and classified using the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy and land capability classification. The variability of soils across the different sites was subsequently analysed using the coefficient of variation (CV). The results show that the variability of sand across the study sites was moderate (20 – 21 %), silt was high (63 %), clay ranged from moderate (34 %) to high (52 %), while hydraulic conductivity was very high (128 - 144 %). Similarly, with regards to the chemical properties, soil pH and base saturation ranged from moderate (20 - 49 %) to high (52 %), while effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and aluminium saturation were high (70 - 77 %). It was concluded that the soils of southeastern Nigeria are very heterogeneous. Undue generalization should consequently be discouraged.

[Display omitted] • Introducing a digital soil mapping method that uses a physically based model. • Water movement functions as a proxy for pedogenesis through covariate relationships. • Hydrologic models captured temporal trends of water tables and soil moisture. • Spatial-temporal patterns of water movement were related with fragic properties. • Hydrologic models add a time and depth component to bidimensional soil maps. Digital soil mapping (DSM) relies on machine-learning and geostatistics to represent soil property observations across space. DSM techniques are powerful but often empirical, being limited to the quality and density of point samples. Water dynamics are closely related to soil variability, and the physics that govern water movement are well known. Hydrological properties can hence be simulated by physical models through space and time, unveiling key characteristics about soils. We propose the use of hydrologic models to map soils across the surface (2D), depth (1D), and time (1D)–which provides a 4D approach to digital soil mapping (4DSM). The Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) was applied to a watershed currently under pasture. Moisture sensors and wells were installed at different depths in the watershed on summit, sideslope and toeslope positions to validate the model. DHSVM simulations of soil moisture distribution and depth to saturation were performed during the hydrological year (October 2008-September 2009). Clusters of similar pixels based on soil moisture values were determined using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) to align temporal data and K-means. Clustering was performed both seasonally and for the entire year. Temporal patterns simulated by DHSVM matched measurements given by moisture sensors and wells. Seasonal clusters differed from the annual cluster. Distinct clusters were observed for each season and with depth, showing that spatiotemporal soil variability is lost when statically assessing soils. Spatiotemporal clusters corroborated field observations of fragipan occurrence not explicitly spatially mapped by Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO). If a connection can be made between water and soils, static and dynamic soil variability can be predicted using physically based hydrologic models. Hydrologic models can benefit soil mapping by enabling reliable 4D simulation of water dynamics, which are fundamental to soil variability and soil classification and directly relate to biological, physical and chemical soil processes not captured by typical soil sampling protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, a Land Type Survey (LTSS) has been conducted of the entire country. The information available from the LTSS is readily and inexpensively made available to the public (in the form of maps and accompanying memoirs). This survey includes information on the climate, terrain and soils. The soil information given includes qualitative data (such as pedological classifications, soil profiles and soil types), as well as quantitative physical and chemical properties of representative soils tested. Such information is used primarily for agricultural purposes. This paper proposes an approach for inferring information, of relevance in reconnaissance geotechnical engineering surveys, from Land Type data, to supplement geotechnical investigation data. The proposed procedure was verified using actual information from a geotechnical report. This investigation indicated that general engineering properties can be inferred from qualitative pedological data. In addition, statistically significant engineering properties (including the grading, Atterberg Limits and the USCS and AASHTO classifications) were determined from quantitative pedological data, in 86% of cases, for the soils considered. It is evident from this research that data from the Land Type survey data can be successfully used for geotechnical investigation purposes for certain developments (such as roads and townships) where the depth of interest is relatively shallow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various pedological soil classification systems exist worldwide, including an internationally accepted system and various national systems, many of which have been incorporated into databases that include maps. Various physical and chemical soil properties are used for classifying soils according to these pedological systems. This paper proposes an approach which may be used to determine the engineering properties of soils from the physical and chemical properties that are used to pedologically classify soils by systems, and, in particular, the South African Binomial System. These engineering properties include the USCS and AASHTO classification groups which may, in turn, be used as a means of rapidly determining the general suitability of areas for proposed development, particularly during the reconnaissance investigation stages of transportation route locations and township developments, with a resultant saving of time and money. The model was verified using data from the study area, as well as from an area located approximately 190 km from the study area. A total of 88% of the classification groups determined by the model, in the study area, were correct. Furthermore, only 6% of the classifications were incorrect by a maximum of two groups. The classifications determined for the soils outside the study area were all correct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeastern Brazil is an emergent region in terms of the production of high-quality fine wines. To contribute to typicity assessment, the soils (morphology, mineralogy, chemical and physical analyses), parent material (geologic maps and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry) and climate (temperature and precipitation) were characterized in seven vineyards located in the state of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil, by carrying out state-of-the-art terroir analysis and assessing the environmental variations of the study sites. A soil profile was described and sampled in the central part of each vineyard. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) biplots were used to analyze the relationships between these factors and the composition of wines (2016, 2017 and 2018 harvests) produced from Syrah in commercial vineyards in different municipalities of Três Corações (TC), Cordislândia (COR), Andradas (AND), São Sebastião do Paraíso (SSP), Três Pontas (TP), Espírito Santo do Pinhal (PIN) and Itobí (ITO). The vineyards were grouped according to soil and climate characteristics. Group A was composed of COR, AND and PIN vineyards, which exhibited the highest correlation with soil Al3+ content and accumulated rainfall. The group’s wines had the lowest ash alkalinity, total polyphenol index (TPI) and pH values and the highest fixed acidity. Group B consisted of the TP and TC vineyards, which had the highest soil organic matter and boron contents and the highest thermal amplitude with similar values (15.4 °C in TC and 15.2 °C in TP); their wines showed average composition. Group C comprised ITO alone, which was characterized by the shallowest and least developed soils. Its wine had the highest flavonol content and high dry extract, color intensity, TPI, alcohol content and sugar values. Group D contained the SSP vineyard, in which the soil subsurface horizons were correlated with the highest wine pH. Late harvest in this vineyard caused the most dehydration of grapes and consequent concentration of most wine compounds (human effect on terroir). The terroir information produced in this study adds substantial value to the wines produced under the tropical environmental conditions of southeastern Brazil, for which such studies are very rare. By characterizing the natural factors (soil, soil parent material and climate) and human factors (vineyard management and wine characteristics) related to terroir, this study can also provide historical information about the wine from this emergent region (the historical factors). In addition, its results can be used to guide producers in their choice of vineyard cultivation sites according to preference in wine composition.

Copyright of Geosaberes: Revista de Estudos Geoeducacionais is the property of GEOSABERES - Revista de Estudos Geoducacionais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The influence of topography on soil morphology, classification and characteristic is poorly understood in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserved, Malaysia. Topographic vegetation-soil interrelations are important because the existing plants are used to indicate environmental conditions and potential forest productivity. This study aims to identify the effect of toposequence on soil morphology, soil classification, soil characteristic and forest vegetation. Five plots surveyed on 100-150 cm soil profile depth to identify soil development, soil classification and nutrient status (i.e. organic matter, Al, pH, K, Na, Ca, Mg, CEC, Base Saturation). Besides, the distribution of forest vegetation serve as the basis to evaluate the trees’ basal area and diversity. Soil subgroups ranged from Fragic Hapludults in the ridge, Typic Hapludults and Plintic Hapludults on the middle slope, Typic Hapludults on the lower slope, and Typic Hapludults in footslope. Each soil subgroup has its characteristics at various elevations (Morphology and Physio-chemical). Vegetation on each plot was dominated by species of Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Dipterocarpaceae Malvaceae, Moraceae, Verbenaceae, Phylanthaceae, and Santalaceae.

Outside of hydrologically wetted active layer soils and humidity-sensitive soil brines, low soil moisture is a limiting factor controlling biogeochemical processes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. But anecdotal field observations suggest that episodic wetting and darkening of surface soils in the absence of snowmelt occurs during high humidity conditions. Here, I analyse long-term meteorological station data to determine whether soil-darkening episodes are present in the instrumental record and whether they are, in fact, correlated with relative humidity. A strong linear correlation is found between relative humidity and soil reflectance at the Lake Bonney long-term autonomous weather station. Soil reflectance is found to decrease annually by a median of 27.7% in response to high humidity conditions. This magnitude of darkening is consistent with soil moisture rising from typical background values of < 0.5 wt.% to 2–3 wt.%, suggesting that regional atmospheric processes may result in widespread soil moisture generation in otherwise dry surface soils. Temperature and relative humidity conditions under which darkening is observed occur for hundreds of hours per year, but are dominated by episodes occurring between midnight and 07h00 local time, suggesting that wetting events may be common, but are not widely observed during typical diel science operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There is an ever-growing need for soil maps, since detailed soil information is directly related to agricultural activities, urbanization and environmental protection. However, there is a lack of large-scale soil maps in developing tropical countries such as Brazil. Albeit there are soil maps for small areas, large regions usually have undetailed maps. Considering the importance of finding low-cost alternatives to overcome the lack of detailed soil information, the main objective of this work was to manually create a local soil map and extrapolate it to similar larger areas that lack detailed soil information. The Anhumas River Basin, in the municipality of Itajubá, southeast Brazil, was manually mapped and this map was used to predict soils distribution for the entire municipality. First, the prediction model was tested in the same basin and provided sufficient results, achieving 67% global accuracy and 0.62 Kappa coefficient. Second, the resulting map was used together with the soil map of the larger José Pereira Basin to map the entire municipality, achieving 54% global accuracy and 0.40 Kappa coefficient. Low resolution parent material information was found to confuse models; maps showed better results when this variable was removed. The Minas Gerais soil map presents general mapping units only for the Acrisol class and its associations with other soil classes in the area. The soil map predicted by this work identified more soil classes. Mapping representative areas and extrapolating these maps to larger similar areas constitute a promising alternative to overcome the lack of detailed soil maps.

Despite occupying a large area of the globe and being the next agricultural frontier, sandy soils are seldom explored in scientific studies. Considering the high capacity of remote sensing in soil characterization, this work aimed to: (i) characterize sandy soils’ profiles from proximal sensing; (ii) assess the ability of visible, near, and short-wave infrared (Vis-NIR-SWIR) as well as mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to distinguish soil classes of highly sandy content; (iii) quantify physical and chemical attributes of sandy soil profiles from Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR spectroscopy as well as X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Samples were described and collected from 29 sandy soil profiles. The 127 samples went under Vis-NIR-SWIR and MIR spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and chemical and physical analyses. The spectra were analyzed based on “Morphological Interpretation of Reflectance Spectrum” (MIRS), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and cluster methodology to characterize soils. The integration of different information obtained by remote sensors, such as Vis-NIR-SWIR, MIR, and Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF), allows for pedologically complex characterizations and conclusions in a short period and with low investment in analysis and reagents. The application of MIRS concepts in the VNS spectra of sandy soils showed high potential for distinguishing pedological classes of sandy soils. The MIR spectra did not show distinct patterns in the general shapes of the curves and reflectance intensities between sandy soil classes. However, even so, this region showed potential for identifying mineralogical constitution, texture, and OM contents, assuming high importance for the complementation of soil pedometric characterizations using VNS spectroscopy. The VNS and MIR data, combined or isolated, showed excellent predictive performance for the estimation of sandy soil attributes (R2 > 0.8). Sandy soil color indices, which are very important for soil classification, can be predicted with excellent accuracy (R2 from 0.74 to 0.99) using VNS spectroscopy or the combination of VNS + MIR.

Copyright of Revista Tamoios is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Agricolas is the property of University of Narino, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Arqueologia is the property of Revista de Arqueologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The news that Professor Matko Bogunović, a distinguished teacher, scientist, expert and true gentleman, had left us forever, was received with sadness and disbelief by his many friends, colleagues and acquaintances. He left an indelible mark on Croatia through his tireless work on developing and improving pedological science in teaching and the profession.

Background. Pedology is the study of soil genesis in its natural state. One way to assess the strength and productivity of a scientific field is to measure the number of publications over time. The number of soil papers published worldwide has almost doubled in the last ten years. However, that has not been the case in Eastern Africa, where this review is conducted. The scarcity of research in pedology motivates this study. Objectives. To review and analyze trends of publications in pedology/soil survey for the last ten years in (2010 - 2019) in Eastern Africa. Methodology. A search of scientific literature using Google and Google Scholar was conducted from 2010 - 2019. The search terms used were - soil survey, soil characterization, pedological characterization, and each of the Eastern African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Sudan). We then scrutinized the abstracts to find quantitative data on geographical locations. Additional articles were reviewed by checking through the reference lists of relevant studies in the peer-reviewed articles. Results. 56 scientific articles, 3 MSc/PhD theses reports, and 4 project reports/ proceedings were included for the full review. Out of this, 39 journal papers were identified and reviewed based on the years they were published, and the countries where they were published. Most articles were published in 2018. The data was then split into two segments, from the years 2010 - 2014 and 2015 - 2019. Between the years 2015 to 2019, a total of 36 articles were published compared to the years 2010 to 2014 where a total of 15 articles were published. This shows a slight increase in publications for the years under study. From the 56 articles, Ethiopia records the highest number of published articles from various journals having a total of 25 papers constituting 45% closely followed by Tanzania, having 27% equivalent to 15 papers. Kenya comes third in the overall ranking at 13% with 7 papers. The last three countries are Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda with 10%, 3%, and 2% respectively. Implications. The results suggest that pedology seems to be a disappearing skill in the Eastern Africa region. Though there has been a spike in publications from 2015-2018, the current situation must be improved as there are limited publications from 2010 - 2019. Conclusion. The study shows that there have been a low number of publications in Eastern African countries. Ethiopia which has the highest number of publications shows the most promise in soil pedology publications. There is a need for an increase in pedology research which is important for agricultural production and land use planning.

ABSTRACT Soils with andic properties are characterized by a low apparent density, variable charges, large amounts of allophanes, imogolite, ferrihydrite, and/or organo-metallic complexes with Al, and present high phosphate retention. Soils derived from non-pyroclastic materials rich in silicates, formed under a cold and humid climate, a large amount of organic carbon, acid weathering, andic properties can manifest when a large amount of Al is present in the form of organo-metallic complexes. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and geographical expression of soils with such properties in areas of altitude in the extreme south of Brazil, on the escarpment edges of the Serra Geral Formation, under a cold and humid climate. The sampling points were selected based on environmental characteristics such as geomorphology, geology, the coloration of the superficial horizon of the soil, and position in the landscape, covering a linear distance of approximately 185 km at the escarpment edge between the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Soil samples were described and collected from ten soils with histic horizon O, three soils with humic horizon, and one soil with histic horizon H. The undisturbed soil samples were collected using volumetric metallic cylinder to determine the soil bulk density. Organic matter, pH(H2O), P retention, and selective dissolutions of Al, Fe, and Si analyses were performed. The Cambissolos Hísticos and Organossolos Fólicos showed andic properties, while the Cambissolos Húmicos and Organossolo Háplico did not meet one or more criteria, as required by the Brazilian Soil Classification System and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources. The horizons with andic properties were classified as aluandic, based on the predominance of Al associated with organic complexes. The cold climate and high cloudiness of the highest altitude areas in the extreme south of Brazil, occurring in a narrow strip of the escarpment of the Serra Geral Formation in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, allow the formation of a constantly humid environment. This environment favors the acid weathering of the source material, accumulation of organic matter in the soil, and its stabilization by the formation of organo-metallic complexes, mainly Al-humus. The combination of these factors gives the soils with histic horizons O a low bulk density, high phosphate retention, and Alo + ½Feo ≥2 % values, meeting the criteria required for andic properties.

ABSTRACT: In Brazil several digital soil class mapping studies were carried out from 2006 onwards to maximize the use of existing maps and information and to provide estimates for wider areas. However, there is no consensus on which methods have produced superior results in the predictive value of soil maps. This study conducts a systematic review of digital soil class mapping in Brazil and aims to analyze the factors which can improve the accuracy of digital soil class maps. Data from 334 digital soil class mapping studies were grouped and analyzed by Student's t-test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. When conventional maps were used for validation, the studies showed average values of 63 % and when field samples were used, 56 % for Overall Accuracy. Studies compatible with the Planimetric Cartographic Accuracy Standard for Digital Cartographic Products (PEC-PCD) averaged between 4 % and 15 % higher accuracy than those of the incompatible group. There seems to be no evidence that increasing the number of variables and samples results in more accurate soil map prediction, but studies using variables related to four soil-forming factors enhanced accuracy. From a density of 0.08 MU km–2 and upwards, it became more difficult for studies to obtain greater accuracy. Artificial neural network classifiers and Decision Tree models seem to be producing more accurate digital soil class maps.

Abstract The Brazilian Congress of Soil Science (Congresso Brasileiro de Ciência do Solo - CBCS) is the oldest soil science event in South America. The CBCS had 29,643 participants and 23,621 publications in 30 thematic areas between 1947 and 2017. There were only five editions of the CBCS (1947-1979) in which Soil Fertility did not produce the highest number of papers. Standardization of Soil Study Methods and Representation/Soil Teaching was the most prolific in one year, and Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Cartography produced the most papers in the other four years. Subsequently, the area renamed as Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition had the highest number of papers. By grouping papers into the scientific divisions of the Brazilian Society of Soil Science (Sociedade Brasileira de Ciência do Solo - SBCS), we verify that the division of Soil Use and Management had the most papers in most congresses. In 2017, the number of papers and the number of male researchers in the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development were associated for each thematic area. The trends in CBCS publications were influenced by the natural and historic-economic characteristics of the country, in addition to changes that occurred in SBCS, universities, research institutes, and legislation.

The influence of topography on soil morphology, classification and characteristic is poorly understood in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserved, Malaysia. Topographic vegetation-soil interrelations are important because the existing plants are used to indicate environmental conditions and potential forest productivity. This study aims to identify the effect of toposequence on soil morphology, soil classification, soil characteristic and forest vegetation. Five plots surveyed on 100-150 cm soil profile depth to identify soil development, soil classification and nutrient status (i.e. organic matter, Al, pH, K, Na, Ca, Mg, CEC, Base Saturation). Besides, the distribution of forest vegetation serve as the basis to evaluate the trees' basal area and diversity. Soil subgroups ranged from Fragic Hapludults in the ridge, Typic Hapludults and Plintic Hapludults on the middle slope, Typic Hapludults on the lower slope, and Typic Hapludults in footslope. Each soil subgroup has its characteristics at various elevations (Morphology and Physio-chemical). Vegetation on each plot was dominated by species of Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Dipterocarpaceae Malvaceae, Moraceae, Verbenaceae, Phylanthaceae, and Santalaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past builders have developed very low-embodied energy construction techniques optimizing the use of local building materials. These techniques are a source of inspiration for modern sustainable building. Unfortunately, this know-how was orally transmitted and was lost as earth construction fell into disuse during the 20th century in European countries. The absence of written documents makes necessary to use an archaeological approach in order to rediscover these construction strategies. Micromorphological analysis of thin sections collected in earth building walls was used for the first time to describe cob construction technique and highlighted several typical pedofeatures allowing to clearly identifying this process. Finally, a first comparison of the cob and rammed earth micromorphological features permitted to identify two key factors to distinguish these two techniques, the manufacturing state (solid or plastic) and the organization of the material in the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2014 a 13-metres long palaeopedological section has been sampled in the courtyard of Sant’Orsola Hospital (Bologna) to make a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the area and to better understand the environmental dynamics occurring at the Chalcolithic site found at the depth of 5 metres. Pedological horizons have been grouped in 14 Soil Units (SU), 3 of which show a strong blackening. Chronological reference points are the 13230±70 cal. yr BP radiocarbon dated ACkb horizon of SU 10 (the lowest black horizon), the Chalcolithic charcoal horizon of SU 4 (the topmost) and the top-section Roman horizon of SU 1, the latter recognised thanks to some ceramic fragments. The other black horizon didn’t show specific characters on the field.Fossa Cavallina creek is the main driver of local depositional and environmental dynamics, while human presence is a subordinate factor. At first, geomorphological and chemical multianalysis have provided data to understand pedological conditions; secondly, palynological analysis has not only allowed to better characterise the environmental changes and their local drivers, but it also permitted to putatively assign the basal SU 14 to the Bølling interstadial, even though no diagnostic pedological features [AES 7b Vignola Unit’s A-Bw-Bt-Bk-C 2 m-thick reddish dark brown non calcareous Alfisol sensu Martelli et al. (editors), 2009] had been found. These results stress the striking importance of an integrated geomorphological, pedological and palynological approach towards the study of continental pedogenised deposits.

The identification of paleosols is difficult when no buried horizons or lithification occur. Here, we described the identification of a possible paleosol, its characterization, and which features supported its positive diagnosis. In a construction site, a vertical cut exposed an unusual red–yellow mottling with massive structure and channels (probably faunal), in contrast with the overlying homogeneous red Oxisol with fine granular structure. A similar but more deferrified section with white–yellow mottling also occurred nearby, and both were sampled as large clods. In thin sections, many oriented clay coatings occur along channel voids, suggesting illuviation, as well as dissolving Fe nodules and Mn coatings along planar and channel voids. X-ray diffraction showed a clay dominated by kaolinite, traces of illite, and absence of gibbsite, again contrasting with the gibsitic-kaolinitic clay of the Oxisol. We confirmed the diagnosis of a Paleoultisol due to the following incompatibilities with the overlying Oxisol: (1) massive, apedal structure, and higher bulk density; (2) clay coatings indicative of illuviation as key soil-forming process; (3) low clay contents in particle-size analysis due to cementation; (4) very low organic carbon consistent with long-term inhumation; and (5) kaolinitic–illitic clay. The unusual granular microstructure of the B horizon of the Oxisol is partly derived from disintegration and desilication of the Paleoultisol.