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Current knowledge and future research directions to link soil health and water conservation in the Ogallala Aquifer region.

Authors :
Cano, Amanda
Núñez, Agustín
Acosta-Martinez, Veronica
Schipanski, Meagan
Ghimire, Rajan
Rice, Charles
West, Charles
Source :
Geoderma. Oct2018, Vol. 328, p109-118. 10p.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

The Ogallala Aquifer is one of the largest freshwater aquifers in the world. It acts as a valuable resource in agriculture, animal production, and public water supplies across eight Great Plains states. However, with high irrigation demand, low recharge rates across most of the region, and extreme climate variability, the Ogallala Aquifer has become an exhaustible resource. Some areas of the Ogallala Aquifer region (OAR) are challenged with the transition of irrigated crop systems to dryland production and how to select sustainable management practices to conserve water and soil health. The main goal of this review is to identify the role of soil health in adapting to extreme climate variability with reduced irrigated water. We will describe the OAR, define roles of microorganisms and soil organic matter (SOM) in soil health, outline potential soil health indicators and common methodology, and discuss the importance of soil health assessments and management challenges facing the OAR. Information on this arid to semiarid region will aid in future soil health assessments in regions facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00167061
Volume :
328
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Geoderma
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
129869768
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.04.027