Monitoring land degradation in the semiarid tropics using an inferential approach: the Kabomo basin case study,Nigeria

Lack of baseline data on soil fertility status for most semiarid areas to a very large extent hampers the success of land degradation monitoring. However, this can be overcome by adopting an inferential approach which presupposes that soils of an area of uniform geologic, geomorphic and climatic characteristics differ mainly because of the uses to which they are put. On this basis, soil conditions of a long-standing vegetation community can be used to assess the extent of soil changes resulting from land-use practices, provided that both the vegetation community and the land-use plots are located in an area having the uniform environmental parameters noted above. This approach was adopted in the Kabomo area of Nigeria, a typical semiarid tropical ecosystem, to monitor the extent of soil degradation resulting from 20 years (1972–92) of arable farming, livestock ranching and legume grass farming. Using a systematic sampling procedure, topsoil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (20–30 cm) samples were collected from both the long-standing vegetation community plot (over 80 years old) which was chosen to serve as the control, and the three land-use plots. The collected samples were then analysed for texture, bulk density, water content, water stable aggregates greater than 0·50 mm, organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable bases. The mean value of every property for each plot was then divided by the mean value of the same property for the control plot in order to assess the extent of change (i.e. extent of degradation) in the property. The Student's t-test was then used to assess the significance of such a change. The results obtained revealed that, in general, the mean values of the various soil properties, with the exception of sand and bulk density, have declined by between 3 per cent and 72 per cent, and in most cases the declines are statistically significant. Sand and bulk density, on the other hand, show some increases of between 6 per cent and 78 per cent, though only the increase in respect of the sand fractions are statistically significant. Similarly, it was observed that the extent of degradation was much greater under the arable land and least under the livestock ranching plot. The potential causes of these trends were discussed, while suggestions were offered on how best to utilize this approach in carrying out effective monitoring of land resources in the semiarid tropics. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Agricultural land needs protection

Abstract

Since 1960, the amount of arable land per capita in the world has decreased from 0.41 to 0.21 ha. During recent decades, there has also been a significant increase in the impact of soil degradation. It is estimated that 5–10 million ha of agricultural land are abandoned every year as a result of soil degradation and the construction of buildings and infrastructure. The Nordic and Baltic countries have on average more arable land per capita and larger water resources than many other areas of the world. Land and water resources are expected to become gradually more critical, and Northern European arable land is likely to increase in importance in contributing to our basic food and bioenergy demands. It is important that these land resources are protected for future generations. Therefore, soil degradation and exploitation of arable land needs more attention from individuals, society and governments.     

Rationale and methods for compiling an atlas of desertification in Italy

This study presents the main results and the methodology used in the creation of the atlas of the risk of desertification in Italy. A desertified area was defined as an unproductive area for agricultural or forestry use, due to soil degradation processes. An area at risk of desertification was a tract of the earth's surface which is vulnerable or sensitive to the processes of desertification. In a vulnerable land, environmental characteristics are close to that of a desertified area, but some factors (e.g. vegetation cover or irrigation), successfully mitigate the desertification process. On the other hand, sensitive land is a surface where the process leading to desertification is active, although the land is not yet unproductive. The DPSIR (Driving force‐Pressure‐State‐Impact‐Response) framework has been adopted as a reference. Using the national soil information system and socio‐economic layers, an atlas of indicators of desertification risks was created, which was organized into different soil degradation systems. 51.8 per cent of Italy was considered to be at potential risk of desertification. Some 21.3 per cent of Italy (41.1 per cent of the area at potential risk) featured land degradation phenomena. Specifically, 4.3 per cent of Italy is already unproductive; 4.7 per cent is sensitive and 12.3 per cent is vulnerable. In the territory at potential risk of desertification, unproductive lands, plus areas vulnerable or sensitive to soil erosion, are at least the 19 per cent. Areas affected by aridity also sum up to 19 per cent. Salt‐affected soils in Italy are estimated to cover >1 million ha. Irrigation can mitigate soil aridity and salinization, nevertheless, only about 15 per cent of the sensitive and vulnerable lands of southern Italy are actually equipped with irrigation networks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LAND RESOURCES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN: STATUS,PRESSURES, TRENDS AND IMPACTS ON FUTURE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Mediterranean region covers about 854 million ha, but only 118 million (or 14 per cent) are suitable for agricultural production. In North Africa and the Middle East (MENA), agricultural land covers about 5 per cent; in Egypt and Algeria, it occupies less than 4 per cent and, in Libya, less than 2 per cent of the total national land area. Across the Mediterranean region land use divides between natural pastures/rangelands (ca. 15 per cent), forests and woodlands (ca. 8 per cent), with the ca. 63 per cent remaining desert sands, shallow, rocky, saline, sodic soils and areas effectively sealed by urbanisation. Land degradation is a severe problem in most Mediterranean countries. Estimates for the period 1961 to 2020 show that although the Mediterranean population is likely to more than double, ca. 8.3 million ha of agricultural land (7 per cent) may be lost as a result of continued urbanisation and land degradation. If these estimates are correct, agricultural land per capita would more than halve from ca. 0.48 ha (1961) to ca. 0.21 ha in 2020. Food security is likely to become increasingly problematic, especially in the MENA countries, which require a major reassessment of their agricultural development policy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ASSESSMENT OF LAND COVER CHANGES AND THEIR EFFECT ON SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND SOIL TOTAL NITROGEN IN DAQING PREFECTURE,CHINA

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of land cover changes on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) in the Daqing Prefecture of China, where heavy industrialisation in the form of dense oil wells has impacted the environment. Time‐series presentations for the period 1978 to 2008 of remotely sensed data and soil survey data were used to assess the extent of the changes. The study revealed soil degradation under all land cover types and in all soil types, grassland retreat (−15 per cent), swampland retreat (−45 per cent) and increases in the area of farmland (+19 per cent), sand land (+1450 per cent) and alkaline land (+52 per cent). Depletion of the SOC pool occurred in swampland (−64 per cent) both because of the decrease in the area of swampland and because of a decrease in SOC density (−34 per cent). An increase in the SOC pool occurred in alkaline land because of the increase in the area and also because of an increase in SOC density (+297 per cent), but there was little change in the SOC pool in farmland because the increase in area was largely offset by a decrease in SOC density (−14 per cent). The decrease in the STN pool was substantial (−44 per cent), with the largest contributor being the decrease in swamplands (−74 per cent), partly because of the decrease in the area of swampland and partly because of a decrease in STN density (−52 per cent). Large decreases in the STN pool also occurred in farmland (−22 per cent) and grassland (−41 per cent). The direct impacts of construction associated with the expansion of the oil industry were overshadowed by indirect impacts such as interference with water flows and water levels resulting in salinisation of soil. The study also revealed that land cover changes are much more dynamic than a simple analysis would reveal, and because of lag times in the loss of SOC, soil degradation will continue even if land cover changes cease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

发展中国家或地区农业发展的土地限制性分析

发展中国家或地区耕地数量和农业用地质量变化是影响农业可持续发展和粮食安全的重要因素之一。分析发展中国家或地区1993-2002年耕地数量变动．结果表明耕地总量波动但人均耕地数量减少．从区域农业自然条件禀赋差异、耕地退化弃耕与可耕地用途改变、人口数量与人口增长等方面分析耕地数量变动的原因；利用1990～2004年的人口变动资料建立二次曲线模型，预测2010年和2025年人口数量并讨论其对耕地的压力。综述发展中国家或地区农业用地质量限制性的现状，分析边地耕作、风蚀与水蚀、化学与物理性因素、有机物投入、信用限制与灌溉面积比重等因素对农业用地质量的限制以及农业用地质量退化对农业的影响。最后讨论发展中国家或地区加强农业用地管理以应对耕地数量和农业用地质量限制问题。     

Degradation propensity in Australian land tenure systems

Land degradation and its management have profound effects on environmental quality and sustainability. Given the diverse range of environmental conditions and land uses across Australia, it is not uncommon for land degradation to occur on many different tenure types. This paper presents an analysis of the relationships between soil physical and chemical limitations, different degradation types and their interactions with varying tenure classes. Three continental scale datasets were used in this analysis to analyse degradation propensity in Australian land tenure systems. The datasets comprised: The Australian Land Information Groups (AUSLIG) Land Tenure classification at a 1:5 million scale; the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)/Bureau of Resource Sciences (BRS) Soil Limitations for Agriculture classification at a 1:2 million scale; and a BRS classification of land degradation types and occurrence in Australia at a 1:20 million scale. The continental coverages were rasterized and summarized as a three-way contingency table of counts. The analysis of the three-way contingency table included: summary histograms; a non-parametric analysis of the cumulative empirical distribution functions; and the use of a generalized linear model (GLM). Over 60 per cent of the Australian continent is classified and used as agricultural land, which has a significant influence on the Australian environment. These agricultural lands are predominantly divided into two tenure types: freehold (20 per cent) and crown leasehold (42 per cent). The analysis indicates that although crown leasehold land has a large percentage of lands vulnerable to degradation, these lands are less degraded than the freehold lands, which have fewer soil physical and chemical limitations to agriculture. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating land use/land cover changes and fragmentation in the Camili forest planning unit of northeastern Turkey from 1972 to 2005

Changes in land use/land cover have important consequences on the management of natural resources including soil and water quality, global climatic systems and biodiversity. This study analysed the spatial and temporal pattern of land use/land cover change in the Camili forest planning unit that includes the Camili Biosphere Reserve Area within the Caucasian hotspot, in the northeast corner of Turkey. To assess the patterns during a 33‐year period, the necessary data were obtained from forest stand maps and evaluated with Geographic Information Systems and FRAGSTATS. Results showed that the total forested areas increased from 19 946·5 ha (78·6% of the study area) in 1972 to 20 797·3 ha (81·9 per cent) in 2005 with a slight net increase of 851 ha. Softwood cover types (411·8 ha) completely transitioned to other cover types over 33‐year period. In terms of spatial configuration, the total number of forest fragments increased from 172 to 608, and mean size of forest patch (MPS) decreased from 147·7 ha to 41·8 ha during the period. Nearly 84 per cent of the patches in 1972 and 93 per cent of them in 2005 generally seem to concentrate into 0–100 ha patch size class, indicating more fragmented landscape over time that might create a risk for the maintenance of biodiversity of the area. There were apparent trends in the temporal structure of forest landscape, some of which may issue from mismanagement of the area, social conflict, and illegal utilization of forest resources due to ineffective forest protection measurements. The study revealed that it is important to understand both spatial and temporal changes of land use/land cover and their effects on landscape pattern to disclose the implications for land use planning and management. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

沂蒙山区小流域坡耕地土壤颗粒结构与养分退化特征

为探讨坡耕地土壤退化程度及其与坡度的关系,在沂蒙山区选择典型小流域,通过测定流域内不同坡度坡耕地、弃耕地与生态林地的土壤颗粒组成、分形维数、土壤养分质量分数的变化及其相关性,研究坡耕地土壤颗粒结构与养分退化特征。结果表明：1）所有土地利用类型,土壤砂粒体积分数最高,黏粒体积分数最低,平均值分别为70．81％、0．75％;2）土壤颗粒分形维数、有机质质量分数为生态林地〉弃耕地〉坡耕地;3）坡耕地土壤颗粒分形维数随坡度增加而减小,其大小与土壤粉粒和黏粒体积分数分别呈极显著、显著正相关;4）所有土地利用类型,土壤有机质质量分数与砂粒体积分数显著负相关,与粉粒和黏粒体积分数显著正相关,土壤氮、磷、钾养分质量分数与土壤颗粒体积分数相关性不显著;5）研究区土壤具有粗骨性砂土的物理特性,坡耕地耕作或坡度加大会增强土壤粉粒和黏粒的流失,导致土壤颗粒分布的均匀性及其分维数下降,水肥保蓄性能和养分质量分数降低。     

Land degradation: socioeconomic and environmental causes and consequences in the eastern Mediterranean

Land degradation is a natural and socioeconomic cause–effect phenomenon that is widespread all over the world. This study investigated the socioeconomic factors and causes of land degradation (e.g. population growth and urbanization, poverty, overgrazing, pollution, biodiversity, erosion) in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region. The study revealed a significant land use change from agricultural and natural vegetation to urbanized areas due to the high population increase during the last ca. 80 years (51‐times the magnitude of the total built‐up area). The high poverty rate that exists in the area (57 per cent of the population can be classed as ‘poor’) has resulted in damaging environmental practices (overgrazing and intensive usage of natural plants); we found 83 per cent of the farmers admitted to the adoption of these practices. Poverty has also resulted in an inverse and significant correlation (at the 95 per cent confidence level) between holding size and the sale of land for urban uses. We also noted that 75 per cent of the smallholder farmers surveyed had sold their lands for immediate benefits to cope with poverty. This relation was affected by the education level of the farmers; we found a direct and significant (95 per cent confidence level) correlation existed between these factors. Overgrazing was practised by 70 per cent of the farmers and was found to be one of the most important environmental consequences of land use change (1600 ha have been transformed from natural grazing to built‐up (urban) in the study area). Socio‐economic induced land degradation demands efforts to improve farmer environmental awareness as well as environmental standards, laws and bylaws and the reduction of mismanagement of land. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Environmental conditions and chemical time bomb hazards in Poland

Observations on the state of the environment, soil properties, soil hazards and some possible changes in soil parameters are discussed. Sandy and light loamy soils cover more than 50 per cent of the arable land in Poland. About 58 per cent of soils are acid (pH<5-5) in the surface layer and 25 per cent in the layer from 100 to 150 cm. About 51-3 per cent of soils are very vulnerable to pollution. According to a BIGLEB-SOWEP prognosis, in the year 2000 about 13 per cent of soils will be seriously at risk from chemical degradation. Acidification will proceed due to increases in the emission of SO2 and NOx, and the end of liming. the environmental conditions in Poland favour delayed responses to environmental hazards: chemical time bombs.     

Environmental impact of quarries on natural resources in Lebanon

Years of unregulated mining activity have left hundreds of abandoned quarries across Lebanon. Satellite images show that the number of quarries and areas they cover increased, from 784 quarries covering 2897 ha in 1989, to 1278 quarries covering 5267 ha in 2005. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of quarrying activities on scarce Eastern Mediterranean natural resources. The assessment is based on the computation of spatial indicators such as rainfall, slope gradient, vegetation cover, soil erosion risk, and rock infiltration, using GIS to appraise critical impacts on the Lebanese ecosystem. Compared with the 1989 baseline, the area consumed by quarries in 2005 increased more than three times over former arable lands, one third for forest lands and doubled for pasture lands. Quarries additionally destroyed 676, 137, and 737 ha of productive lands, respectively. The comparison of quarry distribution with the land capability map revealed that quarries are found mainly on productive soils, consuming 1314 ha in 1989 and 2192 ha in 2005 of prime lands. A total of 87 per cent of studied quarries represent serious hazards to groundwater quality. In general, a total of 272 quarries have high impact, 657 quarries have moderate impact, and 349 quarries have low impact on natural ecosystems. Analyzed data revealed that around 62 per cent of the quarries are located in a highly unsuitable environment. This paper presents recent findings from the Eastern Mediterranean for territorial suitability assessment of quarries to be considered in the frame of natural resources and coastal ecosystems management. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modelling study of nitrogen deposited to arable land from the atmosphere and its contribution to nitrate leaching

Abstract. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) makes a significant contribution to the N inputs to agricultural systems and is a major eutrophying and acidifying input to natural and semi-natural ecosystems. We have estimated the nitrogen deposited to arable land at Rothamsted and at two Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in the UK, Lichfield and the River Waveney. Using the SUNDIAL N cycle model calibrated against measured soil mineral N and leaching losses at Rothamsted, we have calculated the contribution of deposited N to nitrate leaching under a range of crops growing on the major soil series in the NVZs. Approximately 44, 46 and 28 kg N/ha per yr are deposited to arable land around Rothamsted and in the Lichfield and Waveney NVZs, respectively. Most of this is dry-deposited in oxidized forms: nitrogen dioxide and nitric acid are the main components, arising mostly from industry, home heating and vehicle emissions. SUNDIAL predicts that current total leaching losses from arable crops average 39 kg N/ha per yr in the Lichfield NVZ anti 22 kg/ha per yr in the Waveney NVZ. Atsmospheric N contributes about 28% of the N leached from arable land in the Lichfield NVZ and 17% in the Waveney NVZ, a very significant amount. There is little variation in total leaching or the atmospheric contribution to it between soil series within each NVZ, but much variation with crop type and the weather: atmospheric N can comprise over 40% of the N leached under spring cereals in some years.     

Assessing the costs of land degradation: a case study for the Puentes catchment,southeast Spain

Whereas many studies point out the economic benefits of controlling land degradation through sustainable land management (SLM) approaches, there is often a lack of local adoption of SLM techniques. Analysis of the local impacts and costs of land degradation is critical for understanding farmers' responses to land degradation. The objective of this paper is to analyse the local costs of land degradation in the Puentes catchment in southeast Spain. This catchment has been identified as particularly vulnerable to erosion, yet farmers show a general lack of interest in applying erosion control techniques. The paper subsequently analyses land degradation processes in the Puentes catchment, the income derived from agriculture and several other ecosystem services, and the local costs of land degradation. Erosion is widespread in the catchment, comprising sheet and rill erosion as well as gulley erosion. Relatively high erosion rates are encountered in cropland. The most important source of local income is irrigated agriculture, with revenues of up to €1350/ha y⁻¹. Dryland agriculture, hunting and herding provide additional income. The costs of erosion on cropland, calculated with a replacement method, vary from around €5/ha y⁻¹ on slopes between five per cent and ten per cent, to around €50/ha y⁻¹ on slopes between 30 per cent and 50 per cent. Except on the steepest slopes, these costs are relatively low for the farmers, which explains the limited application of erosion control techniques in the catchment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

毛乌素沙地西南缘不同土地利用类型土壤颗粒分形特征

为揭示毛乌素沙地西南缘农田、荒地、草地、灌丛沙堆和林地等土地利用类型的土壤分形特征与防风固沙效果的关系,采用野外取样与室内粒度分析相结合的方法,分析了该区5种土地利用类型的土壤颗粒粒径分布、分形维数以及土层深度与分形维数间关系。结果表明:(1)草地、灌丛沙堆以及林地的土壤粒度组成以极细沙、细沙和中砂为主,耕地和荒地则以粉粒和细砂为主;(2)研究区不同土地利用方式的土壤粒径分布和分形维数差异明显,荒地>农田>灌丛沙堆>草地>林地,随土层深度增加,林地分形维数值减小,草地分形维数值增大,荒地、农田和灌丛沙堆分形维数值变化不大;(3)分形维数与<100 μm和>100 μm粒径含量分别呈显著正相关和负相关,其大小由<100 μm的极细砂粒和粉粒含量决定。研究区内5种土地利用类型土壤颗粒粒径分布与分形维数差异显著,这综合反映出在不同植被效应与人为耕作后,土壤的颗粒组成会发生明显变化。研究结果可为毛乌素沙地西南缘防沙治沙以及土壤恢复提供理论依据。     

河南省土壤及地形与耕地多样性格局的特征

耕地分布受众多自然因素的影响,土壤、地形与之密切相关。选取河南省作为研究区,利用改进的仙农熵测度法和互熵关联分析法对河南省地形、土壤与耕地多样性格局特征进行分析。结果表明:河南省18个地市的地形、土壤的构成组分多样性与各要素的类别丰富度有关,与面积大小呈弱相关;其中地形、土壤与其丰富度值的相关系数分别为0.79和0.35,而与面积大小的相关系数小于0.1。基于土壤空间分布多样性指数大小的分级划分河南省的优势土类是潮土和褐土,劣势土类是盐土和碱土,且不同地市的土壤空间分布多样性格局有显著差异,显示河南省土壤类型的丰富性。土壤及地形要素与耕地多样性格局的相关性表现为:地形与耕地的空间分布多样性相关关系除豫南的盆地和豫西丘陵、山地外,整体为平原丘陵山地;土壤与耕地的空间分布多样性之间的关联度与河南省土壤空间分布多样性的格局特征具有基本一致性。     

Estimating the effects of set-aside on water quality: scaling-up of lysimeter studies

Since 1990, agriculture in the five new federal states of Germany has experienced a fundamental structural change. As much as 10 per cent of the 6·2 million ha of previously intensively farmed agricultural land were set-aside abruptly. In the spring of 1991, a lysimeter trial (filled with soils common in the catchment area of the Elbe River), was set up to investigate the impact of set-aside on the water and solute balance. The studies proved that restricting agricultural use in areas previously farmed intensively by converting them into permanent or rotation fallow will result in measurable changes in deep percolation (ground-water recharge) and water quality in less than one year. The results of the lysimeter studies were extrapolated to calculate the effects of set-aside in a catchment area (about 2 500 ha) with similar meteorological and soil conditions. The calculations showed that increasing the area under rotation fallow from 8 to 15 per cent increases the nitrogen load of the stream draining the catchment by about 5 per cent. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EFFECTS OF CONVERTING FOREST TO AVOCADO ORCHARDS ON TOPSOIL PROPERTIES IN THE TRANS‐MEXICAN VOLCANIC SYSTEM,MEXICO

In the present work, land cover and land use changes between 2003 and 2008 were assessed in the Cupatitzio River sub‐basin located in the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic System and Balsas Depression in Mexico. The effects of land cover conversion from temperate forest to avocado orchards on soil properties were determined. Land cover and land use databases were built for the years 1975, 2003, and 2008 using available cartographic information and interpretation of panchromatic SPOT images for the year 2008. Additionally, soil sampling was carried out in 16 representative sites in the higher parts of the sub‐basin, where avocado plantation dynamics have caused important changes in areas covered by temperate forests. Results show that (i) temperate coniferous and tropical low deciduous forests were reduced at an annual rate of 0·9 per cent (1, 001 ha y⁻¹) between 1975 and 2008; (ii) cropland areas expanded at an annual rate of 0·7 per cent between 1975 and 2008, representing a growth of 553 ha y⁻¹; (iii) wet soil aggregate stability, mechanical resistance to penetration and nitrate (N‐NO₃) concentration in the topsoil layer of Andosols were significantly affected by land use conversion to avocado orchards. Other soil properties such as organic matter, interchangeable K, and available P showed degradation tendencies. These results suggest the importance of implementing strategies for mitigating the accelerated process of transformation and degradation of natural resources in the Cupatitzio River sub‐basin. The implementation of programs for deforestation reduction should be a priority in the restoration strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of horse grazing and feeding on phosphorus concentrations in soil and drainage water

The number of horses in Sweden has increased, from 77 300 in 1970 to 283 000 in 2003 (ca. 250%). These horses are kept on 300 000 ha, which represents 10% of total agricultural land in Sweden. Maximum recommended livestock density in Sweden is 2.5 units/ha for grazed pasture, but no limits have yet been set for outdoor keeping and feeding areas (paddocks) for horses. This study characterized the potential risk of phosphorus (P) losses from a horse paddock established on a heavy clay soil with a stocking rate of 3.75 livestock units/ha compared with nearby arable land. The horse paddock received 15 kg P/ha/yr and 75 kg N/ha/yr through horse excreta, while annual input of P and N to the adjacent arable land was 13 and 112 kg/ha, respectively. There was no significant difference in water‐soluble P (WSP) in fresh and dried soil samples between the horse paddock (mean values: 0.62 and 0.43 mg/100 g soil; n = 15) and the arable field (mean values: 0.52 and 0.37 mg/100 g soil; n = 5). In contrast, phosphorus extractable in ammonium acetate lactate (extractable P) in the topsoil of the horse paddock (mean: 15 mg/100 g soil) was significantly higher (P = 0.03; n = 15) than in the arable land, whereas total P extracted with nitric acid (total P) showed no statistically significant differences. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in lactate‐extractable iron and aluminium (extractable Fe and Al), organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N) or phosphorus sorption index between the two parcels of land. However, the degree of P saturation in soil was significantly higher (P = 0.02; n = 15) in the horse paddock. Extractable Al and Fe were highly correlated to extractable P (P < 0.001; n = 69), the correlation being negative for Al. No relationship was found with calcium, but soil C content was found to be correlated with extractable P (P < 0.001; n = 69). Over the past 8 yr, high P concentrations (up to 1.5 mg/L), mainly in dissolved reactive form, have been recorded in drainage water from the grazed catchment. We concluded that horse grazing at high stocking rates (>2.5 livestock units/ha) may pose a risk of high P losses to nearby water bodies.     

Regional characterization of the long-term change in soil organic carbon under intensive agriculture

Abstract. To study the change in soil organic carbon (SOC) since it was recorded during the Belgian National Soil Survey some 40 years ago, we recently revisited 939 locations still under use as arable land. The study area comprised almost the entire province of West Flanders (about 3000 km²) characterized by profound changes in its arable land management. Taking the increased ploughing depth (by 9.8 cm on average) into account, a significant (P= 0.001) increase of the SOC content by 0.2% on average was found. Expressed as an amount, the SOC in the topsoil rose by 9.3 t/ha on average, representing an increase of 25%. This is comparable with the conversion of arable land into grassland for 2 to 3 decades. Geostatistical tools were used to map the SOC at the two times of observation. These showed that most of the spatial variation occurred within about 4 km. Since the community level is the smallest spatial resolution on which agricultural statistics are gathered officially, a detailed modelling of the change in SOC was impossible. However, by selecting communities with extreme changes in SOC, we found indications that the major source of increase in SOC was due to the large increase in pig breeding.