Soils and the soil cover as witnesses and indicators of global climate change

Soils and the soil cover are witnesses to global changes on the planet; moreover, they play an active role in these changes. Investigations into the role of soils in global processes come to forefront of modern soil science; it is necessary to find appropriate criteria and indicators making it possible to diagnose global environmental changes and to assess their contribution to soil formation.     

气候与人类活动对丹江口水源区植被覆盖变化的影响

植被覆盖状况直接影响到区域生态环境质量,动态监测区域植被覆盖变化,分析其影响因素,对有效开展生态工程建设、实现生态环境的可持续发展具有重要意义。丹江口水库作为南水北调中线工程核心水源区,其生态环境状况直接影响到水源区的水质和水量,目前此区域植被覆盖动态变化研究存在研究时间较短,人类活动定量评估不足等问题。该研究以丹江口水源地为研究区,以GIMMS NDVI和MODIS NDVI为数据源,运用经验正交遥相关EOT(empirical orthogonal teleconnections)算法对1982—2018年归一化植被指数(normalized difference vegetation index,NDVI)数据进行重构,分析此区域植被覆盖时空变化特征。在此基础上,分析气候和人类活动因素对区域植被覆盖变化的综合贡献情况。结果表明:1982—2018年间NDVI呈现波动上升趋势。空间上,89.93%的像元年均NDVI呈现增加趋势,10.06%的像元年均NDVI呈现减小趋势。气温与NDVI呈现显著正相关,相关系数为0.792 (P0.05),降水量与NDVI呈现显著负相关,相关系数为-0.43 (P0.05),气温对植被的影响大于降水。气候因素对植被的影响呈现明显的空间异质性,在海拔较高的山地区域,植被生长受降水和气温的综合作用影响;而在地势较为低平的盆地和河谷区,NDVI与气温呈现显著的正相关关系,与降水则呈现显著负相关关系。人类活动对区域植被覆盖影响具有双重作用,研究区67.74%区域人类活动对植被覆盖产生正面影响,正向作用表现在为恢复生态环境实施的一系列生态保护与建设工程措施;32.26%区域人类活动对植被覆盖产生负面影响,负向作用表现在为发展社会经济进行的一系列不合理的生产活动。采用残差法分离气候因素和人为因素对区域植被覆盖影响,气候因素对区域植被覆盖变化的综合贡献度为92.14%,人类活动因素的综合贡献度为7.86%,气候因素是影响区域植被覆盖整体变化的主导因素。空间上,在生态措施实施以及中心城市周围等人类活动程度较高的区域,人类活动逐渐成为NDVI变化的关键因素。     

Global analysis of cover management and support practice factors that control soil erosion and conservation

Cover management and support practices largely control the magnitude and variability of soil erosion. Although soil erosion models account for their importance (particularly by C- and P-factors in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation), obtaining spatially explicit quantitative field data on these factors remains challenging. Hence, also our insight into the effects of soil conservation measures at larger spatial scales remains limited. We analyzed the variation in C- and P-factors caused by human activities and climatic variables by reviewing 255 published articles reporting measured or calculated C- and P-factor values. We found a wide variation in both factor values across climatic zones, land use or cover types, and support practices. The average C-factor values decreased from arid (0.26) to humid (0.15) climates, whereas the average P-factor values increased (from 0.33 to 0.47, respectively). Thus, support practices reduce soil loss more effectively in drylands and drought-prone areas. The global average C-factor varies by one order of magnitude from cropland (0.34) to forest (0.03). Among the major crops, the average C-factor was highest for maize (0.42) followed by potato (0.40), among the major orchard crops, it was highest for olive (0.31), followed by vineyards (0.26). The P-factor ranged from 0.62 for contouring in cropland plots to 0.19 for trenches in uncultivated land. The C-factor results indicate that cultivated lands requiring intensive site preparation and weeding are most vulnerable to soil loss by sheet and rill erosion. The low P-factor for trenches, reduced tillage cultivation, and terraces suggests that significantly decreased soil loss is possible by implementing more efficient management practices. These results improve our understanding of the variation in C- and P-factors and support large-scale integrated catchment management interventions by applying soil erosion models where it is difficult to empirically determine the impact of particular land use or cover types and support practices: the datasets compiled in this study can support further modeling and land management attempts in different countries and geographic regions.     

Influence of forest cover and herbaceous vegetation on the microbiological and biochemical properties of soil under Mediterranean humid climate

The effects of different Mediterranean vegetation cover on the biological and biochemical quality of soil is not well understood. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects that different types of vegetation (forestry plots, mainly dominated by Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii) and herbaceous plots, where overstorey density is lower and natural herbaceous percentage is higher than in forestry plots) have in the biological properties of soil in Mediterranean humid climate. The impact of these plant communities on the biological soil quality was determined by several sensitive parameters related to the microbial activity of the soil such as soil respiration and some enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase). Development of vegetation (herbaceous and pines) was also determined and correlated with microbiological and biochemical indicators. Organic matter content in herbaceous sites was significantly higher than in forestry sites, ranging from 5.27 to 6.70 g 100 g^?1 in herbaceous sites to 1.64–2.81 g 100 g^?1 in forested areas. Herbaceous sites showed higher values of basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity than pine areas. However, the decrease of organic carbon content in pine areas led microbial activity enrichment per unit of carbon. These results conclude that vegetation cover significantly impacts soil microbial processes in Mediterranean humid climates, herbaceous vegetation having a more positive influence than forest vegetation on the biochemical and microbial activity of the soil, principally due to the higher accumulation of organic matter from plant remains.     

基于土地利用和覆被变化的黄河三角洲土壤质量预警研究

该文通过1987和2002年黄河三角洲土地利用和覆被变化与土壤肥力变化的对比分析，探讨土地利用和覆被变化对土壤肥力的影响。研究结果表明：土地利用和覆被变化对土壤肥力变化有直接影响，耕地转为林草地、建设用地、盐荒地和沙地，土壤肥力均有下降趋势；林草地转为滩涂的土壤肥力明显下降，转为盐荒地的略有下降；沙地转为耕地的土壤肥力明显提高，转为林草地有下降趋势，转为盐荒地的略有提高或不变；盐荒地转为耕地的土壤肥力有较大的提高，转为林草地的保持不变或稍有下降，转为沙地的稍有提高，转为建设用地的略微下降；滩涂转为盐荒地的土壤肥力保持不变或略微下降，转为林草地的稍有提高。     

遥感分析天山北部植被覆盖对气候变化的多时间尺度响应

为分析植被-气候关系在时间上的多尺度特征,该研究首次以1981-2009年29 a归一化植被指数(normalized difference vegetation index,NDVI)和同期降水、温度数据为基础,采用小波互相关分析研究了中国新疆天山北部额尔齐斯河流域、天山北坡、准噶尔西部山地、博尔塔拉谷地和伊犁河谷区5个分区、29 a植被覆盖变化特征及其对区域降水、温度变化在不同时间尺度和时滞下的响应关系。结果表明:各分区降水和温度变化对NDVI变化存在明显的多时间尺度响应关系和时滞效应。对于降水,除准噶尔西部山地,其他各区域最能反映响应关系的时间尺度为15旬,时滞为5旬(准噶尔西部山地时滞为2旬);对于气温,各区域最能反映响应关系的时间尺度为15旬(准噶尔西部山地时间尺度为10旬),时滞为2旬。各区域NDVI变化与前期温度变化的相关性(0.587)高于与前期降水变化的相关性(0.456)。该研究对于监测植被覆盖变化、研究地气相互作用具有重要意义。     

Evolution of the soil cover of soccer fields

A soccer field can be considered a soil-like technogenic formation (STF). According to the theory of soil cover patterns, the artificially constructed (anthropogenic) soil cover of a soccer field is an analogue of a relatively homogeneous elementary soil area. However, the spatial homogeneity of the upper part (50–80 cm) of the STF of soccer fields is unstable and is subjected to gradual transformation under the impact of pedogenetic processes, agrotechnical loads, and mechanical loads during the games. This transformation is favored by the initial heterogeneity of the deep (buried) parts of the STF profile. The technogenic factors and elementary pedogenetic processes specify the dynamic functioning regime of the STF. In 50–75 years, the upper part of the STF is transformed into soil-like bodies with properties close to those in zonal soils. Certain micro- and nanopatterns of the soil cover are developed within the field creating its spatial heterogeneity.     

The forest cover of Russia and soil conservation

The close interrelationships between forests and soils and their mutual effects and development are considered. Particular emphasis was given to the positive role of forest in the formation of soil, the actual status of the latter, and its resistance to different natural and anthropogenic impacts. The role of forests in soil formation and the maintenance of natural biodiversity are discussed. The influence of the climate on soils has been studied to some extent. Nowadays, the role of soil in the changes of the climate and biodiversity remains a topical problem, the solution of which is important for the management of the environment.     

Temporal and spatial changes of soil erosion under land use and land cover change based on Chinese soil loss equation in the typical watershed on the Loess Plateau

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) directly affect the temporal and spatial change of soil erosion. As a typical governance watershed in the hilly and gully area of the Loess Plateau, the Jiuyuangou watershed has experienced significant LULCC in the past 10 years due to conversion of farmland to forests, economic construction, and cropland abandonment. However, the evolution process of soil erosion change and LULCC in the watershed is unclear, as is the relationship between the two. This study used satellite images to extract information on LULCC in the watershed and the Chinese soil loss equation (CSLE) model to evaluate the temporal and spatial evolution of soil erosion in the watershed from 2010 to 2020. The main results showed that (1) the continuous vegetation restoration project in the watershed reduced soil erosion from 2010 to 2015; however, the increased frequency of extreme rainfall events after 2015 reduced its impact. The annual average soil erosion modulus decreased from 10.85 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2010 to 8.03 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2015 but then increased to 10.57 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2020; (2) the main land use and land cover (LULC) type in the Jiuyuangou watershed is grassland, accounting for 62% of the total area, followed by forestland, cropland, buildings, and water. Cropland has the largest multi-year average soil erosion modulus, followed by grassland and buildings, with forestland having the smallest; (3) significant spatial correlations occurred between soil erosion change and LULCC for common ‘no change’ and common ‘gain’ in the settlements, roads, and areas near the human influences with good soil and water conservation, but not other regions due to the influence of climatic factors (heavy rain events). Thus, we should repair terraces, control dams in the watershed, and actively conserve water and soil. This study provides a scientific reference for planning and managing water and soil conservation and ecological environment construction in the watershed.     

The structure of the soil cover of the stony steppe

Studies on the structure of the soil cover (SSC) on three sites under different environmental conditions showed that the traditional combination of SSC, the characteristics of soil and landforms indicate the structure of the soil at the level of elementary soil areas (ESAs) virtually independently from the features of the area under study. The waterlogging of the black soil is of a pronounced cyclical character; seasonal signs and periodic hydromorphic features are not retained in the SSC such that a conclusion about the transformation of ordinary black soil, for example, in meadow black soils, could be drawn, or the manifestation of this process in a variety of SSCs that differ in ecological features and landscape use of the Kamennaya steppe could be found.     

气候和土壤质地对土壤有机碳影响的区域差异研究

The agricultural soil carbon pool plays an important role in mitigating greenhouse gas emission ana unaerstanamg the son orgamc carbon-climate-soil texture relationship is of great significance for estimating cropland soil carbon pool responses to climate change. Using data from 900 soil profiles, obtained from the Second National Soil Survey of China, we investigated the soil organic carbon （SOC） depth distribution in relation to climate and soil texture under various climate regimes of the cold northeast region （NER） and the warmer Huang-Huai-Hai region （HHHR） of China. The results demonstrated that the SOC content was higher in NER than in HHHR. For both regions, the SOC content at all soil depths had significant negative relationships with mean annual temperature （MAT）, but was related to mean annual precipitation （MAP） just at the surface 0-20 cm. The climate effect on SOC content was more pronounced in NER than in HHHR. Regional differences in the effect of soil texture on SOC content were not found. However, the dominant texture factors were different. The effect of sand content on SOC was more pronounced than that of clay content in NER. Conversely, the effect of clay on SOC was more pronounced than sand in HHHR. Climate and soil texture jointly explained the greatest SOC variability of 49.0% （0-20 cm） and 33.5% （20-30 cm） in NER and HHHR, respectively. Moreover, regional differences occurred in the importance of climate vs. soil texture in explaining SOC variability. In NER, the SOC content of the shallow layers （0-30 cm） was mainly determined by climate factor, specifically MAT, but the SOC content of the deeper soil layers （30-100 cm） was more affected by texture factor, specifically sand content. In HHHR, all the SOC variability in all soil layers was predominantly best explained by clay content. Therefore, when temperature was colder, the climate effect became stronger and this trend was restricted by soil depth. The regional differences and soil depth influence underscored the importance of explicitly considering them in modeling long-term soil responses to climate change and predicting potential soil carbon sequestration.     

不同林草植被覆盖度的水土保持效益及适宜植被覆盖度

以1954--2004年南小河沟流域水文气象观测资料及所布设的林地、草地径流场观测资料为数据源,进行坡面侵蚀强度与径流指标、降水指标、植被覆盖指标之间的定量分析。结果表明：林草植被措施减轻坡面侵蚀的作用明显;防治水土流失的林草植被覆盖度以40％～60％分界明显;从防治水土流失的角度出发,黄土高原沟壑区人工林地和草地建设的有效植被覆盖度应不小于60％和50％。     

Differentiation of the soil cover in the lower Ob River valley

Specific features of the soil cover in the lower reaches of the Ob River are analyzed. The physicochemical properties and composition of the floodplain soils in different parts of the valley and on different floodplain elements are given. A comparative geographical analysis of the accumulation of macro-and microelements in the floodplain soils as a result of alluviation processes in the middle and lower reaches of the Ob River is suggested. The evolution of the floodplain soils and the results of the development of stratified humus horizons, changes in the hydrological regime, and cessation of floods are discussed.     

土壤侵蚀/水土保持与气候变化的耦合关系

通过综述土壤侵蚀对碳循环的影响、全球气候变化对土壤侵蚀的影响以及水土保持植被恢复对碳循环与土壤碳素积累的影响,研究土壤侵蚀/水土保持与气候变化的耦合关系。结果表明:因侵蚀造成的土壤碳素损失是巨大的,但土壤侵蚀是碳源还是碳汇过程依然存在争议,焦点集中于因侵蚀造成土壤团聚体解体,暴露在空气中的土壤有机碳的矿化速率的大小;随着全球气温升高以及降雨格局的变化,全球土壤侵蚀强度和范围都在不断增加,但土壤侵蚀对全球气候变化的响应程度依然值得深入研究;水土保持生态恢复主要通过改变下垫面性质来改变土壤有机碳含量、影响土壤CO2释放并促进土壤碳素积累,对抑制大气CO2浓度升高能产生积极影响。尽管土壤侵蚀/水土保持与气候变化的耦合关系方面的研究已取得重大进展,但仍有待于在土壤侵蚀过程中碳素变化模型、土壤侵蚀过程中氮素迁移转化特征以及侵蚀劣地生态恢复过程中土壤碳素积累机制等方面加强研究。     

全球气候趋暖灾害骤增与农业持续生产力维护

根据1880～1997年全球大气温度的记录,进行了每10年平均气温的计算,可将这近120年来全球气温明显划分为3个时期,即气温偏低期(1880～1919年,至少40年),过渡期(气温变化起伏较小,1920～1979年,约60年)和升温期(1980～1997年).再参照有关小冰期(1450年或1490年开始至1850年或1880年止,约400年)的文献资料[6],可知小冰期气温比1880～1919年时期更低,因此推想气温偏低期持续了约450年,即近450年全球大气温度的变化大体上是一个单向渐变过程.20世纪厄尔尼诺的出现,也可划分为3个明显不同时期:从1900年有记录开始至1940年为厄尔尼诺偶见期,在此时期全球气候尚未变暖;1940～1980年为厄尔尼诺中等发生期,全球气候出现微弱或中等程度的升温;1980～1998年为厄尔尼诺频繁出现期,此时全球气候明显升温,由此表明近100年来厄尔尼诺出现的情况类似上述全球大气升温的单向渐变过程.研究中考虑到海洋的热惯性,提出应关注温室效应和厄尔尼诺叠加效应的新观点,认为今后几十年或更长时间内厄尔尼诺仍将频繁出现,全球气温将保持偏暖状态.与此伴生的是洪涝、干旱、生物灾害等各类自然灾害的加剧频繁出现,对此应高度重视并采取必要措施,做好防灾减灾工作,维护农业持续生产力及其发展.     

Interrill soil erosion as affected by tillage and residue cover

No-till cropping systems are effective in reducing soil erosion. The objective of this study was to determine whether high infiltration rates and low runoff and soil loss under long-term, no-till conditions in loessial regions of the Midwest US result from both the well-structured, porous condition of the soil and the protective cover of crop residue or primarily from residue cover. Soil loss, runoff, and infiltration were measured using a rainfall simulator on interrill erosion plots with and without residue cover on a conventional and two no-till systems in central Illinois. For both conventional till and no-till conditions, removing surface residue significantly decreased infiltration rates and increased soil loss. Tilling the no-till surface while maintaining an equal surface cover as with the no-till system slightly increased interrill erosion. Removing residue on a no-till system, however, increased soil loss significantly. A no-till soil condition without adequate residue cover will seal, crust, and erode with extremely high soil losses following surface drying.