scholarly journals Assessment of Forest Ecosystem Development in Coal Mine Degraded Land by Using Integrated Mine Soil Quality Index (IMSQI): The Evidence from India

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1310
Author(s):  
Sneha Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Luís A. B. Novo ◽  
Marcin Pietrzykowski ◽  
Subodh Kumar Maiti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Ecosystem Development ◽  
Mine Soil ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Reclaimed Dump

Research highlights: (1) Ecosystem development assessed in an afforested post-mining site. (2) Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stock reached close to the reference forest site after 25 years of afforestation. (3) Integrated mine soil quality index is developed to assess the reclamation success. Background and Objectives: Estimation of the mine soil quality is one of the most important criterions for evaluating the reclamation success and restoration of novel ecosystems of the post-industrial degraded lands. The aim of this long-term experiment was to investigate the influence of revegetation on Technosol (defined as anthropogenic soil resulted from reclamation of mine spoil materials) as the basic ecosystem development. Materials and Methods: A field study was carried out in the chronosequence afforested post-mining sites (5, 10, 25 years) and compared with natural forest site. We assessed the physicochemical properties and nutrient stock of mine soil and estimated general mine soil quality by using an integrated mine soil quality index (IMSQI). The studies were fully randomized in the chronosequence of afforested post-mining sites. Results: Nutrient dynamics and soil properties (physicochemical and biological) were recovered with the increase age of reclamation. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock significantly increased from 9.11 Mg C ha−1 in 5 years to 41.37 Mg C ha−1 after 25 years of afforestation. Likewise, total nitrogen (TN) stock significantly increased from 1.06 Mg N ha−1 in 5 years to 4.45 Mg N ha−1 after 25 years of revegetation. Ecosystem carbon pool enhanced at a rate of 6.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA)-based IMSQ index was employed to assess the reclamation success. The most influential properties controlling the health of reclaimed coal mine soil are fine earth fraction, moisture content, SOC and dehydrogenase activity. IMSQ index values are validated with vegetation characteristics. The estimated IMSQI ranged from 0.455 in 5-year-old (RMS5) to 0.746 in 25-year-old reclaimed dump (RMS25). Conclusions: A 25-year-old reclaimed dump having greater IMSQI (0.746) than reference forest soils (0.695) suggested the aptness of revegetation to retrieve soil quality and function in derelict mine land.

scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Stock of Temperate Coniferous Forests in Northern Kashmir

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-178
Author(s):  
Davood A. Dar ◽  
Bhawana Pathak ◽  
M. H. Fulekar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon Stock ◽  
Organic Carbon Stock

 Soil organic carbon (SOC) estimation in temperate forests of the Himalaya is important to estimate their contribution to regional, national and global carbon stocks. Physico chemical properties of soil were quantified to assess soil organic carbon density (SOC) and SOC CO2 mitigation density at two soil depths (0-10 and 10-20 cms) under temperate forest in the Northern region of Kashmir Himalayas India. The results indicate that conductance, moisture content, organic carbon and organic matter were significantly higher while as pH and bulk density were lower at Gulmarg forest site. SOC % was ranging from 2.31± 0.96 at Gulmarg meadow site to 2.31 ± 0.26 in Gulmarg forest site. SOC stocks in these temperate forests were from 36.39 ±15.40 to 50.09 ± 15.51 Mg C ha-1. The present study reveals that natural vegetation is the main contributor of soil quality as it maintained the soil organic carbon stock. In addition, organic matter is an important indicator of soil quality and environmental parameters such as soil moisture and soil biological activity change soil carbon sequestration potential in temperate forest ecosystems.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i1.12186International Journal of Environment Volume-4, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2014/15; page: 161-178

scholarly journals Environmental soil quality index and indicators for a coal mining soil

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 617-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Masto ◽  
S. Sheik ◽  
G. Nehru ◽  
V. A. Selvi ◽  
J. George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Opencast Mine

Abstract. Assessment of soil quality is one of the key parameters for evaluation of environmental contamination in the mining ecosystem. To investigate the effect of coal mining on soil quality, opencast and underground mining sites were selected in the Raniganj Coafield area, India. The physical, chemical, biological parameters, heavy metals, and PAHs contents of the soils were evaluated. Soil dehydrogenase (+79%) and fluorescein (+32%) activities were significantly higher in underground mine (UGM) soil, whereas peroxidase activity (+57%) was higher in opencast mine (OCM) soil. Content of As, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb was significantly higher in OCM soil, whereas, Cd was higher in UGM. In general, the PAHs contents were higher in UGM soils probably due to the natural coal burning in these sites. The observed values for the above properties were converted into a unit less score (0–1.00) and the scores were integrated into environmental soil quality index (ESQI). In the unscreened index (ESQI-1) all the soil parameters were included and the results showed that the quality of the soil was better for UGM (0.539) than the OCM (0.511) soils. Principal component analysis was employed to derive ESQI-2 and accordingly, total PAHs, loss on ignition, bulk density, Be, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, and microbial quotient (respiration: microbial biomass ratio) were found to be the most critical properties. The ESQI-2 was also higher for soils near UGM (+10.1%). The proposed ESQI may be employed to monitor soil quality changes due to anthropogenic interventions.

scholarly journals The use of multivariate statistical analysis and soil quality indices as tools to be included in regional management plans. A case study from the Mashhad Plain, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
A. Keshavarzi ◽  
A. Bagherzadeh ◽  
E.C. Brevik
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Quality Index

Several methods have been used to model reality and explain soil pedogenesis and evolution. However, there is a lack of information about which soil properties truly condition soil quality indicators and indices particularly at the pedon scale and at different soil depths to be used in land management planning. Thus, the main goals of this research were: i) to assess differences in soil properties (particle size, saturation point, bulk density, soil organic carbon, pH and electrical conductivity) at different soil depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm); ii) to check their statistical correlation with soil quality indicators (CEC, total N, Olsen-P, available K, exchangeable Na, calcium carbonate equivalent, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu); and, iii) to elaborate a soil quality index and maps for each soil layer. To achieve this, forty-eight soil samples were analysed in the laboratory and subjected to statistical analyses by ANOVA, Spearman Rank coefficients and Principal Component Analyses. Finally, a soil quality index was developed based on indicators of sensitivity. The study was conducted in a semiarid catchment in northeast Iran with irrigated farming and well-documented land degradation issues. We found that: i) organic carbon and bulk density were not similar in the topsoil and subsoil; ii) calcium carbonate and sand content conditioned organic carbon content and bulk density; iii) organic carbon showed the highest correlations with soil quality indicators; iv) particle size conditioned cation-exchange capacity; and, v) heavy metals such as Mn and Cu were highly correlated with organic carbon due to non-suitable agricultural practices. Based on the communality analysis to map of soil quality, CEC, Mn, Zn, and Cu had the highest weights (≥0.11) at both depths, coinciding with the same level of relevance in the multivariate analysis. Exchangeable Na, CaCO3, and Fe had the lowest weights (≤0.1) and N, P, and K had intermediate weights (0.1- 0.11). In general, the map of the soil quality index shows a lower soil quality in the subsoil increment than in the topsoil.

scholarly journals Short-Term Effects of Different Straw Returning Methods on the Soil Physicochemical Properties and Quality Index in Dryland Farming in NE China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2631
Author(s):  
Wei Fan ◽  
Jinggui Wu ◽  
Sharaf Ahmed ◽  
Juan Hu ◽  
Xiaodong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Soil Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Ne China ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Straw Return

A field experiment was designed to assess the impacts of various maize straw (stover) returning methods on the basic soil physicochemical properties and soil quality index in Jilin (NE China). The five treatments were no return of straw residues (CK), straw incorporated evenly into the soil using the crashing-ridging technique (EIS), straw mulching (SM), straw plowed into the soil (SP), and straw returned in granulated form (SG). Relative to the no straw return, EIS effectively reduced soil bulk density and penetration resistance, increased soil total organic carbon (TOC), macroaggregate-associated carbon content, and the accumulation of soil humus. Furthermore, EIS improved soil structure and soil aggregate stability and significantly increased the soil quality index. Among the various straw returning treatments, SM and SG significantly promoted soil macroaggregation and increased macroaggregate-associated carbon content by 23.69% and 21.70% at the soil surface, respectively (as compared with the control). Compared to SM, SP, and SG, EIS significantly enhanced the aliphaticity and hydrophobicity of soil organic carbon. These results suggested that EIS was the most efficient straw return mode to increase TOC and improve soil structure and fertility.

Soil quality index applied to Cucurbit production (Chaco, Argentina)

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieta Mariana Rojas ◽  
Silvia Yanina Goytía ◽  
María Florencia Roldán ◽  
Natalia Andrea Mórtola ◽  
Romina Ingrid Romaniuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
The State ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Minimum Dataset ◽  
Physical Degradation

Soil quality (SQ) assessment is an important tool for monitoring the sustainability of production systems. The National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) selected a minimum dataset of indicators (MDS) with the objective of generating a tool for diagnosis and monitoring of soils subject to land use changes. The MDS is composed of: total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, bulk density and the wind erodible fraction. The objective of this work was to use the MDS and the Soil Quality Index (SQI) derived from it to describe the state of the soils intended for Cucurbit production in Chaco. The MDS was sufficiently sensitive to describe the state of the soils. The low and moderate SQ highlighted the need to incorporate soil conservation practices, given the low levels of organic matter and physical degradation. These practices would also contribute to the control of wind erosion, a process that is poorly managed in the area.<strong></strong>

A new approach to elaborate a multifunctional soil quality index

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Barbiroli ◽  
Giovanni Casalicchio ◽  
Andrea Raggi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
New Approach

scholarly journals Land Degradation Vulnerability Mapping in a Newly-Reclaimed Desert Oasis in a Hyper-Arid Agro-Ecosystem Using AHP and Geospatial Techniques

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1426
Author(s):  
Ahmed S. Abuzaid ◽  
Mohamed A. E. AbdelRahman ◽  
Mohamed E. Fadl ◽  
Antonio Scopa
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Western Desert ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Sensing Data

Modelling land degradation vulnerability (LDV) in the newly-reclaimed desert oases is a key factor for sustainable agricultural production. In the present work, a trial for usingremote sensing data, GIS tools, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted for modeling and evaluating LDV. The model was then applied within 144,566 ha in Farafra, an inland hyper-arid Western Desert Oases in Egypt. Data collected from climate conditions, geological maps, remote sensing imageries, field observations, and laboratory analyses were conducted and subjected to AHP to develop six indices. They included geology index (GI), topographic quality index (TQI), physical soil quality index (PSQI), chemical soil quality index (CSQI), wind erosion quality index (WEQI), and vegetation quality index (VQI). Weights derived from the AHP showed that the effective drivers of LDV in the studied area were as follows: CSQI (0.30) > PSQI (0.29) > VQI (0.17) > TQI (0.12) > GI (0.07) > WEQI (0.05). The LDV map indicated that nearly 85% of the total area was prone to moderate degradation risks, 11% was prone to high risks, while less than 1% was prone to low risks. The consistency ratio (CR) for all studied parameters and indices were less than 0.1, demonstrating the high accuracy of the AHP. The results of the cross-validation demonstrated that the performance of ordinary kriging models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian) was suitable and reliable for predicting and mapping soil properties. Integrated use of remote sensing data, GIS, and AHP would provide an effective methodology for predicting LDV in desert oases, by which proper management strategies could be adopted to achieve sustainable food security.

scholarly journals Effects of Management and Hillside Position on Soil Organic Carbon Stratification in Mediterranean Centenary Olive Grove

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 650
Author(s):  
Jesús Aguilera-Huertas ◽  
Beatriz Lozano-García ◽  
Manuel González-Rosado ◽  
Luis Parras-Alcántara
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Olive Grove ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Degradation Degree

The short- and medium—long-term effects of management and hillside position on soil organic carbon (SOC) changes were studied in a centenary Mediterranean rainfed olive grove. One way to measure these changes is to analyze the soil quality, as it assesses soil degradation degree and attempts to identify management practices for sustainable soil use. In this context, the SOC stratification index (SR-COS) is one of the best indicators of soil quality to assess the degradation degree from SOC content without analyzing other soil properties. The SR-SOC was calculated in soil profiles (horizon-by-horizon) to identify the best soil management practices for sustainable use. The following time periods and soil management combinations were tested: (i) in the medium‒long-term (17 years) from conventional tillage (CT) to no-tillage (NT), (ii) in the short-term (2 years) from CT to no-tillage with cover crops (NT-CC), and (iii) the effect in the short-term (from CT to NT-CC) of different topographic positions along a hillside. The results indicate that the SR-SOC increased with depth for all management practices. The SR-SOC ranged from 1.21 to 1.73 in CT0, from 1.48 to 3.01 in CT1, from 1.15 to 2.48 in CT2, from 1.22 to 2.39 in NT-CC and from 0.98 to 4.16 in NT; therefore, the soil quality from the SR-SOC index was not directly linked to the increase or loss of SOC along the soil profile. This demonstrates the time-variability of SR-SOC and that NT improves soil quality in the long-term.

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