Articles | Volume 12, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-1101-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-1101-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
05 Nov 2026
Original research article |
| 05 Nov 2026
| 05 Nov 2026
Effects of moss restoration on topsoil water dynamics in a temperate vineyard
Silvana Oldenburg
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Soil Science and Geomorphology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Rümelinstr. 19–23, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
Martin Nebel
Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Steffen Seitz
Soil Science and Geomorphology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Rümelinstr. 19–23, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
Physical Geography, Institute of Geography, Osnabrück University, Seminarstr. 19, 49074 Osnabrück, Germany
Corinna Gall
Soil Science and Geomorphology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Rümelinstr. 19–23, 72070 Tübingen, Germany
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We tested five tools that simulate rainfall to study how water affects soil. Because these tools differ in size and performance, we measured how evenly they spray and how strong the falling drops are. We found that each tool produces distinct rain patterns, but all can support soil studies when properly checked. Our work helps researchers choose practical and reliable equipment, especially when working in remote locations.
Corinna Gall, Silvana Oldenburg, Martin Nebel, Thomas Scholten, and Steffen Seitz
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Soil erosion is a major issue in vineyards due to often steep slopes and fallow interlines. While cover crops are typically used for erosion control, moss restoration has not yet been explored. In this study, moss restoration reduced surface runoff by 71.4 % and sediment discharge by 75.8 % compared with bare soil, similar to cover crops. Mosses could serve as ground cover where mowing is impractical, potentially reducing herbicide use in viticulture, although further research is needed.
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Even under forests, soil is eroded by rainfall. This is particularly true when human impact damages vegetation layers. We found that the erosion risk can be greatly increased by structural drip points at branches forming large drops under the tree canopy in the foliated and non-foliated seasons. Our measurements with sand-filled splash cups in Japanese beech forests showed drop energies up to 50 times greater than under freefall precipitation, indicating locally severe sediment detachment.
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Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) stabilize the soil surface mainly in arid regions but are also present in Mediterranean and humid climates. We studied this stabilizing effect through wet and dry sieving along a large climatic gradient in Chile and found that the stabilization of soil aggregates persists in all climates, but their role is masked and reserved for a limited number of size fractions under humid conditions by higher vegetation and organic matter contents in the topsoil.
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Soil erosion is one of the most serious environmental challenges of our time, which also applies to forests when forest soil is disturbed. Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) can play a key role as erosion control. In this study, we combined soil erosion measurements with vegetation surveys in disturbed forest areas. We found that soil erosion was reduced primarily by pioneer bryophyte-dominated biocrusts and that bryophytes contributed more to soil erosion mitigation than vascular plants.
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Short summary
Climate change is putting pressure on the water management of vineyards. We tested in a temperate vineyard in Germany, whether moss could serve as a ground cover underneath the vines, as an alternative to bare soil or grass. Over 22 months, we measured how quickly and how much the soil became wet after rainfall. Moss kept soil moisture similar to bare soil, without the slower water entry seen under grass. This suggests moss could offer a low-maintenance option for future vineyard management.
Climate change is putting pressure on the water management of vineyards. We tested in a...
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