Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-37-2018
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-4-37-2018
Original research article
 | 
05 Feb 2018
Original research article |  | 05 Feb 2018

How serious a problem is subsoil compaction in the Netherlands? A survey based on probability sampling

Dick J. Brus and Jan J. H. van den Akker

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Cited articles

Alakukku, L.: Response of annual crops to subsoil compaction in a field experiment on clay soil lasting 17 years, Adv. Geoecol., 32, 205–208, 2000. a
Alblas, J., Wanink, F., Van den Akker, J., and Van der Werf, H. M. G.: Impact of traffic-induced compaction of sandy soils on the yield of silage maize in the Netherlands, Soil Till. Res., 29, 157–165, https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-1987(94)90052-3, 1994. a
Berisso, F. E., Schjønning, P., Keller, T., Lamande, M., Etana, A., de Jonge, L. W., Iversen, B. V., Arvidsson, J., and Forkman, J.: Persistent effects of subsoil compaction on pore size distribution and gas transport in a loamy soil, Soil Till. Res., 122, 42–51, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2012.02.005, 2012. a
Berisso, F. E., Schjønning, P., Keller, T., Lamande, M., Simojoki, A., Iversen, B. V., Alakukku, L., and Forkman, J.: Gas transport and subsoil pore characteristics: Anisotropy and long-term effects of compaction, Geoderma, 195, 184–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.12.002, 2013. a
Brus, D. J. and de Gruijter, J. J.: Random sampling or geostatistical modelling? Choosing between design-based and model-based sampling strategies for soil (with Discussion), Geoderma, 80, 1–59, 1997. a
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Short summary
Subsoil compaction is an important soil threat. It is caused by heavy machines used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to estimate how large the area with overcompacted subsoils is in the Netherlands. This was done by selecting locations randomly and determining the porosity and bulk density of the soil at these locations. It appeared that 43 % of the soils in the Netherlands is overcompacted, and so we conclude that subsoil compaction is indeed a serious problem in the Netherlands.
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