Articles | Volume 5, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-91-2019
© Author(s) 2019. 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-5-91-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
On-farm study reveals positive relationship between gas transport capacity and organic carbon content in arable soil
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Uppsala, 11824, Sweden
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
Florian Walder
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
Lucie Büchi
Department of Plant Production Systems, Agroscope, Nyon, 1260,
Switzerland
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham
Maritime, ME4 4TB, UK
Marlies Sommer
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
Kexing Liu
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural
University, Guangzhou, 510640, China
Johan Six
Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092,
Switzerland
Marcel G. A. van der Heijden
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies,
University of Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
Plant-Microbe Interactions, Faculty of Science, Institute of
Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, 3584, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Raphaël Charles
Department of Plant Production Systems, Agroscope, Nyon, 1260,
Switzerland
Department of Extension, Training and Communication, Research
Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), 1001, Lausanne, Switzerland
Thomas Keller
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural
Sciences, Uppsala, 11824, Sweden
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, 8046,
Switzerland
Related authors
Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi
SOIL, 11, 363–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-363-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-363-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Plant physiology has been addressed by less than 10 % of peer-reviewed soil organic carbon research published in the last century. Thus, our understanding of soil carbon dynamics is overwhelmingly built on research that neglects the fundamental processes underlying organic carbon inputs. Active engagement of plant scientists in soil carbon research is imperative for shedding light on this blind spot and developing holistic policies that support soil carbon sequestration.
Hanna Sjulgård, Lukas Valentin Graf, Tino Colombi, Juliane Hirte, Thomas Keller, and Helge Aasen
Biogeosciences, 22, 1341–1354, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1341-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1341-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study showed that stress-related crop response to changing environmental conditions can be detected by monitoring crops using satellite images at the landscape level. This could be useful for farmers to identify when stresses occur. Our results also suggest that satellite imagery can be used to discover soil impacts on crop development at farm fields. The inclusion of soil properties in satellite image analyses could further improve the accuracy of the prediction of drought stress on crops.
Laura Summerauer, Fernando Bamba, Bendicto Akoraebirungi, Ahurra Wobusobozi, Marijn Bauters, Travis William Drake, Negar Haghipour, Clovis Kabaseke, Daniel Muhindo Iragi, Landry Cizungu Ntaboba, Leonardo Ramirez-Lopez, Johan Six, Daniel Wasner, and Sebastian Doetterl
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4625, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4625, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
Short summary
Short summary
Deforestation for croplands on tropical hillslopes causes severe soil degradation and loss of fertile topsoil. We found that this leads to a steep decline in soil fertility, including organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This makes the land unproductive, often leading farmers to abandon it. Replanting with Eucalyptus trees doesn't restore fertility. This degradation leads to cropland lifespans of only 100–170 years and poses a serious threat to future food production.
Antoine de Clippele, Astrid C. H. Jaeger, Simon Baumgartner, Marijn Bauters, Pascal Boeckx, Clement Botefa, Glenn Bush, Jessica Carilli, Travis W. Drake, Christian Ekamba, Gode Lompoko, Nivens Bey Mukwiele, Kristof Van Oost, Roland A. Werner, Joseph Zambo, Johan Six, and Matti Barthel
Biogeosciences, 22, 3011–3027, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3011-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3011-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropical forest soils as a large terrestrial source of carbon dioxide (CO2) contribute to the global greenhouse gas budget. Despite this, carbon flux data from forested wetlands are scarce in tropical Africa. The study presents 3 years of semi-continuous measurements of surface CO2 fluxes within the Congo Basin. Although no seasonal patterns were evident, our results show a positive effect of soil temperature and moisture, while a quadratic relationship was observed with the water table.
Claude Raoul Müller, Johan Six, Daniel Mugendi Njiru, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Marijn Van de Broek
Biogeosciences, 22, 2733–2747, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2733-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2733-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied how different organic and inorganic nutrient inputs affect soil organic carbon (SOC) down to 70 cm in Kenya. After 19 years, all organic treatments increased SOC stocks compared with the control, but mineral nitrogen had no significant effect. Manure was the organic treatment that significantly increased SOC at the deepest soil depths, as its effect could be observed down to 60 cm. Manure was the best strategy to limit SOC loss in croplands and maintain soil quality after deforestation.
Marijn Van de Broek, Fiona Stewart-Smith, Moritz Laub, Marc Corbeels, Monicah Wanjiku Mucheru-Muna, Daniel Mugendi, Wycliffe Waswa, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Johan Six
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2287, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2287, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for SOIL (SOIL).
Short summary
Short summary
To improve soil health and increase crop yields, organic matter is commenly added to arable soils. Studying the effect of different organic amenmends on soil organic carbon sequestration in four long-term field trials in Kenya, we found that only a small portion (< 7 %) of added carbon was stabilised. Moreover, this was only observed in the top 15 cm of the soil. These results underline the challenges associated with increasing the organic carbon content of tropical arable soils.
Sajjad Raza, Hannah V. Cooper, Nicholas T. Girkin, Matthew S. Kent, Malcolm J. Bennett, Sacha J. Mooney, and Tino Colombi
SOIL, 11, 363–369, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-363-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-363-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Plant physiology has been addressed by less than 10 % of peer-reviewed soil organic carbon research published in the last century. Thus, our understanding of soil carbon dynamics is overwhelmingly built on research that neglects the fundamental processes underlying organic carbon inputs. Active engagement of plant scientists in soil carbon research is imperative for shedding light on this blind spot and developing holistic policies that support soil carbon sequestration.
Roxanne Daelman, Marijn Bauters, Matti Barthel, Emmanuel Bulonza, Lodewijk Lefevre, José Mbifo, Johan Six, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Benjamin Wolf, Ralf Kiese, and Pascal Boeckx
Biogeosciences, 22, 1529–1542, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1529-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1529-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The increase in atmospheric concentrations of several greenhouse gases (GHGs) since 1750 is attributed to human activity. However, natural ecosystems, such as tropical forests, also contribute to GHG budgets. The Congo Basin hosts the second largest tropical forest and is understudied. In this study, measurements of soil GHG exchange were carried out during 16 months in a tropical forest in the Congo Basin. Overall, the soil acted as a major source of CO2 and N2O and a minor sink of CH4.
Marijn Van de Broek, Gerard Govers, Marion Schrumpf, and Johan Six
Biogeosciences, 22, 1427–1446, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1427-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1427-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Soil organic carbon models are used to predict how soils affect the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. We show that equifinality – the phenomenon that different parameter values lead to correct overall model outputs, albeit with a different model behaviour – is an important source of model uncertainty. Our results imply that adding more complexity to soil organic carbon models is unlikely to lead to better predictions as long as more data to constrain model parameters are not available.
Hanna Sjulgård, Lukas Valentin Graf, Tino Colombi, Juliane Hirte, Thomas Keller, and Helge Aasen
Biogeosciences, 22, 1341–1354, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1341-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1341-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study showed that stress-related crop response to changing environmental conditions can be detected by monitoring crops using satellite images at the landscape level. This could be useful for farmers to identify when stresses occur. Our results also suggest that satellite imagery can be used to discover soil impacts on crop development at farm fields. The inclusion of soil properties in satellite image analyses could further improve the accuracy of the prediction of drought stress on crops.
Mosisa Tujuba Wakjira, Nadav Peleg, Johan Six, and Peter Molnar
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 863–886, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-863-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-863-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we implement a climate, water, and crop interaction model to evaluate current conditions and project future changes in rainwater availability and its yield potential, with the goal of informing adaptation policies and strategies in Ethiopia. Although climate change is likely to increase rainfall in Ethiopia, our findings suggest that water-scarce croplands in Ethiopia are expected to face reduced crop yields during the main growing season due to increases in temperature.
Vira Leng, Rémi Cardinael, Florent Tivet, Vang Seng, Phearum Mark, Pascal Lienhard, Titouan Filloux, Johan Six, Lyda Hok, Stéphane Boulakia, Clever Briedis, João Carlos de Moraes Sá, and Laurent Thuriès
SOIL, 10, 699–725, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-699-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-699-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We assessed the long-term impacts of no-till cropping systems on soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics down to 1 m depth under the annual upland crop productions (cassava, maize, and soybean) in the tropical climate of Cambodia. We showed that no-till systems combined with rotations and cover crops could store large amounts of carbon in the top and subsoil in both the mineral organic matter and particulate organic matter fractions. We also question nitrogen management in these systems.
Moritz Laub, Magdalena Necpalova, Marijn Van de Broek, Marc Corbeels, Samuel Mathu Ndungu, Monicah Wanjiku Mucheru-Muna, Daniel Mugendi, Rebecca Yegon, Wycliffe Waswa, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Johan Six
Biogeosciences, 21, 3691–3716, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3691-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-3691-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We used the DayCent model to assess the potential impact of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) on maize production, soil fertility, and greenhouse gas emission in Kenya. After adjustments, DayCent represented measured mean yields and soil carbon stock changes well and N2O emissions acceptably. Our results showed that soil fertility losses could be reduced but not completely eliminated with ISFM and that, while N2O emissions increased with ISFM, emissions per kilogram yield decreased.
Claude Raoul Müller, Johan Six, Liesa Brosens, Philipp Baumann, Jean Paolo Gomes Minella, Gerard Govers, and Marijn Van de Broek
SOIL, 10, 349–365, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-349-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-349-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Subsoils in the tropics are not as extensively studied as those in temperate regions. In this study, the conversion of forest to agriculture in a subtropical region affected the concentration of stabilized organic carbon (OC) down to 90 cm depth, while no significant differences between 90 cm and 300 cm were detected. Our results suggest that subsoils below 90 cm are unlikely to accumulate additional stabilized OC through reforestation over decadal periods due to declining OC input with depth.
Johan Six, Sebastian Doetterl, Moritz Laub, Claude R. Müller, and Marijn Van de Broek
SOIL, 10, 275–279, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-275-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-275-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Soil C saturation has been tested in several recent studies and led to a debate about its existence. We argue that, to test C saturation, one should pay attention to six fundamental principles: the right measures, the right units, the right dispersive energy and application, the right soil type, the right clay type, and the right saturation level. Once we take care of those six rights across studies, we find support for a maximum of C stabilized by minerals and thus soil C saturation.
Armwell Shumba, Regis Chikowo, Christian Thierfelder, Marc Corbeels, Johan Six, and Rémi Cardinael
SOIL, 10, 151–165, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-151-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-151-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Conservation agriculture (CA), combining reduced or no tillage, permanent soil cover, and improved rotations, is often promoted as a climate-smart practice. However, our knowledge of the impact of CA on top- and subsoil soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the low-input cropping systems of sub-Saharan Africa is rather limited. Using two long-term experimental sites with different soil types, we found that mulch could increase top SOC stocks, but no tillage alone had a slightly negative impact.
Moritz Laub, Sergey Blagodatsky, Marijn Van de Broek, Samuel Schlichenmaier, Benjapon Kunlanit, Johan Six, Patma Vityakon, and Georg Cadisch
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 931–956, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-931-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-931-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To manage soil organic matter (SOM) sustainably, we need a better understanding of the role that soil microbes play in aggregate protection. Here, we propose the SAMM model, which connects soil aggregate formation to microbial growth. We tested it against data from a tropical long-term experiment and show that SAMM effectively represents the microbial growth, SOM, and aggregate dynamics and that it can be used to explore the importance of aggregate formation in SOM stabilization.
Gina Garland, John Koestel, Alice Johannes, Olivier Heller, Sebastian Doetterl, Dani Or, and Thomas Keller
SOIL, 10, 23–31, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The concept of soil aggregates is hotly debated, leading to confusion about their function or relevancy to soil processes. We propose that the use of conceptual figures showing detached and isolated aggregates can be misleading and has contributed to this skepticism. Here, we conceptually illustrate how aggregates can form and dissipate within the context of undisturbed soils, highlighting the fact that aggregates do not necessarily need to have distinct physical boundaries.
Moritz Laub, Marc Corbeels, Antoine Couëdel, Samuel Mathu Ndungu, Monicah Wanjiku Mucheru-Muna, Daniel Mugendi, Magdalena Necpalova, Wycliffe Waswa, Marijn Van de Broek, Bernard Vanlauwe, and Johan Six
SOIL, 9, 301–323, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-301-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-301-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In sub-Saharan Africa, long-term low-input maize cropping threatens soil fertility. We studied how different quality organic inputs combined with mineral N fertilizer could counteract this. Farmyard manure was the best input to counteract soil carbon loss; mineral N fertilizer had no effect on carbon. Yet, the rates needed to offset soil carbon losses are unrealistic for farmers (>10 t of dry matter per hectare and year). Additional agronomic measures may be needed.
Kristof Van Oost and Johan Six
Biogeosciences, 20, 635–646, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-635-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-635-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The direction and magnitude of the net erosion-induced land–atmosphere C exchange have been the topic of a big scientific debate for more than a decade now. Many have assumed that erosion leads to a loss of soil carbon to the atmosphere, whereas others have shown that erosion ultimately leads to a carbon sink. Here, we show that the soil carbon erosion source–sink paradox is reconciled when the broad range of temporal and spatial scales at which the underlying processes operate are considered.
Charlotte Decock, Juhwan Lee, Matti Barthel, Elizabeth Verhoeven, Franz Conen, and Johan Six
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-221, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2022-221, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
One of the least well understood processes in the nitrogen (N) cycle is the loss of nitrogen gas (N2), referred to as total denitrification. This is mainly due to the difficulty of quantifying total denitrification in situ. In this study, we developed and tested a novel modeling approach to estimate total denitrification over the depth profile, based on concentrations and isotope values of N2O. Our method will help close N budgets and identify management strategies that reduce N pollution.
Tegawende Léa Jeanne Ilboudo, Lucien NGuessan Diby, Delwendé Innocent Kiba, Tor Gunnar Vågen, Leigh Ann Winowiecki, Hassan Bismarck Nacro, Johan Six, and Emmanuel Frossard
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-209, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-209, 2022
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Our results showed that at landscape level SOC stock variability was mainly explained by clay content. We found significant linear positive relationships between VC and SOC stocks for the land uses annual croplands, perennial croplands, grasslands and bushlands without soil depth restrictions until 110 cm. We concluded that in the forest-savanna transition zone, soil properties and topography determine land use, which in turn affects the stocks of SOC and TN and to some extent the VC stocks.
Qing Sun, Valentin H. Klaus, Raphaël Wittwer, Yujie Liu, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden, Anna K. Gilgen, and Nina Buchmann
Biogeosciences, 19, 1853–1869, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1853-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1853-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Drought is one of the biggest challenges for future food production globally. During a simulated drought, pea and barley mainly relied on water from shallow soil depths, independent of different cropping systems.
Philipp Baumann, Juhwan Lee, Emmanuel Frossard, Laurie Paule Schönholzer, Lucien Diby, Valérie Kouamé Hgaza, Delwende Innocent Kiba, Andrew Sila, Keith Sheperd, and Johan Six
SOIL, 7, 717–731, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-717-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-717-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This work delivers openly accessible and validated calibrations for diagnosing 26 soil properties based on mid-infrared spectroscopy. These were developed for four regions in Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire, including 80 fields of smallholder farmers. The models can help to site-specifically and cost-efficiently monitor soil quality and fertility constraints to ameliorate soils and yields of yam or other staple crops in the four regions between the humid forest and the northern Guinean savanna.
Laura Summerauer, Philipp Baumann, Leonardo Ramirez-Lopez, Matti Barthel, Marijn Bauters, Benjamin Bukombe, Mario Reichenbach, Pascal Boeckx, Elizabeth Kearsley, Kristof Van Oost, Bernard Vanlauwe, Dieudonné Chiragaga, Aimé Bisimwa Heri-Kazi, Pieter Moonen, Andrew Sila, Keith Shepherd, Basile Bazirake Mujinya, Eric Van Ranst, Geert Baert, Sebastian Doetterl, and Johan Six
SOIL, 7, 693–715, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-693-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-693-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present a soil mid-infrared library with over 1800 samples from central Africa in order to facilitate soil analyses of this highly understudied yet critical area. Together with an existing continental library, we demonstrate a regional analysis and geographical extrapolation to predict total carbon and nitrogen. Our results show accurate predictions and highlight the value that the data contribute to existing libraries. Our library is openly available for public use and for expansion.
Sebastian Doetterl, Rodrigue K. Asifiwe, Geert Baert, Fernando Bamba, Marijn Bauters, Pascal Boeckx, Benjamin Bukombe, Georg Cadisch, Matthew Cooper, Landry N. Cizungu, Alison Hoyt, Clovis Kabaseke, Karsten Kalbitz, Laurent Kidinda, Annina Maier, Moritz Mainka, Julia Mayrock, Daniel Muhindo, Basile B. Mujinya, Serge M. Mukotanyi, Leon Nabahungu, Mario Reichenbach, Boris Rewald, Johan Six, Anna Stegmann, Laura Summerauer, Robin Unseld, Bernard Vanlauwe, Kristof Van Oost, Kris Verheyen, Cordula Vogel, Florian Wilken, and Peter Fiener
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4133–4153, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4133-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4133-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The African Tropics are hotspots of modern-day land use change and are of great relevance for the global carbon cycle. Here, we present data collected as part of the DFG-funded project TropSOC along topographic, land use, and geochemical gradients in the eastern Congo Basin and the Albertine Rift. Our database contains spatial and temporal data on soil, vegetation, environmental properties, and land management collected from 136 pristine tropical forest and cropland plots between 2017 and 2020.
Philipp Baumann, Anatol Helfenstein, Andreas Gubler, Armin Keller, Reto Giulio Meuli, Daniel Wächter, Juhwan Lee, Raphael Viscarra Rossel, and Johan Six
SOIL, 7, 525–546, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-525-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-525-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We developed the Swiss mid-infrared spectral library and a statistical model collection across 4374 soil samples with reference measurements of 16 properties. Our library incorporates soil from 1094 grid locations and 71 long-term monitoring sites. This work confirms once again that nationwide spectral libraries with diverse soils can reliably feed information to a fast chemical diagnosis. Our data-driven reduction of the library has the potential to accurately monitor carbon at the plot scale.
Mario Reichenbach, Peter Fiener, Gina Garland, Marco Griepentrog, Johan Six, and Sebastian Doetterl
SOIL, 7, 453–475, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-453-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-453-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils of Africa, we found that patterns of soil organic carbon stocks differ between soils developed from geochemically contrasting parent material due to differences in the abundance of organo-mineral complexes, the presence/absence of chemical stabilization mechanisms of carbon with minerals and the presence of fossil organic carbon from sedimentary rocks. Physical stabilization mechanisms by aggregation provide additional protection of soil carbon.
Sophie F. von Fromm, Alison M. Hoyt, Markus Lange, Gifty E. Acquah, Ermias Aynekulu, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Stephan M. Haefele, Steve P. McGrath, Keith D. Shepherd, Andrew M. Sila, Johan Six, Erick K. Towett, Susan E. Trumbore, Tor-G. Vågen, Elvis Weullow, Leigh A. Winowiecki, and Sebastian Doetterl
SOIL, 7, 305–332, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-305-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-305-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated various soil and climate properties that influence soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa. Our findings indicate that climate and geochemistry are equally important for explaining SOC variations. The key SOC-controlling factors are broadly similar to those for temperate regions, despite differences in soil development history between the two regions.
Anatol Helfenstein, Philipp Baumann, Raphael Viscarra Rossel, Andreas Gubler, Stefan Oechslin, and Johan Six
SOIL, 7, 193–215, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-193-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-193-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we show that a soil spectral library (SSL) can be used to predict soil carbon at new and very different locations. The importance of this finding is that it requires less time-consuming lab work than calibrating a new model for every local application, while still remaining similar to or more accurate than local models. Furthermore, we show that this method even works for predicting (drained) peat soils, using a SSL with mostly mineral soils containing much less soil carbon.
Simon Baumgartner, Marijn Bauters, Matti Barthel, Travis W. Drake, Landry C. Ntaboba, Basile M. Bazirake, Johan Six, Pascal Boeckx, and Kristof Van Oost
SOIL, 7, 83–94, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-83-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-83-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We compared stable isotope signatures of soil profiles in different forest ecosystems within the Congo Basin to assess ecosystem-level differences in N cycling, and we examined the local effect of topography on the isotopic signature of soil N. Soil δ15N profiles indicated that the N cycling in in the montane forest is more closed, whereas the lowland forest and Miombo woodland experienced a more open N cycle. Topography only alters soil δ15N values in forests with high erosional forces.
Simon Baumgartner, Matti Barthel, Travis William Drake, Marijn Bauters, Isaac Ahanamungu Makelele, John Kalume Mugula, Laura Summerauer, Nora Gallarotti, Landry Cizungu Ntaboba, Kristof Van Oost, Pascal Boeckx, Sebastian Doetterl, Roland Anton Werner, and Johan Six
Biogeosciences, 17, 6207–6218, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6207-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6207-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Soil respiration is an important carbon flux and key process determining the net ecosystem production of terrestrial ecosystems. The Congo Basin lacks studies quantifying carbon fluxes. We measured soil CO2 fluxes from different forest types in the Congo Basin and were able to show that, even though soil CO2 fluxes are similarly high in lowland and montane forests, the drivers were different: soil moisture in montane forests and C availability in the lowland forests.
Cited articles
Albizua, A., Williams, A., Hedlund, K., and Pascual, U.: Crop rotations
including ley and manure can promote ecosystem services in conventional
farming systems, Appl. Soil Ecol., 95, 54–61,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.06.003, 2015.
Anderson, J. P. E. and Domsch, K. H.: A physiological method for the
quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soil, Soil Biol. Biochem.,
10, 215–221, https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(78)90099-8, 1978.
Azooz, R. H., Arshad, M A., and Franzluebbers, A. J.: Pore Size Distribution
and Hydraulic Conductivity Affected by Tillage in Northwestern Canada, Soil
Sci. Soc. Am. J., 60, 1197–1201,
https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1996.03615995006000040034x, 1996.
Balesdent, J. and Balabane, M.: Major contribution of roots to soil carbon
storage inferred from maize cultivated soils, Soil Biol. Biochem., 28,
1261–1263, https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(96)00112-5, 1996.
Balesdent, J., Chenu, C., and Balabane, M.: Relationship of soil organic
matter dynamics to physical protection and tillage, Soil Till. Res., 53,
215–230, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00107-5, 2000.
Bengough, A. G., McKenzie, B. M., Hallett, P. D., and Valentine, T. A.: Root
elongation, water stress, and mechanical impedance: a review of limiting
stresses and beneficial root tip traits, J. Exp. Bot., 62, 59–68,
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq350, 2011.
Birkhofer, K., Bezemer, T. M., Bloem, J., Bonkowski, M., Christensen, S.,
Dubois, D., Ekelund, F., Fließbach, A., Gunst, L., Hedlund, K.,
Mäder, P., Mikola, J., Robin, C., Setälä, H., Tatin-Froux, F.,
Van der Putten, W. H., and Scheu, S.: Long-term organic farming fosters below
and aboveground biota: Implications for soil quality, biological control and
productivity, Soil Biol. Biochem., 40, 2297–2308,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.05.007, 2008.
Bockstaller, C., Girardin, P., and Van der Werf, H. M. G.: Use of
agro-ecological indicators for the evaluation of farming systems, Eur. J.
Agron., 7, 261–270, 1997.
Bronick, C. J. and Lal, R.: Soil structure and management: a review,
Geoderma, 124, 3–22, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2004.03.005, 2005.
Büchi, L., Georges, F., Walder, F., Banerjee, S., Keller, T., Six, J.,
van der Heijden, M., and Charles, R.: Potential of indicators to unveil the
hidden side of cropping system classification: actual differences and
similarities in cropping practices between conventional, no-till and organic
systems, Eur. J. Agron., in review, 2019.
Bünemann, E. K., Bongiorno, G., Creamer, R., Deyn, G. B. De,
Bünemann, E. K., Bongiorno, G., Bai, Z., Creamer, R. E., Deyn, G. De,
Goede, R. De, Fleskens, L., Geissen, V., Kuyper, T. W., and Mäder, P.:
Soil quality - A critical review, Soil Biol. Biochem., 120, 105–125,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2018.01.030, 2018.
Busscher, W. J.: Adjustment of Flat-Tipped Penetrometer Resistance Data To a
Common Water Content, Trans. ASAE, 33, 519–524, https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.31360,
1990.
Buyanovsky, G. A. and Wagner, G. H.: Annual Cycles of Carbon Dioxide Level in
Soil Air, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 47, 1139–1145,
https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700060016x, 1983.
Cannell, R. Q., Belford, R. K., Gales, K., Thomson, R. J., and Webster, C.
P.: Effects of waterlogging and drought on winter wheat and winter barley
grown on a clay and a sandy loam soil, Plant Soil, 80, 53–66,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02232939, 1984.
Carter, M. R., Sanderson, J. B., Holmstrom, D. A., Ivany, J. A., and DeHaan,
K. R.: Influence of conservation tillage and glyphosate on soil structure and
organic carbon fractions through the cycle of a 3-year potato rotation in
Atlantic Canada, Soil Till. Res., 93, 206–221,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2006.04.004, 2007.
Celik, I.: Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil
in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey, Soil Till. Res., 83,
270–277, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.08.001, 2005.
Chan, K. Y., Heenan, D. P., and So, H. B.: Sequestration of carbon and
changes in soil quality under conservation tillage on light-textured soils in
Australia: a review, Aust. J. Exp. Agr., 43, 325–334, https://doi.org/10.1071/EA02077,
2003.
Chen, G., Weil, R. R., and Hill, R. L.: Effects of compaction and cover crops
on soil least limiting water range and air permeability, Soil Till. Res.,
136, 61–69, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2013.09.004, 2014.
Colombi, T., Braun, S., Keller, T., and Walter, A.: Artificial macropores
attract crop roots and enhance plant productivity on compacted soils, Sci.
Total Environ., 574, 1283–1293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.194, 2017.
Colombi, T., Torres, L. C., Walter, A., and Keller, T.: Feedbacks between
soil penetration resistance, root architecture and water uptake limit water
accessibility and crop growth – A vicious circle, Sci. Total Environ., 626,
1026–1035, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.129, 2018.
Cotrufo, M. F., Wallenstein, M. D., Boot, C. M., Denef, K., and Paul, E.: The
Microbial Efficiency-Matrix Stabilization (MEMS) framework integrates plant
litter decomposition with soil organic matter stabilization?: do labile plant
inputs form stable soil organic matter?, Glob. Change Biol., 19, 988–995,
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12113, 2013.
Cotrufo, M. F., Soong, J. L., Horton, A. J., Campbell, E. E., Haddix, M. L.,
Wall, D. H., and Parton, W. J.: Formation of soil organic matter via
biochemical and physical pathways of litter mass loss, Nat. Geosci., 8,
8–13, https://doi.org/10.1038/NGEO2520, 2015.
CSICM: Directive suisse 2010 de la branche sur la qualité du compost et
du digestat. Commission suisse de l'inspectorat du compostage et Comm.
suisse l'inspectorat du Compost. la méthanisation, 40 pp., 2010.
CTACF: Mise en oeuvre de la technique du Bois Raméal Fragmenté (BRF)
en agriculture wallonne, Cent. des Technol. Agron. Communauté
Française, 168 pp.,
2006.
Dal Ferro, N., Sartori, L., Simonetti, G., Berti, A., and Morari, F.: Soil
macro- and microstructure as affected by different tillage systems and their
effects on maize root growth, Soil Till. Res., 140, 55–65,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.02.003, 2014.
da Silva, A. P., Babujia, L. C., Franchini, J. C., Ralisch, R., Hungria, M.,
and Guimarães, M. de F.: Soil structure and its influence on microbial
biomass in different soil and crop management systems, Soil Till. Res., 142,
42–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.04.006, 2014.
Dexter, A. R.: Amelioration of soil by natural processes, Soil Till. Res.,
20, 87–100, 1991.
Diacono, M. and Montemurro, F.: Long-term effects of organic amendments on
soil fertility. A review, Agron. Sustain. Dev., 30, 401–422,
https://doi.org/10.1051/agro/2009040, 2010.
Dresbøll, D. B., Thorup-Kristensen, K., McKenzie, B. M., Dupuy, L. X., and
Bengough, A. G.: Timelapse scanning reveals spatial variation in tomato
(Solanum lycopersicum L.) root elongation rates during partial
waterlogging, Plant Soil, 369, 467–477, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1592-5, 2013.
Eavis, B. W.: Soil physical conditions affecting seedling root growth, Plant
Soil, 139, 66–89, 1972.
Garnczarska, M. and Bednarski, W.: Effect of a short-term hypoxic treatment
followed by re-aeration on free radicals level and antioxidative enzymes in
lupine roots, Plant Physiol. Biochem., 42, 233–240,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2004.01.005, 2004.
Gattinger, A., Muller, A., Haeni, M., Skinner, C., Fliessbach, A., Buchmann,
N., Mader, P., Stolze, M., Smith, P., Scialabba, N. E.-H., and Niggli, U.:
Enhanced top soil carbon stocks under organic farming, P. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 109, 18226–18231, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1209429109, 2012.
Govaerts, B., Verhulst, N., Castellanos-Navarrete, A., Sayre, K. D., Dixon,
J., and Dendooven, L.: Conservation agriculture and soil carbon
sequestration: Between myth and farmer reality, CRC, Crit. Rev. Plant Sci.,
28, 97–122, https://doi.org/10.1080/07352680902776358, 2009.
Grable, A. R. and Siemer, E. G.: Effects of Bulk Density, Aggregate Size, and
Soil Water Suction on Oxygen Diffusion, Redox Potentials, and Elongation of
Corn Roots1, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 32, 180–186, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1968.03615995003200020011x, 1968.
Grzesiak, M. T., Ostrowska, A., Hura, K., Rut, G., Janowiak, F., Rzepka, A.,
Hura, T., and Grzesiak, S.: Interspecific differences in root architecture
among maize and triticale genotypes grown under drought, waterlogging and
soil compaction, Acta Physiol. Plant., 36, 3249–3261,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1691-9, 2014.
Heinemeyer, O., Insam, H., Kaiser, E. A., and Walenzik, G.: Soil microbial
biomass and respiration measurements: An automated technique based on
infra-red gas analysis, Plant Soil, 116, 191–195, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214547,
1989.
Horn, R. and Smucker, A.: Structure formation and its consequences for gas
and water transport in unsaturated arable and forest soils, Soil Till. Res.,
82, 5–14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2005.01.002, 2005.
Jin, K., Shen, J., Ashton, R. W., Dodd, I. C., Parry, M. A. J., and Whalley, W.
R.: How do roots elongate in a structured soil?, J. Exp. Bot., 64, 4761–77,
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert286, 2013.
Kahlon, M. S., Lal, R., and Ann-Varughese, M.: Twenty two years of tillage
and mulching impacts on soil physical characteristics and carbon
sequestration in Central Ohio, Soil Till. Res., 126, 151–158,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2012.08.001, 2013.
Kaiser, E. A., Mueller, T., Joergensen, R. G., Insam, H., and Heinemeyer, O.:
Evaluation of methods to estimate the soil microbial biomass and the
relationship with soil texture and organic matter, Soil Biol. Biochem., 24,
675–683, https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(92)90046-Z, 1992.
Kätterer, T., Bolinder, M. A., Andrén, O., Kirchmann, H., and
Menichetti, L.: Roots contribute more to refractory soil organic matter than
above-ground crop residues, as revealed by a long-term field experiment, Agr.
Ecosyst. Environ., 141, 184–192, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.02.029, 2011.
Keiluweit, M., Nico, P. S., Kleber, M., and Fendorf, S.: Are oxygen
limitations under recognized regulators of organic carbon turnover in upland
soils?, Biogeochemistry, 127, 157–171, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-015-0180-6, 2016.
Keiluweit, M., Wanzek, T., Kleber, M., Nico, P., and Fendorf, S.: Anaerobic
microsites have an unaccounted role in soil carbon stabilization, Nat.
Commun., 8, 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01406-6, 2017.
Kong, A. Y. Y. and Six, J.: Tracing Root vs. Residue Carbon into Soils from
Conventional and Alternative Cropping Systems, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 74,
1201, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2009.0346, 2010.
Koop-Jakobsen, K., Mueller, P., Meier, R. J., Liebsch, G., and Jensen, K.:
Plant-Sediment Interactions in Salt Marshes – An Optode Imaging Study of
O2, pH, and CO2 Gradients in the Rhizosphere, Front. Plant
Sci., 9, 1–11,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00541, 2018.
Lal, R.: Soil Carbon Sequestration Impacts on Global Climate Change and Food
Security, Science, 304, 1623–7162, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1097396, 2004.
Lavallee, J. M., Conant, R. T., Paul, E. A., and Cotrufo, R. T.:
Incorporation of shoot versus root-derived 13C and 15N
into mineral-associated organic matter fractions?: results of a soil slurry
incubation with dual-labelled plant material, Biogeochemistry, 137, 379–393,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-018-0428-z, 2018.
Leifeld, J., Reiser, R., and Oberholzer, H. R.: Consequences of conventional
versus organic farming on soil carbon: Results from a 27-year field
experiment, Agron. J., 101, 1204–1218, https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2009.0002, 2009.
Lesturgez, G., Poss, R., Hartmann, C., Bourdon, E., Noble, A., and
Development, L.: Roots of Stylosanthes hamata create macropores in the
compact layer of a sandy soil, Plant Soil, 260, 101–109, 2004.
Mäder, P., Fliessbach, A., Dubois, D., Gunst, L., Fried, P., and Niggli,
U.: Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming, Science, 296,
1694–1697, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1071148, 2002.
Manzoni, S., Schimel, J. P., and Porporato, A.: Responses of soil microbial
communities to water stress?: results from a meta-analysis, Ecology, 93,
930–938, https://doi.org/10.1890/11-0026.1, 2012.
Martínez, I., Chervet, A., Weisskopf, P., Sturny, W. G., Etana, A.,
Stettler, M., Forkman, J., and Keller, T.: Two decades of no-till in the
Oberacker long-term fi eld experiment?: Part I. Crop yield, soil organic
carbon and nutrient distribution in the soil profile, Soil Till. Res., 163,
141–151, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.05.021, 2016a.
Martínez, I., Chervet, A., Weisskopf, P., Sturny, W. G., Rek, J., and
Keller, T.: Two decades of no-till in the Oberacker long-term field
experiment: Part II. Soil porosity and gas transport parameters, Soil Till.
Res., 163, 130–140, 2016b.
Mendiburu, F. D.: agricolae: Statistical Procedures for Agricultural
Research, R Package Version 1.2-3, 2015.
Pinheiro, J., Bates, D., DebRoy, S., and Sarkar, J.: nlme: Linear and
Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models (Software), 2013.
Pires, L. F., Borges, J. A. R., Rosa, J. A., Cooper, M., Heck, R. J.,
Passoni, S., and Roque, W. L.: Soil structure changes induced by tillage
systems, Soil Till. Res., 165, 66–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2016.07.010, 2017.
Porterfield, D. M. and Musgrave, M. E.: The tropic response of plant roots to
oxygen: Oxytropism in Pisum sativum L., Planta, 206, 1–6,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s004250050367, 1998.
Powlson, D. S., Stirling, C. M., Jat, M. L., Gerard, B. G., Palm, C. A.,
Sanchez, P. A., and Cassman, K. G.: Limited potential of no-till agriculture
for climate change mitigation, Nat. Clim. Change, 4, 678–683,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2292, 2014.
Qi, J., Marshall, J. D., and Mattson, K. G.: High soil carbon dioxide
concentrations inhibit root respiration of Douglas fir, New Phytol., 128,
435–442, 1994.
R Core Team: R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing,
available at: http://www.r-project.org (last access: 31 August 2018), 2017.
Rasmussen, C., Heckman, K., Wieder, W. R., Keiluweit, M., Lawrence, C. R.,
Berhe, A. A., Blankinship, J. C., Crow, S. E., Druhan, J. L., Hicks Pries, C.
E., Marin-Spiotta, E., Plante, A. F., Schädel, C., Schimel, J. P.,
Sierra, C. A., Thompson, A., and Wagai, R.: Beyond clay: towards an improved
set of variables for predicting soil organic matter content, Biogeochemistry,
137, 297–306, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-018-0424-3, 2018.
Rasool, R., Kukal, S. S., and Hira, G. S.: Soil organic carbon and physical
properties as affected by long-term application of FYM and inorganic
fertilizers in maize-wheat system, Soil Till. Res., 96, 64–72,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2008.05.015, 2007.
Rasse, D. P., Rumpel, C., and Dignac, M.-F.: Is soil carbon mostly root
carbon? Mechanisms for a specific stabilisation, Plant Soil, 269, 341–356,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-0907-y, 2005.
Reynolds, W. D., Drury, C. F., Yang, X. M., and Tan, C. S.: Optimal soil
physical quality inferred through structural regression and parameter
interactions, Geoderma, 146, 466–474, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.06.017,
2008.
Rich, S. M. and Watt, M.: Soil conditions and cereal root system
architecture: review and considerations for linking Darwin and Weaver, J.
Exp. Bot., 64, 1193–208, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert043, 2013.
Schjonning, P. and Rasmussen, K. J.: Soil strength and soil pore
characteristics for direct drilled and ploughed soils, Soil Till. Res., 57,
69–82, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(00)00149-5, 2000.
Sinaj, S. and Richner, W.: Principes de fertilisation des cultures agricoles
en Suisse (PRIF 2017), Rech. Agron. Suisse, 8, 1–45, 2017.
Smith, P., Martino, D., Cai, Z., Gwary, D., Janzen, H., Kumar, P., McCarl,
B., Ogle, S., O'Mara, F., Rice, C., Scholes, B., Sirotenko, O., Howden, M.,
McAllister, T., Pan, G., Romanenkov, V., Schneider, U., Towprayoon, S.,
Wattenbach, M., and Smith, J.: Greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture,
Philos. T. R. Soc. B, 363, 789–813, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2007.2184, 2008.
Soane, B. D.: The role of organic matter in soil compactibility: A review of
some practical aspects, Soil Till. Res., 16, 179–201,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-1987(90)90029-D, 1990.
Soil Survey Staff: Soil Survey Laboratory Information Manual, in: Soil Survey
Investigations Report No. 45, Version 2.0, edited by: Burt, R., United States
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lincoln,
Nebraska, 2011.
Stewart, C. E., Follett, R. F., Pruessner, E. G., Varvel, G. E., Vogel, K.
P., and Mitchell, R. B.: Nitrogen and harvest effects on soil properties
under rainfed switchgrass and no-till corn over 9 years: Implications for
soil quality, GCB Bioenergy, 7, 288–301, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12142, 2014.
Swiss Federal Council: Verordnung über die Direktzahlungen an die
Landwirtschaft (Direktzahlungsverordnung, DZV), 1–107, 2014.
Swiss Federal Research Stations: Referenzmethoden der Eidgenössischen
landwirtschaftlichen Forschungsanstalten: 2. Bodenuntersuchung zur
Standortcharakterisierung., edited by Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon,
Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART, Zurich, 1996.
Thomson, C. J., Colmer, T. D., Watkin, E. L. J., and Greenway, H.: Tolerance
of wheat (Triticum aestivum cvs. Gamenya and Kite) and triticale
(Triticosecale cv Muir) to waterlogging, New Phytol., 120, 335–344, 1992.
Valentine, T. A., Hallett, P. D., Binnie, K., Young, M. W., Squire, G. R.,
Hawes, C., and Bengough, G. A.: Soil strength and macropore volume limit root
elongation rates in many UK agricultural soils, Ann. Bot., 110, 259–270,
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcs118, 2012.
Watkin, E. L., Thomson, C. J., and Greenway, H.: Root Development and
Aerenchyma Formation in Two Wheat Cultivars and One Triticale Cultivar Grown
in Stagnant Agar and Aerated Nutrient Solution, Ann. Bot., 81, 349–354,
1998.
Weisskopf, P., Reiser, R., Rek, J., and Oberholzer, H. R.: Effect of
different compaction impacts and varying subsequent management practices on
soil structure, air regime and microbiological parameters, Soil Till. Res.,
111, 65–74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2010.08.007, 2010.
Young, I. M., Blanchart, E., Chenu, C., Dangerfield, M., Fragosos, C.,
Grimaldi, M., Ingram, J., and Monrozier, L. J.: The interaction of soil biota
and soil structure under global change, Glob. Change Biol., 4, 703–712,
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2486.1998.00194.x, 1998.
Zomer, R. J., Bossio, D. A., Sommer, R., and Verchot, L. V.: Global
Sequestration Potential of Increased Organic Carbon in Cropland Soils, Sci.
Rep., 7, 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15794-8, 2017.
Short summary
The role of soil aeration in carbon sequestration in arable soils has only been explored little, especially at the farm level. The current study, which was conducted on 30 fields that belong to individual farms, reveals a positive relationship between soil gas transport capability and soil organic carbon content. We therefore conclude that soil aeration needs to be accounted for when developing strategies for carbon sequestration in arable soil.
The role of soil aeration in carbon sequestration in arable soils has only been explored little,...