Articles | Volume 6, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-453-2020
© Author(s) 2020. 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-6-453-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Targeting the soil quality and soil health concepts when aiming for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Green Deal
Antonello Bonfante
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute for Mediterranean Agricultural and Forestry Systems, National Research Council, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
Angelo Basile
Institute for Mediterranean Agricultural and Forestry Systems, National Research Council, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
Johan Bouma
Soil Science, Wageningen University, 6708 Wageningen, the Netherlands
retired
Related authors
Antonello Bonfante, Fabio Terribile, and Johan Bouma
SOIL, 5, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study is restricted to soil physical aspects of soil quality and health with the objective to define procedures with worldwide rather than only regional applicability, reflecting modern developments in soil physical research and focusing on important questions regarding possible effects of soil degradation and climate change.
F. Terribile, A. Agrillo, A. Bonfante, G. Buscemi, M. Colandrea, A. D'Antonio, R. De Mascellis, C. De Michele, G. Langella, P. Manna, L. Marotta, F. A. Mileti, L. Minieri, N. Orefice, S. Valentini, S. Vingiani, and A. Basile
Solid Earth, 6, 903–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-903-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-903-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Here we aim to demonstrate that a dpatial decision support system based on geospatial cyberinfrastructure (GCI) can profitably address many contrasting demands on our landscape concerning agriculture and environment as well as many land degradation problems.
In this paper, we discuss methods and results of a special kind of GCI architecture, highly focused on soil and land conservation, developed in the framework of the SOILCONSWEB LIFE+ project.
A. Bonfante, A. Agrillo, R. Albrizio, A. Basile, R. Buonomo, R. De Mascellis, A. Gambuti, P. Giorio, G. Guida, G. Langella, P. Manna, L. Minieri, L. Moio, T. Siani, and F. Terribile
SOIL, 1, 427–441, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-427-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-427-2015, 2015
Short summary
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This paper aims to test a new physically oriented approach to viticulture zoning at the farm scale which is strongly rooted in hydropedology and aims to achieve a better use of environmental features with respect to plant requirement and wine production. The physics of our approach are defined by the use of soil-plant-atmosphere simulation models which apply physically based equations to describe the soil hydrological processes and solve soil-plant water status.
Johan Bouma
SOIL, 8, 751–759, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-751-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-751-2022, 2022
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In the new
Soil Deal for Europe, land users, mostly farmers, and scientists are required to work jointly in
living labsto develop sustainable land use systems. We propose that threshold values for different ecosystem services in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU Green Deal (GD) have to be met to define
lighthousesthat demonstrate successful sustainable land use systems, functioning as inspiring examples. A case study illustrates the important role of soils.
Giovanna Dragonetti, Mohammad Farzamian, Angelo Basile, Fernando Monteiro Santos, and Antonio Coppola
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5119–5136, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5119-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5119-2022, 2022
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Soil hydraulic and hydrodispersive properties are necessary for modeling water and solute fluxes in agricultural and environmental systems. Despite the major efforts in developing methods (e.g., lab-based, pedotransfer functions), their characterization at applicative scales remains an imperative requirement. Thus, this paper proposes a noninvasive in situ method integrating electromagnetic induction and hydrological modeling to estimate soil hydraulic and transport properties at the plot scale.
Mohammad Farzamian, Dario Autovino, Angelo Basile, Roberto De Mascellis, Giovanna Dragonetti, Fernando Monteiro Santos, Andrew Binley, and Antonio Coppola
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 1509–1527, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1509-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-1509-2021, 2021
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Soil salinity is a serious threat in numerous arid and semi-arid areas of the world. Given this threat, efficient field assessment methods are needed to monitor the dynamics of soil salinity in salt-affected lands efficiently. We demonstrate that rapid and non-invasive geophysical measurements modelled by advanced numerical analysis of the signals and coupled with hydrological modelling can provide valuable information to assess the spatio-temporal variability in soil salinity over large areas.
Antonello Bonfante, Fabio Terribile, and Johan Bouma
SOIL, 5, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study is restricted to soil physical aspects of soil quality and health with the objective to define procedures with worldwide rather than only regional applicability, reflecting modern developments in soil physical research and focusing on important questions regarding possible effects of soil degradation and climate change.
Fabio Terribile, Michela Iamarino, Giuliano Langella, Piero Manna, Florindo Antonio Mileti, Simona Vingiani, and Angelo Basile
Solid Earth, 9, 63–74, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-63-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-9-63-2018, 2018
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Andic soils have unique morphological, physical and chemical properties that induce both considerable soil fertility and great vulnerability to land degradation. Here we attempt to show that soils rich in poorly crystalline clay minerals have an utmost ecological importance.
Our results are hoped to be a starting point for better understanding the ecological importance of andic soils and also possibly to better consider pedological information in carbon balance calculations.
Johan Bouma
SOIL, 3, 153–159, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-3-153-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-3-153-2017, 2017
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Alexander von Humboldt was an inspiring scientist in the early 1800s, traveling widely, making many measurements, and linking different scientific disciplines while keeping an eye open to the needs of society. This is particularly relevant today in our information society, and researchers in developing countries are advised to follow the von Humboldt example when planning their future research.
Johan Bouma and Luca Montanarella
SOIL, 2, 135–145, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-135-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-135-2016, 2016
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The recently accepted UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a major challenge to the research community, including soil science. SDGs require a interdisciplinary research approach that forces every discipline to critically evaluate its core messages. Effective communication with the policy arena requires use of common policy concepts such as policy phases and distinction of drivers, pressures, and responses to change. To accomodate such needs, research practices will have to change.
Saskia D. Keesstra, Johan Bouma, Jakob Wallinga, Pablo Tittonell, Pete Smith, Artemi Cerdà, Luca Montanarella, John N. Quinton, Yakov Pachepsky, Wim H. van der Putten, Richard D. Bardgett, Simon Moolenaar, Gerben Mol, Boris Jansen, and Louise O. Fresco
SOIL, 2, 111–128, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-111-2016, 2016
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Soil science, as a land-related discipline, has links to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals which are demonstrated through the functions of soils and related ecosystem services. We discuss how soil scientists can rise to the challenge both internally and externally in terms of our relations with colleagues in other disciplines, diverse groups of stakeholders and the policy arena. To meet these goals we recommend the set of steps to be taken by the soil science community as a whole.
F. Terribile, A. Agrillo, A. Bonfante, G. Buscemi, M. Colandrea, A. D'Antonio, R. De Mascellis, C. De Michele, G. Langella, P. Manna, L. Marotta, F. A. Mileti, L. Minieri, N. Orefice, S. Valentini, S. Vingiani, and A. Basile
Solid Earth, 6, 903–928, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-903-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-903-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Here we aim to demonstrate that a dpatial decision support system based on geospatial cyberinfrastructure (GCI) can profitably address many contrasting demands on our landscape concerning agriculture and environment as well as many land degradation problems.
In this paper, we discuss methods and results of a special kind of GCI architecture, highly focused on soil and land conservation, developed in the framework of the SOILCONSWEB LIFE+ project.
S. Vingiani, G. Mele, R. De Mascellis, F. Terribile, and A. Basile
Solid Earth, 6, 783–797, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-783-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-6-783-2015, 2015
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An integrated soil study was carried out on landslides which have occurred on the steep northern slopes of Mt. Vezzi on the island of Ischia (Italy). The studied soils showed a substantial abrupt discontinuity in all the studied properties along a buried fine ash layer (namely, the 2C horizon). Nevertheless, only the identification of a layer of thin, finely stratified ash on the top of 2C, by optical microscopy, enabled us to assume this interface to be an impeding layer for water fluxes.
A. Bonfante, A. Agrillo, R. Albrizio, A. Basile, R. Buonomo, R. De Mascellis, A. Gambuti, P. Giorio, G. Guida, G. Langella, P. Manna, L. Minieri, L. Moio, T. Siani, and F. Terribile
SOIL, 1, 427–441, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-427-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-427-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This paper aims to test a new physically oriented approach to viticulture zoning at the farm scale which is strongly rooted in hydropedology and aims to achieve a better use of environmental features with respect to plant requirement and wine production. The physics of our approach are defined by the use of soil-plant-atmosphere simulation models which apply physically based equations to describe the soil hydrological processes and solve soil-plant water status.
Related subject area
Soils and food security
Soil: the great connector of our lives now and beyond COVID-19
Soil fertility along toposequences of the East India Plateau and implications for productivity, fertiliser use, and sustainability
Global meta-analysis of the relationship between soil organic matter and crop yields
Refining physical aspects of soil quality and soil health when exploring the effects of soil degradation and climate change on biomass production: an Italian case study
Organic wastes from bioenergy and ecological sanitation as a soil fertility improver: a field experiment in a tropical Andosol
Rosa M. Poch, Lucia H. C. dos Anjos, Rafla Attia, Megan Balks, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Martha M. Bolaños-Benavides, Costanza Calzolari, Lydia M. Chabala, Peter C. de Ruiter, Samuel Francke-Campaña, Fernando García Préchac, Ellen R. Graber, Siosiua Halavatau, Kutaiba M. Hassan, Edmond Hien, Ke Jin, Mohammad Khan, Maria Konyushkova, David A. Lobb, Matshwene E. Moshia, Jun Murase, Generose Nziguheba, Ashok K. Patra, Gary Pierzynski, Natalia Rodríguez Eugenio, and Ronald Vargas Rojas
SOIL, 6, 541–547, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-541-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-541-2020, 2020
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Humanity depends on the existence of healthy soils, both for the production of food and for ensuring a healthy, biodiverse environment. In the face of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, a sustainable soil management strategy is essential to ensure food security based on more diverse, locally oriented, and resilient food production systems through improving access to land, sound land use planning, sustainable soil management, enhanced research, and investment in education and extension.
Peter S. Cornish, Ashok Kumar, and Sudipta Das
SOIL, 6, 325–336, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-325-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-325-2020, 2020
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We evaluated soil fertility in seven watersheds on the East India Plateau, finding that soils are acid and infertile, with low chemical fertiliser use, and organic nutrient recycling is insufficient to maintain soil fertility. This leads to inefficient rainfall use and low yields. Fertiliser rates need to increase greatly, notably in P and K. This will challenge risk-averse subsistence farmers. Field-specific fertiliser regimes are needed despite consistent fertility trends along toposequences.
Emily E. Oldfield, Mark A. Bradford, and Stephen A. Wood
SOIL, 5, 15–32, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-15-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-15-2019, 2019
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In this paper, we quantify the global-level relationship between soil organic matter and crop yield. We find that greater concentrations of soil organic matter are associated with greater yields and that increases in yields saturate around 2 % SOC. Using the relationship that we generate, we then provide an estimate of the potential for soil organic matter management to reduce global yield gaps for two of the most important staple crops (maize and wheat) grown worldwide.
Antonello Bonfante, Fabio Terribile, and Johan Bouma
SOIL, 5, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-5-1-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study is restricted to soil physical aspects of soil quality and health with the objective to define procedures with worldwide rather than only regional applicability, reflecting modern developments in soil physical research and focusing on important questions regarding possible effects of soil degradation and climate change.
Ariane Krause, Thomas Nehls, Eckhard George, and Martin Kaupenjohann
SOIL, 2, 147–162, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-147-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2-147-2016, 2016
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In a field experiment in Tanzania, we used substrates from local projects as soil amenders for intercropping relevant local crops, aiming to advance the practical application of known principles for smallholder agriculture in SSA, i.e. biochar and biogas application and EcoSan practices. We studied the short-term effects on crop productivity, plant nutrition and soil properties. By mitigating P scarcity and acidification, yields were increased by up to 400 % compared to the control.
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Short summary
Soil health is an important term in the international policy arena when considering soil contributions to sustainable development. We propose a measurement method, lacking so far, and explore differences within the term soil quality. The latter describes the inherent properties of soils, while soil health focuses on actual health. The procedure is illustrated for three Italian soil types, also showing the effects of climate change, demonstrating that each soil is significantly different.
Soil health is an important term in the international policy arena when considering soil...