The role of eroding landscapes in organic carbon stabilization operating as C sinks or sources has been frequently discussed, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Our analysis aims to clarify the effects of soil redistribution on physical and biogeochemical soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization mechanisms along a hillslope transect. The observed mineralogical differences se...

At national level, numerous institutions are active in the many fields involving soil information issues, for example: Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, Agency for Environment Protection and Technical Services, university soil science departments, Experimental Institute for Soil Study and Conservation, centres of the National Research Council, as CNR-IRPI). The National Committee for S...

To assess soil and groundwater quality two generic (i.e. multifunctional) risk-based standards, Target and Intervention Value, have been developed, in the framework of the Dutch Soil Protection Act. These standards allow soil and groundwater to be classified as clean, slightly contaminated or seriously contaminated. The Target Value is based on potential risks to ecosystems, while the Intervent...

It is expected that the agricultural intensification occurred in recent decades in the Argentine Rolling Pampa significantly alters the SOM reserves. Therefore, it is necessary to identify soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions to understand the functionality and stabilization of these reserves. Our objectives were to study the NT effect in two crop rotations, corn-double cropped wh...

Many people consider earthworms to be an indicator of soil quality because they respond to and contribute to healthy soil. For earthworms to be abundant, a field must meet several conditions that are also associated with soil quality and agricultural sustainability: moderate pH, surface residue for food and protection, and soil that is not waterlogged, compacted, droughty, or excessively sandy....

This report presents an integrated approach of soil quality and sustainability evaluation.Interactions of the soil and land use systems are summarized from the perspective of theimplication of soil related policies in the European Union. The approach introduced in this reporthas been design in support of the EU Thematic Strategy for soil Protection, aiming soil qualitypreser...

Cover crops are often defined as crops grown for the protection and enrichment of the soil. They are sometimes referred to as green manures or living mulches because if the definition is expanded a bit they are crops grown to suppress weeds, build productive soils and help control pests and diseases. Cover crops can be soil builders, soil looseners, soil water conservers, erosion fighters, nutr...

Geocell protective slope is a kind of important ecological protection form, which is widely used in the geotechnical engineering field. Based on the finite element software ABAQUS, and combining with protective slope body’s mechanics performance in shallow soil, the finite element model of geocell slope protection is established under the conditions of rainfall seepage, and then we simulate the...