Beryllium (Be), a lightweight metal with significant industrial applications, poses notable environmental and health risks due to its toxicity and persistence, and widespread use, particularly in the mechanical, aerospace, and electronics sectors. It is commonly alloyed with other heavy metals to enhance material properties. The primary environmental pathways for Be release include emissions from coal

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi acquire photosynthetically fixed carbon (C) from host plants and transport some of it to hyphosphere bacteria via an extensive extraradical hyphal network. The hyphosphere microbiome, fostered by hyphal exudates, is crucial for AM fungi to access soil organic phosphorus (Po) and enhance plant growth, but the impact of plant-AM fungal combinations is still not well-elucidated

Background and aims Herbivore dung varies among species in terms of nutrients and microbial composition, but the effect of the microbial activity in the dung on plant growth and symbiotic association is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of cow dung quantity and dung microbial activity on plant-microbe interactions (mycorrhiza, nodulation) and the growth of Trifolium pratense

Background and Aims EL Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events exert significant effects on ecosystem carbon (C) cycle. However, how forest Rs in the East Asian monsoon region can respond to ENSO events remains unclear. Methods Based on multi-source databases, we conducted a synthesis to analyze the differential responses of forest Rs in different climatic zones of East Asia to ENSO events. The response

Estimation and knowledge of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils and herbaceous plants are vital for ecotoxicological reasons. This study explored PTE accumulation in the aerial organ (leaf) of herbaceous plants in PTE‐contaminated soils in a linear transect of three localities close to the Litavka River in Pribram, Czech Republic. Leaf accumulation answers questions on PTE hyperaccumulation

Many fundamental characteristics of soil viruses remain underexplored, including the effects of high temperatures on viruses and their hosts, as would be encountered under disturbances like wildland fire, prescribed burning, and soil solarization. In this study, we leveraged three data types (DNase-treated viromes, non-DNase-treated viromes, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) to measure the responses

Human activities are swiftly reshaping ecosystems, and the simultaneous rise of urbanization and plant invasions has become a significant challenge that jeopardizes both global biodiversity and ecosystem function. Deadwood is an important provider of biodiversity and carbon storage, yet it remains unknown how urbanization and plant invasion affect wood-inhabiting taxa and decomposition rates, separately

Aims Biocrusts, communities dominated by mosses, lichens, cyanobacteria, algae, and fungi living on the soil surface, constitute a vital biotic component of dryland ecosystems that play critical roles in maintaining their structure and functioning. However, there are substantial knowledge gaps regarding the global distribution of biocrusts, which has primarily been estimated using statistical methods

Background and aims Selenium (Se) deficiency in soil and human diets may worsen with elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2). However, current research focused on essential nutrient elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the effects of eCO2 on Se accumulation in staple crops are understudied. Here, the Se-hyperaccumulator Cardamine hupingshanensis was selected to investigate the impacts

Background and aims In grapevines and other deep-rooting plants, heterogeneous drying from the surface to deeper soil layers drives water extraction by roots. Modelling and measurements have shown that dry soils, especially with sandy texture, create abrupt water potential gradient in the rhizosphere. At the scale of the thin contact between the soil and roots, the hydraulic continuity could be lost

Aims Infections with soil-borne pathogens have considerable detrimental effects on asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) growth and production, notably caused by the Fusarium species F. oxysporum f.sp. asparagi, F. proliferatum, and F. redolens. To get insight into the systemic effects of fungal infection on plant physiology to identify candidate resistance traits, we investigated this interaction using

Aims and scope Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form soil hyphal networks that facilitate plant nutrient uptake. AM fungi can be less effective plant-mutualists in cultivated fields because agricultural stressors reduce their functional diversity and may favour a less mutualistic genotype. Previously, we showed restoration of retired cultivated fields stimulated AM fungal species diversity. Here,

Background and aims Characterizing the responses of soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions to agricultural management practices is essential for understanding SOC stability in agroecosystems. To establish a rational soil management regime for wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) production, this study investigated the long-term effects of cover cropping with manure on the storage of SOC and its fractions in

Background and aims Plant invasion can alter litter decomposition, which is essential for nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore how plant invasion affects litter decomposition by altering soil properties, litter quality and their interactions. Methods We conducted a reciprocal decomposition experiment by decomposing

Purpose Accelerated grassland degradation due to global climate change and intensified human activities necessitates green and sustainable ecological restoration measures. Microbial and organic fertilizer composites have shown positive effects in agricultural soil improvement. However, the effects on soil nutrient cycling and plant growth of microbial inoculants alone or in combination with organic

Aims Plant inputs are the primary organic carbon source that transforms into soil organic matter (SOM) through microbial processing. One prevailing view is that lignin plays a major role in the accumulation of SOM. This study investigated lignin decomposition using wood from different genotypes of Populus tremula as the model substrate. The genotypes naturally varied in lignin content and composition

Abstract. Around half of the Earth's soil organic carbon (SOC) is presently stored in the Northern Hemisphere permafrost region. In polar permafrost regions, low temperatures particularly inhibit both the production and biodegradation of organic matter. Under such conditions, abiotic factors such as mesoclimate, pedogenic substrate or altitude are thought to be more important for soil development than

Generally, with increasing elevation, there is a corresponding decrease in annual mean air and soil temperatures, resulting in an overall decrease in ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the variations in CO2 exchange along elevation gradients in tundra ecosystems. Aiming to quantify CO2 exchange along elevation gradients in tundra ecosystems, we measured

Quantitative analysis and prediction of gully head erosion hold paramount importance for terrain evolution studies and risk mitigation effort. However, previous findings could not reconcile high temporal resolution with long time series coverage, particularly at the watershed scale. In this study, a calculation method for the active gully head erosion rate (AGHER) was proposed on the basis of interferometric

Although artificial vegetation restoration measures decelerate soil erosion, the impacts on soil microbial communities and soil fertility remain unclear. This impedes our ability to assess the true effects of artificial vegetation restoration measures on degraded soil ecosystems. To address this issue, we used vegetation restoration plots in severely eroded areas in China as research objects and applied

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming important tools for modern management and scientific research of grassland resources, especially in the dynamic monitoring of above‐ground biomass (AGB). However, current studies rely mostly on vertical images to construct models, with little consideration given to oblique images. Determination of image acquisition height often relies on experience and intuition

Erosion of the A horizon of Mollisols is expected to change the dissolved organic matter (DOM) chemodiversity in the underlying B horizon. Three simulated erosion treatments, which had an A horizon of 30, 20, and 10 cm depth, were established for 9 years under a corn-soybean rotation on Mollisols. Compared to the A horizon that was 30 cm deep, the 20 cm treatment had 24–63% more dissolved lignin-like

Background and aims Drought and heavy metals (HMs) stress significantly impact maize (Zea mays L.), which is crucial for global food security. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and melatonin (MT) in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought and HMs’ stress on the growth and development of maize. Methods Maize plants were exposed to lead (Pb)

Over the last decade, the fact that novel perspectives on various aspects of soils have remained strongly controversial long after they emerged, without any kind of consensus being reached about them, raises question about the underlying reasons for this phenomenon. The on‐going debate on the usefulness of aggregates to describe the functions of soils illustrates some of the key aspects of that question

Acid sulfate soils are found globally and have significant environmental impact as a source for metals and acidity to surrounding streams that can cause, for example, large‐scale fish kills. In the face of changing climate and its effect on groundwater fluctuations, the environmental risk associated with these soils needs to be thoroughly investigated. This study examined the water‐soluble concentrations

Understanding the mechanisms that control soil organic carbon (SOC) persistence is central to soil management and climate change mitigation. In the present study, we utilised a chronosequence of Vertisols which have undergone land use change from native vegetation to cropping for up to 82 y in subtropical Australia. We examined whether the marked changes in SOC concentrations were associated with changes

Background and aims Urban trees in coastal cities like Hong Kong may suffer from an uprooting failure when subjected to extreme winds. A proper numerical model for tree uprooting simulation can help to select tree species or soil types that better resist uprooting failure. However, modeling tree uprooting is challenging as it is a cross-disciplinary problem involving complex root system architectures

Purpose The relationship between root tensile strengths and diameters is often fitted using power law curves. More accurate fitting methodologies were developed, investigating a) the validity of least-squares regression assumptions underlying existing methods, b) how to best quantify intra-diameter variation, and c) whether to fit in terms of tensile strength or tensile force at failure. Methods Regression

Proper tillage combined with straw management is crucial for maintaining agroecosystem sustainability and crop yield, especially under intensified agricultural activities. However, the optimal depth for tillage in combination with straw incorporation remains unclear. To address this, we established a field experiment in 2011 in Mollisols with five treatments: conventional tillage (CT, tillage depth

Combatting desertification through vegetation restoration holds significant potential for soil carbon sequestration. However, understanding the effects of different restoration types on soil organic carbon component and the role of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) remains limited. This study assessed soils from four distinct vegetation types, namely grassland desert (GD), desert steppe (DS), typical

The structure of soil pores plays a crucial role in determining the distribution and retention of particulate organic matter (POM) within soil aggregates, yet the specific effects of different straw return practices on POM stabilization through soil pore structure remain poorly understood. This study aimed to quantify and visualize soil macroaggregates POM distribution and pore structure using advanced

Soil sodicity, salinity, clay dispersion, and clay soil cracking are significant issues for modern agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) has traditionally been used to estimate potential changes in infiltration rates or hydraulic conductivity when sodium cations dominate irrigation water quality. Recent research indicates that the cation ratio

Microbial communities within biocrusts fulfill important ecological functions, particularly in dryland environments. Identifying the optimal conditions for transporting and storing biocrusts is essential to preserve and accurately analyze their microbial communities. However, the effectiveness of these preservation methods remains poorly understood. In this study, we collected dry biocrusts at different

This study investigates the stratigraphy and carbon storage of the Verlorener Bach and Loosbach valley fills, of the Alpine Foothills in Bavaria, using a combination of electromagnetic induction (EMI), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), direct push electrical conductivity sensing (DP-EC) and drilling cores. We identified three distinct stratigraphic units, with Unit I consisting of gravel deposits

The soil sorptivity, S, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks, are fundamental soil hydraulic properties that can be estimated from the cumulative infiltration curve measured with a disc infiltrometer. The Haverkamp infiltration model is widely used to estimate S and Ks. This model includes as inputs the constants β and γ and the difference between the initial, θi, and final, θs, volumetric water

Land use conversion critically affects soil structure and associated functions. This study investigated variations in soil structure and hydropedological characteristics across different land use types, that is, uncultivated, cultivated, and abandoned land under an arid condition. Water‐stable aggregates in the uncultivated land were 15.4%–37.1% of those in the cultivated and abandoned lands at depths

High‐quality development in agriculture is crucial for maintaining the harmonious balance between human society and the natural environment, and promoting this development model is one of the key measures to alleviate land degradation issues. This study, grounded in the PRED theory (Population, Resources, Environment, and Development theory) framework, establishes an evaluation system for high‐quality

Vegetation is a widely used eco‐friendly approach for slope reinforcement and ecological restoration. As a potential planting strategy, mixed planting of plants is often recommended to improve biodiversity, but the effects of mixed planting on soil reinforcement and slope stability are not yet clear. To address this issue, a study on two typical herbaceous slope protection plants, Chrysopogon zizanioides

The number of studies investigating root length has increased, particularly in the context of root length measurements observed through windows such as minirhizotrons and rhizoboxes. However, there are currently two obstacles constraining their broader utility: (1) the absence of standardized terminology or units for root length data, and (2) the translation from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional

Earthworms’ activities not only increase soil nitrogen (N) uptake by crops but also lead to N losses to environment. However, it remains unclear whether earthworms’ impact on the fate of fertilizer N differs based on the type of fertilizer application. Therefore, the present pot experiment examined the transformation and fate of two types of 15N-labeled fertilizer (synthetic fertilizer urea and organic

Traditional aggregate stability methodologies, such as wet sieving, rainfall simulation, and chemical dispersion, measure aggregate size, rather than stability. Sonication methods allow for energy-based measurements of aggregate stability, but most methods involve sieving to obtain gravimetric measurements of particle size fractions, which increases labor and variability compared to volumetric measurements

Pulsed N2O emissions resulting from field management practices (N fertilization addition and straw return) or rainfall events make for a significant proportion of the total annual N2O budget from croplands. However, it remains unclear whether altered rainfall patterns induced by climate change will stimulate the responses of pulsed N2O emissions to various field practices. In this study, we aimed to

The use of remote sensing techniques for mapping soil organic matter (SOM) in black soil regions is well established. However, in areas where Planosols are interspersed with non-Planosols, tilling impacts the soil spectra of tilled soils at varying times and to different extents. As a result, errors may arise when modeling Planosols and non-Planosols collectively using conventional methods. This study

Ridge-furrow plastic film mulching (RFM) planting system can conserve soil water and boost crop yield in semi-arid rainfed agricultural areas. In the east African Plateau (EAP), the RFM system has shown significant promoting effects on the yield and water use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Although the RFM system is effective and efficient, it is unclear how to

Machine learning (ML) applications in soil science have significantly increased over the past two decades, reflecting a growing trend towards data-driven research addressing soil security. This extensive application has mainly focused on enhancing predictions of soil properties, particularly soil organic carbon, and improving the accuracy of digital soil mapping (DSM). Despite these advancements, the

Linear structures such as woodlots and hedgerows offer many benefits to ecosystems, including enhancing biodiversity, increasing the abundance of plants and animals, and providing a wide range of ecosystem services. However, agriculture expansion has deteriorated and destroyed these elements in the farmland landscape. Human‐made structures like road verges, electricity pylons, or railways may enhance

Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) carried out by individual miners or small enterprises with limited capital, significantly contribute to land degradation and loss of biodiversity‐rich forests in the Amazon. Due to limited information on the edaphic conditions crucial for restoring these degraded areas, a soil evaluation method was employed in representative locations of the Peruvian Amazon

In desert ecosystems, afforestation with xerophytic shrubs has the potential to significantly increase soil nutrient levels by mitigating wind and soil erosion. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to elucidate the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and stability on different soil depths with afforestation years. We collected soil samples from the 0–20, 20–60, and 60–100 cm depths

Soil organic matter (SOM) determines soil fertility and functions, playing a key role in agriculture, the environment and climate change. During the past century, the SOM of the world, e.g., the black soil (Mollisol) in croplands of Northeast China, experienced extensive changes, making SOM monitoring crucial. Recently, digital soil mapping (DSM) with time-series remote sensing images has become a

Abandonment is a strategy applied to increase soil organic C (SOC) in degraded cropland, but such efforts may fail because of microbial N limitation after abandonment in the absence of fertilization. In this study, we investigated the associations between SOC and microbial necromass C (MNC) dynamics in bulk soil and particle-size pools with N availability in a cropland abandonment chronosequence on

The construction of underground pipelines negatively impacts soil productivity in various ecosystems. However, the temporal progression in the recovery of soil productivity following the reclamation of cropland impacted by natural gas pipeline rights‐of‐way (ROWs) construction remains unclear. This study examined temporal, post‐reclamation changes in selected soil health indicators and productivity

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Background and aims Enhancing selenium (Se) accumulation in crops is an important way to overcome human Se deficiency. However, increasing the Se content in the soil can produce toxic effects in crops. This study aimed to clarify the role of exogenous foliar jasmonic acid (JA) on alleviating Se toxicity of pak choi exposed to high levels of Se-toxicity in the soil. Methods Pak choi were exposed to

Abstract. Partitioning soil organic carbon (SOC) in fractions with different biogeochemical stability is useful to better understand and predict SOC dynamics and provide information related to soil health. Multiple SOC partition schemes exist, but few of them can be implemented on large sample sets and therefore be considered relevant options for soil monitoring. The well-established particulate organic

The profile of crop water uptake from the soil depends on rainfall regime (amount, seasonality, frequency distribution of rainfall event size), soil, crop, and management. This study, with a focus on winter wheat in a wheat-fallow system, combines measurements of hydrogen (δD) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes with a Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR), and measurements of root length density to (i) quantify

Cover crops are grown between two main crops to reduce periods of bare fallow. In highly diverse crop rotations, the lengths of break periods between two main crops vary highly over time and consequently the cover cropping management differs from year to year. Long‐term field trials are thus of limited use because the same cover cropping approach only appears once in several years. This increases the

Research on sustainable livelihoods tend to emphasis on objective and macroregional aspects. However, there is space to expand research on the farmers' livelihoods in the context of poverty alleviation and rural revitalization development. This paper uses a field survey on farmers' livelihood efficiency, influencing factors and mechanisms of farmers' livelihood efficiency in the Qinba mountainous areas