Geoderma最新文献

{"title":"Quantitative evaluation of different soil–water characteristic curve models on bare soil evaporation simulation","authors":"Mingsen Wang , Yu Jin , Lin Zhang , Yanfeng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The bare soil evaporation process is the link between the atmosphere and soil surface in the hydrologic cycle and, therefore, is a key issue in many fields of hydrological sciences. The selection of different soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) models is essential to simulate bare soil evaporation processes. Remarkably, there is a notable lack of understanding regarding the quantitative characterization of the impact of some SWCC models on the simulation accuracy of bare soil evaporation, including the van Genuchten model (VG model), Brooks-Corey model (BC model), Fredlund and Xing model (FX model), Log-Normal Distribution model (LN model), modified van Genuchten model (mVG model), modified Brooks-Corey model (mBC model) and modified Log-Normal Distribution model (mLN model). In our study, to evaluate different SWCC methods for the estimate of evaporation frombare soils, we collected three distinct sets of evaporation data from column tests representing different lithologies. Utilizing the numerical simulation, we integrated VG, BC, LN, FX, mVG, mBC and mLN models to Richards equation to construct the simulation models (abbreviated as VG-integrated, BC-integrated, LN-integrated and FX-integrated models, respectively) of unsaturated water flow, comparing the evaporation rates and cumulative evaporation obtained from those integrated models. The FX-integrated model exhibited superior accuracy in predicting evaporation dynamics for Beaver Creek sand (BCS) and Natural silt (NS), with slightly diminished performance for Coarse sand (CS). The FX-integrated model predicts cumulative evaporation pretty well for BCS, NS, and CS, with variances of −6.34%, 10.01%, and 11.25%, respectively. The VG-integrated and LN-integrated models captured the experimentally measured evaporation rates of NS well, with the values of <em>R<sup>2</sup></em> equal to 0.9390 and 0.9467, respectively. The BC-integrated model excelled in simulating CS with the values of <em>R<sup>2</sup></em> equal to 0.9409. The modified integrated model group (mVG-integrated, mBC-integrated, and mLN-integrated model) exhibits systematic improvements—particularly the mBC-integrated model achieves enhanced CS evaporation rate predictions (<em>R<sup>2</sup></em> = 0.9897 vs. BC-integrated’s 0.9409) with 69% lower root mean square error (<em>RMSE</em>; 0.25 vs. 0.83 mm/d), but their performance in simulating BCS and NS evaporation remains inferior to the FX-integrated model. Further analysis underscores the FX-integrated model’s superiority in simulating bare soil evaporation due to the FX model’s ability to estimate air-entry values and fitting SWCC dry-end data more accurately than the VG, BC, and LN models. Consequently, our findings suggest that the FX-integrated model is the preferred choice for simulating bare soil evaporation. The research findings provide practical guidance, especially in accurately assessing evaporation under sustained evaporation conditions in arid areas.</di","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117728"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146209593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry to characterise the decomposition degree of peat soils” [Geoderma 456 (2025) 117244]","authors":"Stephan Costabel, Claus Florian Stange","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117754","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117754"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147360695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential responses of prokaryotic and fungal communities in soil microenvironments to drying and wetting as affected by soil aggregate isolation method","authors":"Jonathan Y. Lin ,&nbsp;Daoyuan Wang ,&nbsp;Cameron K. McMillan ,&nbsp;King C. Law ,&nbsp;Kate M. Scow ,&nbsp;Jorge L. Mazza Rodrigues","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microorganisms live in communities within and on the surface of soil aggregates of varying sizes. A growing body of evidence suggests that different size fractions of aggregates are habitats for distinct microbial communities, but comparisons have been difficult owing to different aggregate separation methods. Two aggregate isolation methods, dry and wet sieving, originating from field moist and dried soils were used to investigate their effects on the prokaryotic and fungal communities in four aggregate size fractions (large macroaggregates (&gt;2000 μm), small macroaggregates (250–2000 μm), microaggregates (53–250 μm), and silt &amp; clay (&lt;53 μm)) using metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer. While prokaryotic community composition among treatments in each of the four size fractions was different, the composition and alpha diversity for fungi were more resistant to change in large and small macroaggregates than in the microaggregate and silt &amp; clay fractions. The average prokaryotic ribosomal RNA copy number and genome size increased in all aggregate size fractions when soils were dried before sieving. Decisions on which aggregate separation method to use depend heavily on the questions one is interested in, but soil storage conditions between sample collection and sieving are highlighted as driving the biggest differences in microbial community composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117723"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146152898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Organo-aluminum complexation as a dominant metal control on soil carbon storage in Andisols: Global evidence across pedogenic and pH gradients","authors":"Morimaru Kida ,&nbsp;Hirohiko Nagano ,&nbsp;Hiroaki Shimada ,&nbsp;Jumpei Fukumasu ,&nbsp;Rota Wagai","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117740","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117740","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and persistence are strongly controlled by reactive metal phases, particularly organically complexed aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) and short-range-order (SRO) minerals. However, their global relevance and the specific metal phases involved remain uncertain due to substantial variability in parent material, soil age, and rock-climate-SOC interactions. Andisols, derived from volcaniclastic materials and enriched in SOC and reactive metals, provide an ideal system to assess metal-SOC associations across broad pedogenic gradients. We compiled a global Andisol database of over 2850 soil samples across 34 countries, covering wide ranges of mean annual temperature (−2 °C to 30 °C), precipitation (60–6000 mm y⁻¹), and soil pH in water (3.1–9.3). Most samples clustered within pH 4.5–6.5, corresponding to an Al-buffered domain where soil pH is predominantly regulated by Al hydrolysis reactions and equilibria among reactive Al pools. Generalized additive mixed model analyses identified organically complexed Al (pyrophosphate-extractable Al, Al_p) as the strongest global predictor of SOC (relative importance = 40%) after accounting for soil depth. SRO Al minerals (acid oxalate-extractable Al minus Al_p) showed moderate importance (relative importance = 10%), whereas reactive Fe and clay content had minor effects. Exchangeable calcium contributed significantly only at pH &gt; ∼6.3, consistent with a transition toward base-cation buffering. The persistence of strong SOC-Al_p relationships within the Al-buffered domain, together with consistent pH-dependent shifts in reactive Al and Fe pools, suggests that complexation with pedogenic Al released through weathering may exert a first-order control on mineral-protected SOC beyond Andisols and provides a mechanistic basis for incorporation into global-scale models. Identifying dominant stabilization mechanisms remains critical for determining whether SOC persistence is primarily regulated by carbon inputs, metal supply, or their combined effects. Given its integration of organically complexed and SRO Al phases and its broad data availability, acid oxalate-extractable Al emerges as the most practical proxy for mineral-protected SOC at the global scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117740"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146777804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in natural 15N abundance highlight warming-induced stimulation of soil nitrate losses by coupled nitrification–denitrification in an old-growth montane forest","authors":"Michaela Bachmann ,&nbsp;Ye Tian ,&nbsp;Jakob Heinzle ,&nbsp;Werner Borken ,&nbsp;Erich Inselsbacher ,&nbsp;Wolfgang Wanek ,&nbsp;Andreas Schindlbacher","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate warming alters biogeochemical cycles, especially in high-altitude forests where warming accelerates soil organic matter decomposition and CO₂ efflux. Faster nitrogen (N) mineralization can enhance N availability to plants but may also increase N losses if soil microbial N use efficiency declines. However, long-term data on soil N loss mechanisms remain scarce. Key N cycling processes affect the natural ¹⁵N:¹⁴N isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) differentially, with (de)nitrification yielding ¹⁵N-depleted products and leaving residual pools ¹⁵N-enriched. We investigated belowground N cycling after 14 years of soil warming (+4 °C) in a temperate old-growth forest in Achenkirch, Austria, by measuring δ¹⁵N values in belowground N pools (root N, bulk soil N, microbial biomass N, ammonium, nitrate) through isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Warming had no effect on δ¹⁵N of bulk soil N, microbial biomass N, and nitrate, but significantly increased δ¹⁵N in root N (−5.0 to −4.1‰) and in soil ammonium (−2.9 to 1.1‰). Root δ¹⁵N, reflecting inorganic soil N, indicates that warming-induced N losses caused ¹⁵N enrichment of inorganic soil N. Elevated ammonium δ¹⁵N points to increased rates of nitrification, while nitrate δ¹⁵N patterns imply denitrification (60–65% of nitrate sink) exceeding leaching as the main loss pathway, which aligns with available field observations. Coupled plant–soil δ¹⁵N analysis thus revealed decadal warming-driven changes in N cycling and identified coupled nitrification–denitrification as a key pathway of soil N loss, which is otherwise difficult to measure directly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117746"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146777800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of legume intercropping and nitrogen application on soil phosphorus availability and leaf nutrient status in subtropical Camellia oleifera plantations","authors":"Xuejia Huang ,&nbsp;Yuanqun Wu ,&nbsp;Xinxin He ,&nbsp;Yuanying Peng ,&nbsp;Tianyi Yan ,&nbsp;Wende Yan ,&nbsp;Xiaoyong Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphorus (P) availability is often limited in subtropical acidic soils due to fixation by iron and aluminum oxides, constraining nutrient uptake and productivity in <em>Camellia oleifera</em> plantations. However, the mechanisms by which the effects of artificial nitrogen (N) application and natural N fixation via legume intercropping on soil P dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, the independent effects of legume intercropping and N application on soil P fractions, soil biochemical properties and leaf nutrient content were investigated in <em>C. oleifera</em> plantations in subtropical China. Six treatments were applied: monoculture with weeding, monoculture without weeding, intercropping with <em>Cassia tora</em> or peanut, and monoculture with low or high N application (25 or 50 g urea per plant). Soil P fractions, soil organic carbon, total N, pH, ammonium (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate (NO₃⁻-N), acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, and leaf C, N, and P contents were measured at the growth (July) and mature (September) stages. Results showed that both legume intercropping and low N application independently enhanced total and labile soil P, increased soil organic carbon, and improved leaf nutrient contents compared to the control. High N initially reduced labile P but partially recovered by maturity. Phosphatase activities declined at maturity but remained higher in intercropped and fertilized plots, indicating improved P cycling. Nitrate N concentrations increased from the growth stage to the mature stage. These results suggest that legume intercropping and N application, when applied independently, each promote soil P availability and plant nutrient uptake, highlighting practical strategies to enhance soil fertility and sustain <em>C. oleifera</em> production in subtropical acidic soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117724"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron oxides, enzymes, and nutrients control soil organic matter stability in subtropical forest ecosystems","authors":"Mingyuan Hu ,&nbsp;Xiaoqin Dai ,&nbsp;Yakov Kuzyakov ,&nbsp;Decai Gao ,&nbsp;Shengwang Meng ,&nbsp;Sidan Lyu ,&nbsp;Zhou Yang ,&nbsp;Xinyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Fu ,&nbsp;Liang Kou ,&nbsp;Fengting Yang ,&nbsp;Xuefa Wen ,&nbsp;Huimin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although mineral protection plays a pivotal role in maintaining the long-term stability of soil organic matter (SOM), the mechanisms by which mineral protection acts through interactions with nutrients and enzymes remain unclear. Our aim was to explore how Fe and Al oxides, enzymes, and nutrients affect SOM stability. Here, a field sampling was conducted in subtropical forests, examining carbon (C) of SOM, particulate organic matter, and mineral-associated organic matter (SOM-C, POM-C, and MAOM-C), Fe and Al oxide contents, enzyme activities, and nutrient contents from topsoil to the maximal soil depth (60-215 cm). The increase in the content of amorphous and complexed Fe and Al oxides decreased the specific C mineralization rate (C_min) and increased the SOM-C, POM-C, and MAOM-C. The shared effects of Fe and Al oxides, enzymes, and nutrients explained 31% and 39% more variance in C_min and SOM-C, respectively, than Fe and Al oxides did individually. Combined with the result that Fe and Al oxides increased enzyme activities and nutrient contents, we suggested that Fe and Al oxides can increase SOM stability by adsorbing enzymes and nutrients. Among these Fe and Al oxides, complexed Fe oxides (Fe_p) emerged as the dominant factor controlling SOM stability. Furthermore, Fe and Al oxides also indirectly protected POM-C from decomposition by adsorbing available phosphorus, NH₄⁺, and hydrolase and polyphenol oxidase. Notably, the influence of Fe and Al oxides on SOM stability was depth-dependent. Their regulatory effects, mediated through enzymes and nutrients, were weaker in the subsoil than in the topsoil. Overall, our findings highlight the role of Fe and Al oxides in regulating SOM stability by adsorbing extracellular enzymes and nutrients. This insight provides a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying SOM preservation in forest ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117731"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trade-offs and counteractions: carbon sink-source dynamics and carbon market potential in paddy fields under long-term elevated CO2 and warming","authors":"Shaopan Xia ,&nbsp;Yaran Fan ,&nbsp;Ziqi Zhu ,&nbsp;Chenxu Zhangsong ,&nbsp;Bingbing Yu ,&nbsp;Wei Yang ,&nbsp;Qiang Li ,&nbsp;Yuchuan Fan ,&nbsp;Rongjun Bian ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Liu ,&nbsp;Jufeng Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice paddies, which are crucial to global food security but also significant sources of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, are facing unprecedented pressure under climate change. Quantifying their carbon sink-source dynamics under interactive elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) and warming is essential for climate-resilient management. Using a 12-year free-air CO₂ enrichment plus infrared warming (T-FACE) experiment in paddy field, we quantified interactive effects on C balance. Elevated CO₂ (600 ppm) alone increased aboveground and belowground biomass by 20.1% and 42.2%, enhancing topsoil (0–20 cm) organic carbon (SOC) storage (+12.64 Mg C hm⁻²) but raising methane (CH₄) emissions by 56.0%. Warming (+2°C) alone reduced subsoil SOC (20–100 cm; −14.80 Mg C hm⁻²), decreased belowground biomass (−5.2%), and increased CH₄ emissions by 47.3%, converting paddies to net C sources (−73.43 kg C hm⁻²). Combined eCO₂ and warming synergistically amplified CH₄ emissions (+77.4%), offsetting modest C sequestration gains (+94.09 kg C hm⁻²) despite intermediate plant productivity. Vertical SOC distribution revealed divergent responses: eCO₂-driven gains concentrated in topsoil, while warming-induced losses dominated subsoil layers (&gt;20 cm depth). Net ecosystem carbon budgets (NECB) showed eCO₂ enhanced sequestration (+254.85 kg C hm⁻²), whereas warming caused net C loss (−73.43 kg C hm⁻²). Economic analysis projected carbon market revenues of ¥1.5 billion (2060 price) under eCO₂ but penalties of −¥420 million under warming for China’s paddy area (3 × 10⁷ hm²). Critically, current carbon markets overlook CH₄-driven global warming potential (GWP) increases (+28.9–39.1%), inflating apparent benefits of eCO₂. We conclude that unmanaged paddies under future climates risk becoming net GHG sources due to warming-induced subsoil C loss and synergistic CH₄ emissions. Strategic interventions—water management (e.g., mid-season drainage), stabilized organic amendments, and deep-rooted cultivars—are essential to leverage eCO₂-driven C sequestration while mitigating CH₄. Policy frameworks must integrate GWP-adjusted accounting to avoid incentivizing high-methane C sinks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117736"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146209592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Glued forever: incomplete dispersion hampers POM-MAOM fractionation in soils with high SOC and metal (hydr)oxide content","authors":"M.S. Breure ,&nbsp;A.J. van der Sluijs ,&nbsp;G.J. Koorneef ,&nbsp;A-R. Salonen ,&nbsp;M.M. Pulleman ,&nbsp;M. Hagens ,&nbsp;W.D.C. Schenkeveld ,&nbsp;D.P. Di Lonardo","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fractionation of soil organic carbon (SOC) into particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) has contributed to our understanding of soil carbon cycling. Size fractionation following soil dispersion with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a common method to separate POC (&gt;50 µm) from MAOC (&lt;50 µm). Complete dispersion of aggregates is essential to avoid overestimation of the POC and underestimation of the MAOC pools. We investigated how soil properties, particularly the contents of SOC, nanocrystalline aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) (hydr)oxides, and exchangeable cations, affect soil dispersion with 5 g L⁻¹ SHMP using a set of 38 widely diverse soils. Completeness of dispersion was evaluated by assessing the content of fine particles (&lt;50 µm) present in the coarse fraction (&gt;50 µm) after size fractionation, using laser diffraction analysis. Multiple linear regression revealed that dispersion was less complete with increasing contents of SOC and Al and Fe (hydr)oxides, and also depended on soil texture. On average, incomplete dispersion led to 3.6 g MAOC kg⁻¹ soil (range: 0–42 g kg⁻¹) erroneously ending up in the coarse fraction, corresponding with a 33.4% (range 0–217%) overestimation of POC and a 7.8% (range: 0–53%) underestimation of MAOC. The residual moisture content of 40 °C dried soils emerged as a cost-efficient and effective indicator for the risk of incomplete dispersion, except in soils high in exchangeable Na and/or Mg. Checking and reporting completeness of dispersion after size fractionation should be common practice when studying soil carbon pools. This study provides methodological insights that can guide improvements in SOC fractionation accuracy. Future refinements should focus on optimizing dispersion techniques while carefully balancing the risk of POM fragmentation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117704"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146777812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accounting for soil class variability in Mediterranean Europe using legacy soil maps and the topsoil LUCAS survey","authors":"G. Belvisi ,&nbsp;C. Schillaci ,&nbsp;L. Gristina ,&nbsp;A. Delgado ,&nbsp;D. Triantakonstantis ,&nbsp;N. Lolos ,&nbsp;M. Batsalia ,&nbsp;A. Jones ,&nbsp;L. Ribeiro Roder ,&nbsp;C. Zucca ,&nbsp;R. Scalenghe","doi":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geoderma.2026.117735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mediterranean soils exhibit high pedological diversity, shaped by complex climatic, geomorphological, and anthropogenic drivers. Assessing this variability at the continental scale requires harmonized sampling frameworks. The LUCAS topsoil module provides standardized EU-wide topsoil physico-chemical and biological data, but its capacity to represent soil type diversity, particularly in heterogeneous Mediterranean landscapes, has not yet been evaluated. To perform this evaluation, this study compared LUCAS topsoil sampling points with legacy soil maps (LSMs) across multiple spatial scales (continental, national, sub-national) in Mediterranean Europe. We employed two complementary metrics: (i) the Average Absolute Coverage Difference (AACD), (ii) and a proportional mean index. Results show that continental-scale maps (e.g., WRB-FULL, WRB-LEV1) achieved AACD values below 1%, showing that sampling point distribution reflects well the soil type variability at this spatial scale and taxonomic levels. The performance was good also when sub-national maps with higher level of pedodiversity (Soil Map of Sicily) were used, with AACD between 1.2% and 1.7%. Overall, higher capacity to capture pedological diversity was observed in maps featuring higher soil diversity, larger spatial extent, and a greater number of soil map units (SMUs). However, some specific RSG, Histosols and Leptosols were underrepresented, whereas Calcisols were systematically oversampled. Overall, the LUCAS sampling design captures soil type variability at multiple scales, and incorporating local pedodiversity could reduce biases and improve compliance with the European Soil Monitoring Law. Legacy soil maps remain essential for optimising sampling design and extending harmonised soil monitoring to data-scarce regions such as the Near East and North Africa (NENA).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12511,"journal":{"name":"Geoderma","volume":"467 ","pages":"Article 117735"},"PeriodicalIF":6.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146778125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}