Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment最新文献

{"title":"Effects of long-term vegetation restoration on soil aggregate and aggregate-associated nutrient stoichiometry of desertified grassland on the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau","authors":"Zhong Du ,&nbsp;Rui Zhou ,&nbsp;Yan Chen ,&nbsp;Enran Zhan ,&nbsp;Youjun Chen ,&nbsp;Huan Zheng ,&nbsp;Dongzhou Deng ,&nbsp;Li He ,&nbsp;Dechao Chen ,&nbsp;Huijun Gao ,&nbsp;Yiqun Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the context of restoring desertified grassland vegetation, elucidating the intricate composition and stability of soil aggregates, coupled with the essential stoichiometric attributes of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), is vital for assessing the intricate soil biogeochemical processes and ecosystem services. However, previous research has predominantly focused on the characteristics of grassland vegetation communities, soil physicochemical factors, and their interrelationships, with limited studies on the properties of C, N, and P stoichiometry. This study examined four desertified grasslands with varying restoration periods (10a, 14a, 20a, and 40a) to assess the long-term restoration effects on soil aggregates and aggregate-associated nutrient stoichiometry in eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. The results showed that as the restoration period progressed, plant diversity and vegetation coverage increased accordingly. The contents of soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), and total P (TP) in soil aggregates of various depths and sizes, especially in the macroaggregates, gradually increased and peaked after 20 years of restoration. Conversely, the contents of microaggregates and clay-silt fractions generally exhibited a downward trend. After two decades, the desertified grassland's soil aggregates achieved an optimal level of stability. Furthermore, the vegetation restoration resulted in notable changes in soil aggregate-associated C, N, and P stoichiometric of desertified grassland. A marked strong correlation was observed between the composition and stability of soil aggregates and the stoichiometric characteristics of these essential nutrients, with the macroaggregate mass ratio showing a positive relationship with aggregate stability. Our findings have significant implications for ecological restoration strategies, aiming to promote long-term soil health and productivity in degraded landscapes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109661"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738926","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":"Intercropping enhances stable soil organic carbon pool through macroaggregate protection and biochemical recalcitrance interactions","authors":"Ding Wang ,&nbsp;Wenchun Yu ,&nbsp;Chunyan Ming ,&nbsp;Linkang Chen ,&nbsp;Ping Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaojun Shi ,&nbsp;Zhengxiong Zhao ,&nbsp;Maopan Fan ,&nbsp;Guangqiang Long","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diversified cropping can enhance soil organic carbon (SOC); however, the mechanisms through which it alters the SOC pool and microbial regulation remain unclear. This study examined the responses of the stable SOC pool to intercropping and nitrogen (N) fertilization in a seven-year field experiment involving three cropping patterns: maize monoculture, potato monoculture, and maize/potato intercropping, under three N levels. Intercropping increased SOC content by 9.8–36.1 % and the stable C pool (the sum of the slow and resistant SOC pools) by 12.3–72.1 % in bulk soil compared to monocultures, with the maximum increase at the low nitrogen (LN) level. The enhanced stable C pool in intercropping was primarily attributed to greater proportion of large macroaggregates (&gt; 2 mm) and increased aromaticity of SOC within these macroaggregates. Although N fertilization in intercropping did not affect SOC aromaticity, it further increased the proportion of large macroaggregates at the LN level. Intercropping shifted the microbial keystone taxa related to SOC formation from oligotrophic bacteria (e.g., <em>Anaerolineaceae</em> from Chloroflexi) in potato monoculture to copiotrophic bacteria (e.g., <em>Micromonosporaceae</em> of <em>Actinobacteria</em>), accompanied by a higher abundance from <em>Chaetomiaceae</em> of <em>Sordariomycetes</em> among the fungal keystone taxa within macroaggregates. These shifts reflected increased activities of carbon cycling enzymes (e.g., peroxidases and α-/β-glucosidase) and a higher proportion of large macroaggregates, facilitating the formation and accumulation of aromatic C in intercropping. This study provides insights into how intercropping enhances SOC stocks and offers guidance on N fertilization strategies to promote SOC sequestration in diversified cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109654"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143748202","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":"Feeding salicylates containing willow leaves to cattle modulates urea metabolism and mitigates urine-derived ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from soil","authors":"Carolin B.M. Müller-Kiedrowski ,&nbsp;Solvig Görs ,&nbsp;Verena K. Mittermeier-Kleßinger ,&nbsp;Corinna Dawid ,&nbsp;Nicole Wrage-Mönnig ,&nbsp;Björn Kuhla","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ruminants on grazing lands have a great impact on ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions released from livestock production. Willow leaves are an established supplement in ruminant nutrition and are rich in salicylates and tannins, which may have a mitigating effect on NH₃ and N₂O emissions. We hypothesised that willow leaf supplementation in cattle nutrition affects nitrogen (N) and urea metabolism and mitigates urinary NH₃ and N₂O emissions from soil. Eight weaned Holstein bull calves were kept on pasture and supplemented with willow leaves or alfalfa hay in a crossover design. In a respiration chamber, feed intake, faeces and urine excretions were recorded and analysed for total N and N-metabolites. Urea-N recycling was measured by the intravenous administration of a ¹³C urea tracer and a series of blood sampling. Cattle urine and artificial mimics supplemented with different salicylates were incubated with standard soil to measure NH₃ and N₂O and the N and O isotopic signatures. Despite a decline in urea turnover and N digestibility in rations supplemented with willow leaves, the leaves had no effect on microbial protein synthesis or the growth rate. Urine excretions with reduced urea but increased hippuric acid, phenolic acids, and salicylate concentrations in cattle fed willow leaves mainly inhibited bacterial denitrification processes involved in N₂O release from soil and mitigated NH₃ and N₂O emissions by 14 and 81 %, respectively. The results highlight intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that define both the nutritional significance and emission mitigation potential of supplementing cattle in pastures with willow leaves.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109671"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Turning point of direct N2O emissions in China’s croplands dominated by reduced fertilizer usage since 2015","authors":"Zimeng Li ,&nbsp;Songbai Hong ,&nbsp;Ziyuan Sun ,&nbsp;Nan Cong ,&nbsp;Yanzi Yan ,&nbsp;Fa Li ,&nbsp;Yuanyi Gao ,&nbsp;Yan Sun ,&nbsp;Yilin Chen ,&nbsp;Yue Chen ,&nbsp;Xuhui Wang ,&nbsp;Shilong Piao","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers have been applied into China’s croplands to ensure adequate crop production, leading to massive direct nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from cropland soils. Since 1980, the agricultural direct N₂O emissions in China have shown sustained and impressive growth, associated with the expansion of croplands and intensified fertilization practices. However, it remains uncertain how direct N₂O emissions have responded to recent agricultural policies characterized by reducing N fertilizer use and adjusting crop mix. This lack of clarity limits practical insights into the effectiveness of these policies. To fill this gap, we here provided a more detailed and timely assessment of crop-specific N₂O emissions during 1980–2022 based on a comprehensive N₂O-emission factor dataset and the random forest algorithm. The resulting estimation exhibited a long-term average of 174.7 Gg N₂O-N yr⁻¹, with 46 % of it contributed by staple crops (rice, maize and wheat) and 44 % from three cash crops (vegetables, fruit and tea). The temporal sequences revealed a noticeable increase over 1980–2015, peaking in 2015 at 259.9 Gg N₂O-N yr⁻¹, followed by a subsequent decline to 215.3 Gg N₂O-N yr⁻¹ by 2022. The divergent trends of N₂O emissions were observed countrywide, with the turning point at 2015 recognized across more than three-quarter croplands. N application was identified as the fundamental driver for this temporal trajectory, especially the decline after 2015. This study affirms the great environmental benefits from the actions targeted at reducing fertilizer usage and enhancing efficiency since 2015. It also provides valuable insights for estimating and mitigating global N₂O emissions from croplands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109655"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738923","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":"Nutrient amendment promotes vegetation restoration and improves ecosystem carbon uptake capacity in a degraded grassland","authors":"Yaxiang Lü ,&nbsp;Binger An ,&nbsp;Qingmin Pan ,&nbsp;Wei Liu ,&nbsp;Jiamei Sun ,&nbsp;Jing Wang ,&nbsp;Zhiyan Qi ,&nbsp;Chao Li ,&nbsp;Shande Dou ,&nbsp;Xingguo Han","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Approximately 49 % of global grasslands are degraded due to overgrazing and other forms of mismanagement, resulting in great reduction in vegetation productivity and carbon uptake capacity. Degradation-induced losses of soil nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), severely hinder the restoration of degraded grasslands in China. However, whether and how amendments of N and/or P promote vegetation recovery and improve carbon uptake capacity in degraded grasslands remain poorly understood. Here we present the results of a nutrient amendment experiment conducted in a degraded grassland in Inner Mongolia, where we evaluated the individual and joint effects of N and P amendments. We found that N amendment increased the aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), belowground net primary productivity (BNPP), gross ecosystem carbon production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) by 66.9 %, 61.6 %, 27.3 %, 18.8 %, and 32.3 %, respectively, while NP co-amendment stimulated these variables by 104.7 %, 171.4 %, 48.7 %, 36.7 % and 56.8 %, respectively. In contrast, P amendment alone had little effect on these variables except for BNPP. We observed a distinct shift in the dominance of plant species, with short-stature, unproductive grasses being replaced by the originally-dominant, tall-stature, productive grasses. This shift significantly contributed to the improvement of ecosystem carbon uptake capacity. Moreover, we identified a synergistic interaction between N and P on GEP, ER, and NEE. Our results suggest that effective restoration strategies, such as the proper amendment of limiting nutrients, can help restore the large-scale, degraded grasslands and enhance their carbon uptake capacity in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109666"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738924","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":"Comprehensive assessment of soil health in representative kiwifruit orchards in southwest China","authors":"Jiangzhou Zhang ,&nbsp;Rumeng Han ,&nbsp;Shanghui Duan ,&nbsp;Peter Christie ,&nbsp;Junling Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Improving soil health is important for sustainable agriculture. However, inappropriate soil management threatens soil quality, potentially reducing crop yield and compromising other soil functions. Assessment of soil health, identification and amelioration of the soil constraining factors to improve crop yields are important for the long-term benefits. However, few studies on soil health in perennial cash crops have been conducted. In this study, intensive soil sampling was conducted at soil depths of 0–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm in kiwifruit orchards with high yield (HY; average 25.9 t ha⁻¹) and low yield (LY; average 7.0 t ha⁻¹) in adjoining field sites to assess soil health and multifunctionality, and identify the major factors limiting yields. Additionally, a field experiment was conducted to test the effect of localized application of sand on amelioration of soil physical parameters for improving yield. Soil physical properties, but not chemical or biological properties, differed between HY and LY orchards. Soil porosity and aeration porosity at 0–30 cm deep in HY orchards were higher than in LY orchards. In contrast, soil bulk density and surface hardness had the opposite trends. Soil health and multifunctionality indices were the highest at 0–30 cm deep, but did not differ significantly between HY and LY orchards regardless of soil depth. Soil physical health indicator at 0–30 and 30–60 cm deep was higher (24 % and 32 %, respectively) in HY orchards than in LY orchards. The structural equation model indicated that soil surface hardness, bulk density and soil aeration porosity were major physical factors constraining kiwifruit yield. Soil porosity, root length density and kiwifruit yield were increased in the localized sand application treatment. These results indicate that soil health testing is a prerequisite prior to the establishment of orchards. The remediation of soil physical traits is important for optimizing kiwifruit yield in soils with high clay contents or compacted soil with high bulk density.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109656"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738909","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":"The competitive effects of crop straw return and nitrogen fertilization on soil acidification","authors":"Jia Cheng ,&nbsp;Cheng-Ze Yang ,&nbsp;Le Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhuo-Jun Lin ,&nbsp;Yash Pal Dang ,&nbsp;Xin Zhao ,&nbsp;Hai-Lin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil acidification has become an increasingly severe issue in China, with the role of straw return practices in mitigating this challenge remaining widely debated. This study examines the combined effects of straw return and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil pH, highlighting their competing influences on acidification. A meta-analysis of 44 field trials across China revealed that N fertilization alone reduced soil pH by an average of 3.72 %. However, straw return mitigated this pH decline, increasing soil pH by 0.02 and 0.10 units in acidic and neutral soils, respectively. Compared to N-only treatment, the interaction between N and straw return produced varying effects. High N inputs (&gt;100 kg/ha) with low straw return further decreased soil pH, while high straw return with low N inputs moderately alleviated acidification. This phenomenon is attributed to the ability of straw return to counteract H⁺ ion production through several mechanisms such as replenishing cations removed during crop harvest, increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by optimizing the soil carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. These findings suggest that integrating balanced straw return practices with N fertilization can effectively mitigate acidification caused by N inputs. These strategies offer significant potential for promoting sustainable agricultural systems in China and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109638"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143734619","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":"Exogenous nitrogen enhances aboveground plant phosphorus accumulation through soil moisture and organic carbon in semi-arid grazed wetlands","authors":"Mingye Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuchen Liu ,&nbsp;Yu An ,&nbsp;Dongjie Zhang ,&nbsp;Jianghao Tan ,&nbsp;Le Wang ,&nbsp;Yifan Li ,&nbsp;Ming Jiang ,&nbsp;Haitao Wu ,&nbsp;Shouzheng Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agricultural utilization of wetlands has witnessed a continuous upward trend, with the semi-arid regions being especially prominent in this regard. These wetlands under human management have consequently emerged as crucial constituents within the agricultural ecosystem. Grazing is considered a predominant land use practice profoundly impacting nutrient cycling and redistribution in semi-arid wetlands, and exogenous nitrogen (N) from atmospheric deposition and agricultural water discharge simultaneously participated these processes. Nevertheless, the impacts of exogenous N input and grazing on phosphorus (P) distribution patterns remain nebulous, especially in the semi-arid Songnen Plain of China, where P limitation prevails. In order to address this knowledge gap, the study conducted a field experiment with four grazing intensities (natural, light, medium, and heavy) and two N addition levels (with and without) in semi-arid wetlands. The results show that grazing and N addition together affect P content in soil and plant organs. Grazing intensity generally reduces soil P, regardless of N addition, while N addition promotes soil P accumulation in natural wetlands. P content in plant organs increases with grazing intensity. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil water content (SWC), electrical conductivity, and soil N are positively correlated with soil P but negatively correlated with P in stems and leaves. RDA shows that SWC and SOC are key factors influencing P distribution in soil and plant organs. Plant growth strategies create a positive correlation between root and soil P contents, and a negative correlation between P in stems, leaves, and soil. SEM further shows that grazing significantly affects P levels in soil and plant organs, while N addition boosts P uptake in roots and its transfer to aboveground organs, mediated by SWC and SOC. These findings show that exogenous N input alters P acquisition strategies and distribution in plant organs and soil in grazed wetlands of semi-arid regions. This study enhances understanding of P cycling and offers practical guidelines for sustainable wetland management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109635"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725525","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":"Complementary effects of encroachment and grazing intensity for soil quality in a mountain grassland","authors":"E.A.N. Marks ,&nbsp;J.M. Barbosa ,&nbsp;J. Mataix-Solera ,&nbsp;F. García-Orenes ,&nbsp;M. Rincon-Madroñero ,&nbsp;V. Arcenegui ,&nbsp;S. Albolafio ,&nbsp;A. Contreras ,&nbsp;J.A. Sánchez-Zapata","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grasslands are globally significant ecosystems held in an ecological balance by herbivory, with a natural tendency towards shrub encroachment, creating a tension between two alternative successional trajectories. The influence of grazing pressure on soil properties is not yet accurately predicted across ecosystems, nor its interaction with encroachment, with quite variable effects found. We studied the combined effect of grazing and encroachment on soil ecophysiological processes by collecting soil samples from paired locations with and without shrub presence across a managed high-altitude pastureland of 14,000 ha. By tracking 26 sheep herds with GPS collars over multiple years, we created a spatially explicit map of grazing intensity over the landscape, permitting quantification of grazing impacts on soil properties on a continuous scale. Grazing changed soil nutrient status, increasing total soil nitrogen (TN) by up to 0.77 % over the gradient, and available phosphorus (P_avail) by up to 12 times. Grazing increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by up to 4.5 % across the gradient, and encroachment increased SOC by 1.2 %. SOC increases under these two conditions likely represent two co-occurring paths soil carbon accumulation since particulate organic carbon (POC) was increased by 44 % under shrubs, while the effect of grazing was unclear. Grazing and encroachment impacts on the soil microbial community diverged, since microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) increased by up to 86 % with grazing intensity with a simultaneous decrease in microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient (<em>q</em>CO₂), however neither were affected by encroachment. Overall, encroachment and grazing were seen to be complementary for soil protection and provision of ecosystem services, though their effects on certain parameters were contrasting. This knowledge may be useful for adaptive management in high nature value agroecological landscapes, and can improve large-scale projections of SOC stocks and other soil properties incorporating varying degrees of grazing intensity and the influence of encroachment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109652"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143715210","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":"Conversion of arable land to perennial bioenergy crops increases soil organic carbon stocks on the long term","authors":"Fabien Ferchaud ,&nbsp;Sylvain Marsac ,&nbsp;Bruno Mary","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.109637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Perennial C4 bioenergy crops can combine high productivity and low input requirements. However, their impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of converting arable land to perennial bioenergy crops on SOC stocks for two crop species (miscanthus and switchgrass) and several crop management practices (nitrogen fertilization, harvest date and irrigation). We analyzed two long-term experiments located in northern and southern France. Both sites were sampled initially and after 12 or 13 years. SOC stocks were calculated at equivalent soil mass in each site and δ¹³C measurements were used to calculate changes in “new” and “old” SOC stocks. SOC stocks in the old ploughed layer increased significantly in both sites but most of the SOC storage occurred in the topsoil layer (∼0–5 cm). SOC storage rate was fairly similar between miscanthus and switchgrass but was much greater in the southern site than in the northern site (0.96 <em>vs</em> 0.26 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). This larger storage rate was mainly explained by higher carbon inputs, as suggested by the higher accumulation rate of new SOC (1.41 <em>vs</em> 0.86 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). No significant effect of the management practices on the SOC change rate could be detected, but early harvest systematically reduced SOC storage compared to late harvest (by 33 % for miscanthus and 12 % for switchgrass). Higher carbon inputs due to late harvest or irrigated conditions were partly compensated by a higher old SOC decrease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"388 ","pages":"Article 109637"},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143715276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}