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Current soil‐ and land degradation seriously challenge our societies; it contributes to climate change, loss of biodiversity and loss of agricultural productions. Yet, soils are also seen as a major part of the solution, if maintained or restored to provide ecosystem services. Climate‐smart sustainable management of soils can provide options for soil health maintenance and restoration. In the European Union, the resource management and sustainability challenge are addressed in the Green Deal that, among other goals, aspires towards a healthy climate‐resilient agricultural sector that will produce sufficient products without damaging ecosystems and contribute to better biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The European Joint Programme (EJP) SOIL was set up to contribute to these goals by developing knowledge, tools and an integrated research community to foster climate‐smart sustainable agricultural soil management that provides a diversity of ecosystem service, such as adapting to and mitigating climate change, allowing sustainable food production, and sustaining soil biodiversity. This paper provides an overview of the potential of climate‐smart sustainable soil management research to the targets of the Green Deal that are related to soils most directly. The EJP SOIL EU‐wide consultation (interviews and questionnaires) and literature analysis (national and international reports and papers) done in the first year (2020–2021) generated a wealth of data. This data showed that there are specific manners to do research that are essential for it to be effective and efficient and that can actively contribute to the Green Deal targets. We concluded that research needs to be: (i) interdisciplinary, (ii) long‐term, (iii) multi‐scaled, from plot to landscape, (iv) evaluating trade‐offs of selected management options for ecosystem services and (v) co‐constructed with key stakeholders. Research on climate‐smart sustainable soil management should be developed (1) on plot scale when mobilizing soil processes and on landscape scale when addressing sediment and water connectivity and biodiversity management; and (2) address the enabling conditions through good governance, social acceptance and viable economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of soil is critical for the ecosystem services it provides since it regulates many key soil processes, including water, air and solute movement, root growth and the activity of soil biota. Soil structure is dynamic, driven by external factors such as land management and climate and mediated by a wide range of biological agents and physical processes operating at strongly contrasting time‐scales, from seconds (e.g., tillage) to many decades (e.g., faunal activity and soil aggregation). In this respect, positive feedbacks in the soil–plant system may lead in the longer term to soil physical degradation or to the recovery of structurally poor soils. As far as we are aware, no existing soil‐crop model can account for such processes. In this paper, we describe a new soil‐crop model (USSF, Uppsala model of Soil Structure and Function) that accounts for the effects of soil structure dynamics on water and organic matter cycling at the soil profile scale. Soil structure dynamics are expressed as time‐varying physical (bulk density, porosity) and hydraulic properties (water retention, hydraulic conductivity) responding to the activity of biological agents (i.e., earthworms, plant roots) and physical processes (i.e., tillage, soil swell‐shrink) at seasonal to decadal time‐scales. In this first application of the model, we present the results of 30‐year scenario simulations that illustrate the potential role and importance of soil structure dynamics for the soil water balance, carbon storage in soil, root growth, and winter wheat yields on two soils (loam and clay) in the climate of central Sweden. A sensitivity analysis was also performed for these two scenarios using the Morris method of elementary effects, which revealed that the most sensitive parameters controlling soil structure dynamics in the USSF model are those determining aggregation induced by organic matter turnover and swell/shrink. We suggest that the USSF model is a promising new tool to investigate a wide range of processes and phenomena triggered by land use and climate change. Results from this study show that feedback in the soil‐crop system mediated by the dynamics of soil physical and hydraulic properties are potentially of central importance for long‐term predictions of soil water balance, crop production, and carbon sequestration under global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have read with interest an opinion paper recently published in the European Journal of Soil Science (Berthelin et al., 2022). This paper presents some interesting considerations, at least one of which is already well known to soil scientists working on soil organic carbon (SOC), that is, a large portion (80%–90%) of fresh carbon inputs to soil is subject to rapid mineralization. The short‐term mineralization kinetics of organic inputs is well‐known and accounted for in soil organic matter models. Thus, clearly, the long‐term predictions based on these models do not overlook short‐term mineralization. We point out that many agronomic practices can significantly contribute to SOC sequestration. If conducted responsibly whilst fully recognising the caveats, SOC sequestration can lead to a win‐win situation where agriculture can both contribute to the mitigation of climate change and adapt to it, whilst at the same time delivering other co‐benefits such as reduced soil erosion and enhanced biodiversity. Highlights: Rapid mineralization of organic inputs is an important factor for soil carbon sequestration.Mineralization kinetics of organic inputs are well‐known and accounted for in soil organic matter models.Many agronomic practices can contribute significantly to SOC sequestration.SOC sequestration can lead to a win‐win situation where agriculture can both contribute to the mitigation of climate change and adapt to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of soils to society has gained increasing recognition over the past decade, with the potential to contribute to most of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With unprecedented and growing demands for food, water and energy, there is an urgent need for a global effort to address the challenges of climate change and land degradation, whilst protecting soil as a natural resource. In this paper, we identify the contribution of soil science over the past decade to addressing gaps in our knowledge regarding major environmental challenges: climate change, food security, water security, urban development, and ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Continuing to address knowledge gaps in soil science is essential for the achievement of the SDGs. However, with limited time and budget, it is also pertinent to identify effective methods of working that ensure the research carried out leads to real‐world impact. Here, we suggest three strategies for the next decade of soil science, comprising a greater implementation of research into policy, interdisciplinary partnerships to evaluate function trade‐offs and synergies between soils and other environmental domains, and integrating monitoring and modelling methods to ensure soil‐based policies can withstand the uncertainties of the future. Highlights: We highlight the contributions of soil science to five major environmental challenges since 2010.Researchers have contributed to recommendation reports, but work is rarely translated into policy.Interdisciplinary work should assess trade‐offs and synergies between soils and other domains.Integrating monitoring and modelling is key for robust and sustainable soils‐based policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil phosphorus (P) remains an ever‐increasing topic of importance, notably for its key role as a nutrient for driving food production but with parallel concerns over damaging water quality, all against a backdrop of uncertainty of long‐term rock phosphate supplies. Soil is a key interface that holds P and regulates its onward flow to plants or leakage to waters. Often overlooked are a ubiquitous group of P compounds that exist in alternative oxidation states to that of phosphate (+5). Redox cycling, and the behaviour that chemically reduced P compounds exhibit in soils, introduces alternative routes of cycling P that may become more important as the soil system itself alters, especially due to the external pressures of climate change, bringing about critical dynamics in rainfall and runoff and also wetting and drying. All of these factors are known to affect soil redox potential and consequently the oxidation state of soil P. This review considers the chemically reduced species in the P cycle, exploring their sources and sinks, while considering their importance within the primary global biogeochemical cycling of P and how this may be impacted by climate change in the temperate climate of the northern hemisphere. Highlights: This paper addresses how climate change will affect soil phosphorus cycling.This review is novel as it considers the reduced phosphorus forms when discussing P transfer in soils.Climate change is likely to increase prevalence of reduced P and free phosphate in northern hemisphere temperate soils.Phosphorus cycling relies partly on redox P processes. Their importance will increase as climate alters soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban areas, pre‐existing concrete‐based demolition wastes and purposely introduced crushed dolerite have been used to create artificial soils, which capture carbon (C) as carbonate minerals and offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance capture of C in artificial soils through production of glomalin‐related soil protein (GRSP), which facilitates soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and aggregation, and may also enhance precipitation of soil inorganic carbon (SIC). In this paper, we show how different mixtures of dolerite and concrete affect AMF community structure and function, GRSP fractions, and soil organic and inorganic carbon contents. We used nine demonstration plots, 1 m deep, to simulate a constructed urban soil, consisting of different proportions (0, 30, 50, 70 and 100%) of either crushed concrete demolition waste or dolerite quarry fines and sown to a species‐rich meadow mixture, to investigate AMF colonization and community structure (using DNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism), contents of easily‐extractable and difficultly‐extractable GRSP, and both organic and inorganic carbon contents. All artificial soils supported functioning AMF communities with different levels of GRSP, SIC and SOC. The 100% dolerite and 100% concrete soils had higher values of difficultly‐to‐extract GRSP andSOC than pure sand, whereas 100% concrete had higher AMF colonization and SOC than sand. AMF community analysis indicated that high GRSP producing species were abundant in 100% dolerite and 100% concrete. These findings demonstrate that there is potential to incorporate demolition waste or dolerite products into the land to support environmental sustainability and enhance soil C sequestration. Highlights: In constructed soils, crushed concrete and dolerite more effectively enhance GRSP and soil organic and inorganic carbon contents than sand.Use of crushed concrete and dolerite in plant‐growing substrates is a novel way to combat climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in climate patterns are dramatically influencing some agricultural areas. Arid, semi‐arid and coastal agricultural areas are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts on soil salinity. Inventorying and monitoring climate change impacts on salinity are crucial to evaluate the extent of the problem, to recognize trends and to formulate irrigation and crop management strategies that will maintain the agricultural productivity of these areas. Over the past three decades, Corwin and colleagues at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USSL) have developed proximal sensor and remote imagery methodologies for assessing soil salinity at multiple scales. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact climate change has had on selected agricultural areas experiencing weather pattern changes, with a focus on the use of proximal and satellite sensors to assess salinity development. Evidence presented in case studies for Californiaʼs San Joaquin Valley (SJV) and Minnesotaʼs Red River Valley (RRV) demonstrates the utility of these sensor approaches in assessing soil salinity changes due to changes in weather patterns. Agricultural areas are discussed where changes in weather patterns have increased root‐zone soil salinity, particularly in areas with shallow water tables (SJV and RRV), coastal areas with seawater intrusion (e.g., Bangladesh and the Gaza Strip) and water‐scarce areas potentially relying on degraded groundwater as an irrigation source (SJV and Murray‐Darling River Basin). Trends in salinization due to climate change indicate that the infrastructure and protocols to monitor soil salinity from field to regional to national to global scales are needed. Highlights: Climate change will have a negative impact on agriculture, particularly in arid regions.Proximal/remote sensors are useful to assess climate change impact on soil salinity across scales.Salt‐water intrusion, shallow water tables and degraded water reuse will increase soil salinity.Infrastructure and protocols to monitor soil salinity across multiple scales are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: For the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the British Society of Soil Science, this short paper explores the idea that research on soil organic matter has remained a central theme within soil science over the past 70 years, albeit with changing emphasis and application. The number of publications on soil organic matter has increased greatly in recent decades; for example, there were almost 35 000 journal papers with this theme in the decade 2007–2016. Several topics in research on soil organic matter, such as soil fertility, have endured for a number of decades, with publications found on soil organic matter and fertility in the decade 1947–1956. A search with other keywords occurring with soil, such as climate change, biodiversity, fertility, quality, health and security, showed that several topics did not appear before the 1970s and 1980s, but since then the sub‐topics and applications have diversified. Carbon is a keyword that has become more associated with publications on soil organic matter; carbon is in over half of soil organic matter publications of the last decade. A closer examination of research on agricultural soil carbon sequestration since 1990 reveals that the focus of papers in the literature has changed over this period. A closer examination of papers on modelling shows that the next generation of soil organic matter models is developing from pseudo first‐order decay models using conceptual pools and prescribed controls of turnover time to vertically resolved, microbially explicit models representing mineral surface and plant interactions. Given its higher policy profile during the last 2 years, research on soil organic matter and soil carbon sequestration is predicted to have a bright future. Highlights: The number of publications on soil organic matter has increased greatly in recent decades. Soil fertility research has endured for many decades, whereas other topics have diversified. Soil organic matter has been increasingly associated with carbon, which has changed the focus of papers since 1990. Expanding policy attention to soil organic matter research during the last 2 years suggests a bright future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the suitability of the ECOSSE model to estimate soil heterotrophic respiration ( Rh) from arable land and short rotation coppices of poplar and willow. Between 2011 and 2013, we measured Rh with automatic closed dynamic chambers on root exclusion plots at one site in the UK (willow, mixed commercial genotypes of Salix spp.) and two sites in Italy (arable and poplar, Populus × Canadensis Moench, Oudemberg genotype), and compared these measured fluxes to simulated values of Rh with the ECOSSE model. Correlation coefficients ( r) between modelled and measured monthly Rh data were strong and significant, with a range between 0.81 and 0.96 for all three types of vegetation. There was no significant error and bias in the model for any site. The model was able to predict seasonal trends in Rh at all three sites even though it occasionally underestimated the flux values during warm weather in spring and summer. Because of the strong correlation between the measured and modelled values, it is unlikely that underestimation of the flux is the result of missing processes in the model. Therefore, further detailed monitoring of Rh is needed to modify the model. In this research, a limited set of input data was used to simulate Rh at the three sites. Nevertheless, overall results of the model evaluation suggest that the ECOSSE model simulates soil Rh adequately under all land uses tested and that continuous and direct measurements (such as automatic chambers installed on root-exclusion plots) are a useful tool to test model performance to simulate Rh at the site level. Highlights Model evaluation is crucial to predict soil carbon balance accurately., Modelled and measured heterotrophic respiration were compared for three land uses., The model performed well statistically for all three vegetation types., Modelled heterotrophic respiration should be evaluated by comparison to continuous measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First generation climate-carbon cycle models suggest that climate change will suppress carbon accumulation in soils, and could even lead to a net loss of global soil carbon over the next century. These model results are qualitatively consistent with soil carbon projections published by Jenkinson almost two decades ago. More recently there has been a suggestion that the release of heat associated with soil decomposition, which is neglected in the vast majority of large-scale models, may be critically important under certain circumstances. Models with and without the extra self-heating from microbial respiration have been shown to yield significantly different results. The present paper presents a mathematical analysis of a tipping point or runaway feedback that can arise when the heat from microbial respiration is generated more rapidly than it can escape from the soil to the atmosphere. This 'compost-bomb instability' is most likely to occur in drying organic soils with high porosity covered by an insulating lichen or moss layer. However, the instability is also found to be strongly dependent on the rate of global warming. This paper derives the conditions required to trigger the compost-bomb instability, and discusses the relevance of these to the concept of dangerous rates of climate change. On the basis of simple numerical experiments, rates of long-term warming equivalent to 10°C per century could be sufficient to trigger compost-bomb instability in drying organic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic carbon ( OC) and nitrogen ( N) storage in soil plays an important role in global climate change and in maintaining food security. Pollution of soil with heavy metals has occurred in many parts of the world, but their effects on soil OC and N have not been well addressed. Relevant data were extracted from peer-reviewed journal papers and analysed by a meta-analysis to determine how long-term heavy metal pollution affected soil OC and N status. Plant biomass decreased significantly because heavy metals in soil decreased soil OC and N concentrations by 5.0 and 17.9%, respectively, but increased the C/N ratio by 5.1%. The largest reductions in soil OC and N concentrations were in soil more strongly polluted by metals. The changes in soil OC and N with metal pollution varied with climatic conditions. More substantial decreases in OC and N concentrations were likely to occur in polluted soil with large background contents of OC and low pH. Overall, heavy metals were linked to greater reductions in soil OC and N concentrations in natural ecosystems than in agro-ecosystems. These results provided a quantitative evaluation of the effects of heavy metal pollution on the decrease in soil C and N concentrations and, therefore, on global climate change. Further consideration should be given to changes in the cycling of C and N in soil polluted with metals in natural and agro-ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stratigraphic rank of warming, distinguished in marine deposits as 'marine oxygen isotope stage 7' ( MOIS 7) and recorded in terrestrial deposits as a palaeosol, has been discussed for a long time. The purpose of this paper is to describe the climate and environment of the time, determined from palaeopedological and palynological investigations of loess-palaeosol sequences in the peri- and metha- Carpathian zones, and to correlate these sequences with the Pleistocene stratigraphic units. The changes in chemical composition of the deposits were used to reconstruct the processes of chemical weathering and translocation of mobile elements during pedogenesis in three sections ( Orzechowce, Galych and Velykyi Glybochok). The variability of the mean annual temperature and precipitation was estimated from the changes of elemental ratios resulting from chemical weathering and vegetation composition. From micromorphological analysis, the stages of palaeosol development and their transformation in cold periods were reconstructed. Pollen analysis carried out for the Velykyi Glyboczok, Maksymivka and Stari Kodaky sites, was used to reconstruct the vegetation cover and the temperature changes of the coldest and warmest months were calculated. The results indicate that the penultimate interglacial period, correlated with MOIS 7, comprised two warming periods separated by a profound cooling period. Warm periods were cooler than the last interglacial and more recent conditions. Vegetation was characterized by the co-occurrence in changing proportions of patches of mixed forests and steppe vegetation. In the cold period, permafrost developed in places and cryogenic structures were formed. Regional differentiation of biotope environments, resulting from the increase in the continental nature of the climate towards the east, occurred during the whole interglacial period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the role of time and late Pleistocene to middle Holocene climate changes in the Somma- Vesuvius volcano foothill (southern Italy) is investigated with a multidisciplinary approach. Four volcanic soils inter-layered between five well-known and well-dated primary tephra layers were characterized. Chronological constraints were provided by the pyroclastic layers identified in the field ( Pomici di Base, Pomici Verdoline, Agnano Pomici Principali, Mercato and Avellino), ranging between 22 and 3.8 thousand years (ka) before present (BP). These represent products of explosive eruptions of Somma- Vesuvius and the Phlegrean Fields. Another pyroclastic layer ( Agnano Monte Spina) from the Phlegrean Fields was also identified, and other ash layers previously unknown in the Somma- Vesuvius stratigraphy. These were characterized with SEM-EDS analyses, and correlated with other eruptions from the Phlegrean Fields ( Soccavo 4-5 and Tufi Biancastri) around 12 and 21 ka BP, respectively, thus resulting in further time constraints for phases of soil development. A detailed characterization of the four pedons integrated morphological, physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological analyses. Soil features were interpreted in terms of dominant genetic processes and environmental conditions. The extent of soil development, assessed with pedogenetic indices and the degree of weathering of primary pumices, was only in part consistent with time-spans of soil formation, suggesting a more important role of climate than soil age. The different extents of expression of andic properties, pumice weathering and varying clay mineralogy allowed us to relate changes to the main climatic phases that occurred during the late Pleistocene to the mid Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]