ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9746-5191
Current Organisation
Universidad de Sevilla
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Conservation and Biodiversity | Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing | Ecosystem Function | Environmental Science and Management | Ecological Applications | Environmental Management
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Ecosystem Assessment and Management at Regional or Larger Scales | Sparseland, Permanent Grassland and Arid Zone Soils | Rehabilitation of Degraded Mining Environments | Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity at Regional or Larger Scales |
Related Links
Publications
Editorial: Fire in the environment
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
Reconditioning Degraded Mine Site Soils With Exogenous Soil Microbes: Plant Fitness and Soil Microbiome Outcomes
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 10-07-2019
Soil native microbes and multi-species planting for restoring soil function in dryland rehabilitation
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-03-2020
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU2020-11750
Abstract: & & Global environmental changes and other anthropogenic impacts are rapidly transforming the structure and functioning of ecosystems worldwide. These changes are leading to soil degradation with an estimated 25 % of the global land surface being affected. The need to develop cost-effective large-scale solutions to restore disturbed landscapes becomes imperative to preserve bio ersity and achieve ecosystem functionality and sustainability. As part of a large-scale industry-academia partnership, we have developed a soil research program that aims to build knowledge and design strategies to restore degraded landscapes in Western Australia and other dryland regions worldwide. Within this program, a series of laboratory experiments, glasshouse studies, and field trials, have been conducted over the past six years to advance our knowledge on soil limitations and to provide solutions to enhance soil carbon levels and restore above and belowground bio ersity in restoration programs. These studies include (i) the analysis of the influence of multi-species planting on soil organic carbon and microbial activity and ersity (ii) the evaluation of soil physicochemical and microbiological indicators to assess functionality of restored soils in degraded semiarid ecosystems and (ii) the development of nature-based strategies based on bio-tools (e.g. inoculation of soil biocrust cyanobacteria) to increase soil carbon and enhance overall soil function. In this presentation we will highlight some key findings of these studies that include the benefits of combining erse plant species and using native microbes and organic amendments for increasing soil carbon and promote soil function in reconstructed soil substrates. We will also discuss the potential applicability of these bio-technological approaches in landscape-scale restoration programs.& &
Seed microbial community characterisation and isolation from three species common to fire-prone Australia.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 15-05-2023
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU23-10170
Abstract: Microorganisms called endophytes are passed from parent plants to their offspring and play significant roles in plant growth and development. In recent years, endophytes have gained attention for their ability to help plants withstand stress and have been used in revegetation efforts. However, there is still a lack of understanding about seed endophytes in ecosystems prone to fire, where the dormancy and germination of seeds are affected by various factors that can impact the persistence of plant populations. This gap in knowledge hinders the ability to predict how plant populations will respond to selective pressures and stress caused by climate change. To address this, the present study focused on characterizing seed-borne endophytes in order to understand their potential to enhance germination and growth under stress. Mixed and pure cultures of endophytes were isolated from the fire-prone species Anigozanthos manglesii, Haemodorum planifolium and Haemodorum spicatum, all of which are native to Banksia woodlands in Western Australia and belong to the Haemodoraceae family. The bacterial community composition and ersity of each species were also analyzed using next-generation sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA. This study is unique in examining seed endophytes in fire-prone species and provides a foundation for future research on the relationship between seed microbiome composition, germination success, and seedling vigour.
Assessing the viability of cyanobacteria pellets for application in arid land restoration
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
High-resolution images and drone-based LiDAR reveal striking patterns of vegetation gaps in a wooded spinifex grassland of Western Australia
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-11-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S10980-021-01358-9
Abstract: Vegetation patterns in hummock grasslands of Australia’s arid interior can be very complex. Additionally, the grasslands are interspersed with variable amounts of trees and shrubs. To better understand the spatial arrangement of this vegetation structure, and in particular the unvegetated bare-soil gaps, we analyzed the scale-dependent patterns of gaps, trees, and shrubs. We focused on two size categories of grassland gaps, large gaps ≥ 4 m 2 known as fairy circles (FCs) and small gaps 1 to 4 m 2 , and on trees and shrubs. We mapped four 200 m × 200 m study plots located east of the town of Newman in Western Australia, using drone-based aerial images and LiDAR. The RGB images were converted into binary images and the gaps and woody plants were automatically segmented. The spatial patterns of the four vegetation components were analyzed, as well as the shape properties of the vegetation gaps. The most striking result was that small gaps appeared consistently at about 5 m distance away from the FCs, which are known as the most water-depleted locations in the grassland. The FCs were also rounder than the small gaps and this symmetry underlines their function as an extra source of water for the surrounding matrix vegetation. Trees and shrubs had spatial patterns that were unrelated to FCs, which likely results from their water uptake in deeper sub-soil layers. The consistent distance of small gaps to FCs is further support that the Australian fairy circles are a self-organized vegetation pattern that results from ecohydrological feedbacks.
Benefits of adopting seed-based technologies for rehabilitation in the mining sector
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/BT17154
Abstract: The use of native plant seeds is fundamental to large-scale rehabilitation and the re-establishment of self-sustaining ecosystems after high-impact mining activity has ceased. However, many of the biological attributes of seeds are often overlooked in large-scale rehabilitation programs. Multi-disciplinary, long-term research collaborations are required to improve seed-based mine rehabilitation. In this paper, we review the steps that BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), a large iron ore mining company that operates in the Pilbara bioregion of north-west Western Australia, has taken over the past 9 years to ensure continuous improvement in rehabilitation procedures. We introduce the mining activities that WAIO undertake in the Pilbara, and emphasise specific ex les of how research findings have led to incremental improvements in the seed management cycle, growth media management and mine rehabilitation practices. Specifically, we outline how the implementation of structured seed collection and storage programs has created the capacity to maintain high-quality seed stocks sufficient for 3–5 years of future rehabilitation. Research has documented the prevalence of seed dormancy in the flora ( % of 105 species examined produce dormant seeds), with physical and physiological classes of dormancy most commonly encountered. We discuss the development of seed-treatments such as optimised wet-heat and dry after-ripening that have increased the germination capacity of many previously dormant seed batches. In addition, we highlight how seed enhancement technologies, such as hydro-priming with smoke-derived germination stimulants and polymer seed coating, and a greater understanding of the biological and physical limitations present in the growing environment, have vastly improved seedling emergence performance under field conditions for key framework Triodia species. Ongoing industry support (e.g. construction of a purpose-built rain manipulation shelter) has ensured research in the Pilbara will continue to unpack and resolve the complex challenges associated with seed regeneration of bio erse native plant communities after mining.
Soil, Site, and Management Factors Affecting Cadmium Concentrations in Cacao-Growing Soils
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-06-2020
Abstract: Soil contamination by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) such as Cadmium (Cd), is a major environmental concern because of its potential implications to human health. Cacao-based products have been identified as food sources with relatively high Cd contents. Here, we assessed Cd concentrations of cacao-growing soils in four major agricultural regions with contrasting climates in Peru, one of the main exporters of cacao products worldwide. At each study site (n = 40) a broad range of potential factors affecting Cd concentration in soils, i.e., site, soil and management, were evaluated. Concentrations of Cd ranged between 1.1–3.2 mg kg−1. Mean values per region were below 2.7 mg kg−1, usually established as upper-limit for non-polluted soils. Cadmium concentrations were significantly (p 0.001) higher in sites at higher elevations and in a temperate, drier climate. Cadmium correlated positively with pH (r = 0.57 p 0.05) and was higher (p 0.001) in alluvial sediments and Leptosols. Management factors (cacao variety, cultivation year, management practices) and agroecology did not affect Cd concentrations directly. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering a broad range of both natural and anthropogenic factors to evaluate Cd concentrations in cacao-growing soils and contribute to effective and sustainable cacao production by improving land management and planning.
Historical Perspectives on Soil Mapping and Process Modeling for Sustainable Land Use Management
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Fire Effects on Soil Properties
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
Abstract: Wildland fires are occurring more frequently and affecting more of Earth's surface than ever before. These fires affect the properties of soils and the processes by which they form, but the nature of these impacts has not been well understood. Given that healthy soil is necessary to sustain bio ersity, ecosystems and agriculture, the impact of fire on soil is a vital field of research. Fire Effects on Soil Properties brings together current research on the effects of fire on the physical, biological and chemical properties of soil. Written by over 60 international experts in the field, it includes ex les from fire-prone areas across the world, dealing with ash, meso and macrofauna, smouldering fires, recurrent fires and management of fire-affected soils. It also describes current best practice methodologies for research and monitoring of fire effects and new methodologies for future research. This is the first time information on this topic has been presented in a single volume and the book will be an important reference for students, practitioners, managers and academics interested in the effects of fire on ecosystems, including soil scientists, geologists, forestry researchers and environmentalists.
Evaluating Soil Threats Under Climate Change Scenarios in the Andalusia Region, Southern Spain
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-03-2015
DOI: 10.1002/LDR.2363
Native bacteria and cyanobacteria can influence seedling emergence and growth of native plants used in dryland restoration
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-10-2022
Abstract: Seed‐based ecosystem restoration has huge potential to restore degraded drylands. However, fewer than 10% of directly sown seeds transition to established seedlings. One of the potential factors restricting plant establishment in degraded soils is the low abundance and ersity of native soil micro‐organisms. In this study, we investigated whether returning indigenous bacteria and cyanobacteria consortia to degraded dryland soils improved seedling emergence, survival and growth of native plants. We inoculated ‘culturable whole soil’ native heterotrophic bacteria and biocrust cyanobacteria in idually and as a mixed inoculant into extruded pellets containing Acacia inaequilatera (Fabaceae) and Triodia epactia (Poaceae) seeds. The pellets were planted in an active minefield for 28 weeks and seedling emergence and total biomass of plants were determined. Cyanobacteria and bacteria inoculants increased the emergence of A. inaequilatera by 55% and 48%, respectively. Seedling emergence in T. epactia was increased by 20% by cyanobacteria but was not increased by bacteria. The only effect of inoculation on seedling survival or mass per surviving seedling in either species was an 11% reduction of the growth of T. epactia seedlings that were inoculated with cyanobacteria. Synthesis and applications : Our results suggest that the benefit of micro‐organisms on plant establishment is both species specific and life stage specific, with particularly strong benefits in the early stages of recruitment . Our experiment was conducted under shade and with additional water, so a worthwhile future direction would be to quantify the effect of inoculation under unmodified field conditions. It would also be worthwhile monitoring the outcomes for longer than 28 weeks. Since seedling emergence is one of the critical challenges in dryland restoration, our study provides direct evidence in the use of native micro‐organisms to potentially improve seedling emergence in seed‐based dryland restoration.
Development of cyanobacterial application methods for soil protection and restoration: case studies in Australian drylands
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-03-2020
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU2020-11907
Abstract: & & Land degradation, as a result of increased soil erosion and loss of fertility among other factors, is currently one of the most serious environmental problems. In recent years, the role of cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts in re-establishing soil function of degraded areas is gaining interest due to the potential of these organisms for soil stabilization and increase of soil fertility. In order to fully exploit the use of cyanobacteria in large-scale restoration of degraded lands, new approaches that facilitate their application must be explored in order to face with the harsh abiotic conditions of these environments. In this presentation, we showcase two different methods for the inoculation of cyanobacteria from soil biocrust in degraded soils of Australian dryland ecosystems: i) direct inoculation of cyanobacteria cultures and ii) incorporation of cyanobacteria within extruded pellets. Three soil native cyanobacterial strains from two representative N-fixing genera (Nostoc and Scytonema) and a non-heterocystous filamentous genus (Leptolyngbya) previously collected from the Pilbara region (north-west Western Australia), were used as inoculum. Then, in a multifactorial microcosm experiment under laboratory conditions, we evaluated the survival and establishment of the cyanobacteria for both methods. For the direct inoculation, cultures of isolated cyanobacteria and a mixture of them were applied as a liquid inoculum directly into a degraded soil from the Pilbara. In the case of application using extruded pellets, fresh cultures of each strain alone and an equal mixed of them were added into a substrate composed of commercial bentonite powder and sand (1:10 weight ratio). The composed solution was extruded through a jerky gun with an extruder nozzle into pellets (1 cm diameter x 2 cm length) and dried at 30& sup& o& /sup& C for 24h. Pellets were then placed on the surface of three different degraded soils representative of Australian drylands: a mine waste from an active mine site in the Pilbara, a degraded soil from the Cobar Peneplain (New South Wales), and a soil from the Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (South Australia). In both experiments, cyanobacteria growth and establishment were monitored. Our results showed that in both treatments cyanobacteria colonize almost the entire Petri dish surface in all treatments. Furthermore, the levels of chlorophyll a (a proxy for cyanobacterial biomass) remained constant on inoculated s les during the study period, suggesting that cyanobacteria survived the pelleting process. In the case of direct inoculation, a decrease of chlorophyll a was observed in the beginning but then it stabilized and started to increase at the final stage of the experiment. This process may be due to the adaptation period of the cyanobacteria in the new environment, which is most progressive in the case of pellets application. Overall, our results showed that cyanobacteria can be successfully applied as a liquid inoculum and incorporated into extruded pellets, quickly colonizing degraded soi substrates. These technologies are ready for further testing and refining through field trials, opening a wide range of opportunities to face with large scale restoration programs.& &
Global maps of soil temperature.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-02-2022
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.16060
Abstract: Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km
Emerging soil microbial-based strategies and seed enhancement technologies for restoring biodiverse degraded ecosystems
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 15-05-2023
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU23-14965
Abstract: Global environmental changes such as drought, intense fire and land degradation are rapidly transforming the structure and functioning of ecosystems worldwide. These changes are leading to a severe loss of above and belowground bio ersity and increased soil degradation. Soil microorganisms control important ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, plant productivity and climate regulation. Thus, microbially assisted conservation and restoration have the potential to reconnect above- and belowground dynamics, creating functional ecosystems that are more resilient to climate change impacts.Our recent research has focused on (i) assessing the responses of soil microbial communities to disturbance, e.g., severe fire, and extractive activities such as mining, and (ii) developing bio inoculants composed of locally sourced soil bacteria from the rhizosphere, and biocrust cyanobacteria, to promote plant growth and soil fertility and enhance ecosystem capacity for global change adaptation. This presentation will showcase some key findings of these studies conducted in contrasting Australian ecosystems (shrubland-grassland in the arid zone, and subtropical/temperate forests). These outcomes include the successful translocation of whole-soil communities for inhibiting weeds, and the effective use of indigenous microbes (rhizobacteria and cyanobacteria combinations) for soil carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, and growth promotion of key arid and temperate plant species. We will also discuss the potential applicability of these approaches through emerging seed enhancement technologies such as biopellets, for landscape-scale conservation and restoration programs in the context of climate change.
Field-Deployed Extruded Seed Pellets Show Promise for Perennial Grass Establishment in Arid Zone Mine Rehabilitation
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 10-12-2020
Abstract: Current methods of mine rehabilitation in the arid zone have a high failure rate at seedling emergence largely due to limited availability of topsoil and low water-holding capacity of alternative growth substrates such as mining overburden and tailings. Further, seedlings have consistently failed to emerge from seeds sown on the soil surface using traditional broadcasting methods. Seed pellets, formed by extruding soil mixtures and seeds into pellets, can potentially increase soil water uptake through enhanced soil-seed contact and thereby improve seedling emergence. We tested an extruded seed pelleting method in a three-factor field experiment (i.e., different pellet-soil mixtures, organic amendments, and simulated rainfall regimes) in north-western Australia. Given the observed lack of seedling emergence from broadcast seeds, the aims of the experiment were to assess: (i) the use of pellets to promote native seedling emergence and establishment and (ii) the soil physico-chemical and microbiological changes that occur with this method of rehabilitation. The effects of pellet-soil mixtures, organic amendment, and rainfall regime on seedling emergence and survival of three native plant species suggest trade-offs among responses. Pellets made with a 1:1 blend of topsoil and a loamy-sand waste material had the highest seedling emergence, while 100% topsoil pellets had lower emergence probably because of hardsetting. Triodia pungens (a native grass) survived to the end of the experiment while Indigofera monophylla and Acacia inaequilatera (native shrubs) emerged but did not survive. Adding an organic amendment in the extruded pellet inhibited Triodia seedling emergence but increased soil microbial activity. Overall, extruded pellets made from a 1:1 blend showed promise for the establishment of Triodia seeds and beneficially, incorporates mine waste overburden and lesser amounts of topsoil. Further research is needed to improve pelleting production and to test the applicability of the method at scale, for different species and other ecosystem types.
Climate change impacts on soil organic carbon stocks of Mediterranean agricultural areas: A case study in Northern Egypt
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
Indigenous soil bacteria as bioinoculants for promoting seedling growth of native plants in arid land rehabilitation
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-03-2020
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU2020-13204
Abstract: & & The depletion and degradation of native plant communities is a major threat to the long-term health and functionality of many ecosystems worldwide. Some of the current challenges in mine rehabilitation programs are poor recruitment and establishment of native plants. Indigenous soil bacteria, including cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts, have shown promise as bio-fertilizers as they may promote germination and enhance seedling growth of native plants in reconstructed soil profiles. In this research, we assessed the potential of bioinoculants composed by locally sourced soil bacteria from the rhizosphere and cyanobacteria from biocrusts, to promote germination and growth of native arid plants from Western Australia and New South Wales (Australia). In idual cyanobacteria species (e.g. Leptolyngbya sp, Nostoc sp. and Microcoleus sp), a cyanobacteria mix of these three species, and enrichments of soil bacteria from the rhizosphere were considered as inoculum for seed bio-priming. Overall, our results showed that lower concentrations of cyanobacteria inoculants (1 g l& sup& -1& /sup& ) are more effective for promoting seedling growth than highly concentrated inoculum (5 g l& sup& -1& /sup& ). The effects of the cyanobacterial/bacterial inoculants were specific to each plant species. However, biopriming seeds with soil bacteria and the cyanobacteria mix resulted in three times larger roots in hummock grasses (e.g. Triodia epactia) compared to the control treatment. We also identified the bio-active components or metabolites produced by targeted cyanobacteria species through GC/MS analyses. Our results showed that some of the cyanobacterial inoculants produced substances chemically like plant hormones such as auxins, i.e. indole-3-acetic acid. The positive effects of the native soil bacteria and cyanobacteria inoculants on native plants could be related to their ability of promoting nutrient bioavailability, improving stress resistance, protection against other microbes, and production of substances that may act as hormones. The findings of this research can allow selecting the most effective bio-active inoculants for application in seed-based land rehabilitation programs.& &
Climate change impacts on agricultural suitability and yield reduction in a Mediterranean region
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Soil organic amendments for restoring degraded drylands: strategies, recommendations and challenges for large-scale application
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-03-2020
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU2020-11867
Abstract: & & Soil is an essential and non-renewable resource in natural and agricultural ecosystems with extremely slow formation and regeneration potential. In dryland areas, many ecosystems are being seriously affected by degradation processes because of an excessive use of agro-chemicals, deep tillage and intensive irrigation, among many other factors. The decline in soil organic matter is also becoming a major cause of soil degradation, particularly in dryland regions where low soil fertility cannot always maintain a sustainable production. The use of organic amendments in ecosystem restoration programs can be an effective technique for promoting soil restoration processes in degraded drylands and several studies have shown their bene& #64257 ts for improving soil physical, chemical and biological properties. This recovery is a result of the rapid increment of organic matter and clay contents in the soil in the short term. In the long-term, soil structure becomes more stable and water holding capacity, permeability and infiltration are improved, whereas surface runoff and erosion are reduced. Nevertheless, there are many research gaps in the knowledge of the effects of climatic conditions on their application, as well as the adequate types of amendment and doses and decomposition rates. In this presentation, we evaluate the role of organic amendments as an effective strategy in dryland restoration, highlighting the effects of different amendment types, doses and application rates. We will speci& #64257 cally address: (1) type of amendments and bene& #64257 ts arising from their use, (2) application methods and more appropriate doses and, (3) potential risk derivates for their application. We also showcase some recent case studies using organic amendments in degraded dryland areas from Spain and Australia.& &
Plant species and season influence soil physicochemical properties and microbial function in a semi-arid woodland ecosystem
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-09-2020
Organic carbon stocks in Mediterranean soil types under different land uses (Southern Spain)
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-11-2012
Abstract: Abstract. Soil C sequestration through changes in land use and management is one of the sustainable and long-term strategies to mitigate climate change. This research explores and quantifies the role of soil and land use as determinants of the ability of soils to store C along Mediterranean systems. Detailed studies of soil organic C (SOC) dynamics are necessary in order to identify factors determining fluctuations and intensity of changes. In this study, SOC contents from different soil and land use types have been investigated in Andalusia (Southern Spain). We have used soil information from different databases, as well as land use digital maps, climate databases and digital elevation models. The average SOC content for each soil control section (0–25, 25–50 and 50–75 cm) was determined and SOC stocks were calculated for each combination of soil and land use type, using soil and land cover maps. The total organic C stocks in soils of Andalusia is 415 Tg for the upper 75 cm, with average values ranging from 15.9 Mg C ha−1 (Solonchaks under "arable land") to 107.6 Mg C ha−1 (Fluvisols from "wetlands"). Up to 55% of SOC accumulates in the top 25 cm of soil (229.7 Tg). This research constitutes a preliminary assessment for modelling SOC stock under scenarios of land use and climate change.
Post‐fire restoration with contour‐felled log debris increases early recruitment of Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii) in Mediterranean forests
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-02-2021
DOI: 10.1111/REC.13338
Abstract: Post‐fire environmental conditions can heavily influence the natural regeneration of pine species in Mediterranean forests. Therefore, enhancing post‐fire recovery of pine species is fundamental for effective ecological restoration of Mediterranean forests. In this study, the effects of a post‐fire restoration treatment on the seedling emergence and survival of Spanish black pine ( Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii ) were investigated under a treatment consisting of manual cut of burnt tree canopies placed on the soil surface with their tree branches, following contour lines (contour‐felled log debris, CFD) in comparison with a control site at plot scale. Both CFD and control plots were tested on three slope gradients and two experimental conditions, that is, protected vs. non‐protected seeds. The initial seedling recruitment of Spanish black pine was improved by CFD treatment and seed protection, specifically through increased survival of emergent seedlings by about 10 and 15 times, respectively, compared to control. Seedling emergence was not significantly different between the treatments or controls however, the highest seedling emergence in the study (18.9 ± 14.9%) was recorded under the least severe drought conditions. The study demonstrates that post‐fire CFD and seed protection treatments can be favorable for supporting ecological restoration of these pine forests. However, the environmental conditions are important drivers for the success of these strategies. Since droughts are expected to be more frequent in the upcoming years, post‐fire management strategies that include treatments like CFD and seed protection can be useful in the ecological restoration of Mediterranean pine forests.
Supplementary material to "Climate and soil factors influencing seedling recruitment of plant species used for dryland restoration"
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 13-04-2016
Native-plant amendments and topsoil addition enhance soil function in post-mining arid grasslands
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2017.11.219
Abstract: One of the most critical challenges faced in restoration of disturbed arid lands is the limited availability of topsoil. In post-mining restoration, alternative soil substrates such as mine waste could be an adequate growth media to alleviate the topsoil deficit, but these materials often lack appropriate soil characteristics to support the development and survival of seedlings. Thus, addition of exogenous organic matter may be essential to enhance plant survival and soil function. Here, we present a case study in the arid Pilbara region (north-west Western Australia), a resource-rich area subject to intensive mining activities. The main objective of our study was to assess the effects of different restoration techniques such as soil reconstruction by blending available soil materials, sowing different compositions of plant species, and addition of a locally abundant native soil organic amendment (Triodia pungens biomass) on: (i) seedling recruitment and growth of Triodia wiseana, a dominant grass in Australian arid ecosystems, and (ii) soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of reconstructed soils, including microbial activity, total organic C, total N, and C and N mineralisation. The study was conducted in a 12-month multifactorial microcosms setting in a controlled environment. Our results showed that the amendment increased C and N contents of re-made soils, but these values were still lower than those obtained in the topsoil. High microbial activity and C mineralisation rates were found in the amended waste that contrasted the low N mineralisation but this did not translate into improved emergence or survival of T. wiseana. These results suggest a short- or medium-term soil N immobilisation caused by negative priming effect of fresh un-composted amendment on microbial communities. We found similar growth and survival rates of T. wiseana in topsoil and a blend of topsoil and waste (50:50) which highlights the importance of topsoil, even in a reduced amount, for plant establishment in arid land restoration.
Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Organic Carbon Stocks in Mediterranean Soils (1956–2007)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-12-2012
DOI: 10.1002/LDR.2194
Climate and soil factors influencing seedling recruitment of plant species used for dryland restoration
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-06-2016
Abstract: Abstract. Land degradation affects 10–20 % of drylands globally. Intensive land use and management, large-scale disturbances such as extractive operations, and global climate change, have contributed to degradation of these systems worldwide. Restoring these damaged environments is critical to improving ecosystem services and functions, conserve bio ersity, and contribute to climate resilience, food security, and landscape sustainability. Here, we present a case study on plant species of the mining intensive semi-arid Pilbara region in Western Australia that examines the effects of climate and soil factors on the restoration of drylands. We analysed the effects of a range of rainfall and temperature scenarios and the use of alternative soil materials on seedling recruitment of key native plant species from this area. Experimental studies were conducted in controlled environment facilities where conditions simulated those found in the Pilbara. Soil from topsoil (T) stockpiles and waste materials (W) from an active mine site were mixed at different proportions (100 % T, 100 % W, and two mixes of topsoil and waste at 50 : 50 and 25 : 75 ratios) and used as growth media. Our results showed that seedling recruitment was highly dependent on soil moisture and emergence was generally higher in the topsoil, which had the highest available water content. In general, responses to the climate scenarios differed significantly among the native species which suggest that future climate scenarios of increasing drought might affect not only seedling recruitment but also ersity and structure of native plant communities. The use of waste materials from mining operations as growth media could be an alternative to the limited topsoil. However, in the early stages of plant establishment successful seedling recruitment can be challenging in the absence of water. These limitations could be overcome by using soil amendments but the cost associated to these solutions at large landscape scales needs to be assessed and proven to be economically feasible.
Native bacteria and cyanobacteria consortia improve seedling emergence and establishment in dryland restoration
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-10412
Abstract: & & Seed-based ecosystem restoration has huge potential to restore degraded lands but currently less than 10 % of directly sown seeds successfully establish in drylands. Soil microbial communities are important for improving plant establishment in degraded land. However, current methods such as soil translocation can potentially disturb the donor site. In this study, we investigated a novel non-destructive method for improving seedling growth of native plants used in restoration through seed-soil-microbial pelleting. We assessed seedling emergence and survival of & em& Triodia epactia& /em& and & em& Acacia inaequilatera& /em& seeds inoculated with whole soil bacteria and cyanobacteria consortia retrieved and isolated from a pristine ecosystem. A field experiment was set-up in a 35m x 40m purpose-built rain exclusion shelter that contained reconstructed soil profiles typically encountered in mine rehabilitation programs of Australia& #8217 s arid north-west. We hypothesized that inoculated seed-soil pellets would improve seedling emergence and survival of these species. After three weeks of planting, seedling emergence in microbially inoculated & em& Acacia& /em& & em& inaequilatera& /em& and & em& Triodia epactia& /em& were 48% and 55% higher than non-inoculated seeds in bacteria and cyanobacteria, respectively. We also tested whether the use of cyanobacteria consortia as inocula promoted higher seedling emergence over whole soil bacteria. We found that there was no significant difference in seedling emergence between the microbial taxa. We show that, improving the ersity of soil microorganisms improves seedling emergence and the seed-soil pellet method used is viable to improve seed-based restoration outcomes.& & & & & strong& Key words& /strong& : Seed-based restoration, microbial community, cyanobacteria, bacteria community, seedling emergence.& &
Modelling soil organic carbon stocks in global change scenarios: a CarboSOIL application
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-07-2013
DOI: 10.5194/BGD-10-10997-2013
Abstract: Abstract. Global climate change, as a consequence of the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 concentration, may significantly affect both soil organic C storage and soil capacity for C sequestration. In this research we develop a methodology to predict soil organic C (SOC) contents and changes under global change scenarios. CarboSOIL model is a new component of the land evaluation decision support system MicroLEIS, which was designed to assist decision makers to face specific agro-ecological problems. CarboSOIL, developed as a GIS tool to predict SOC contents at different depths, was previously trained and tested in two Mediterranean areas: Andalusia (SW Spain) and Valencia (E Spain). The model was applied under different IPPC scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) according to different global climate models (BCCR-BCM2, CNRMCM3 and ECHAM5) and output data were linked to spatial datasets (soil and land use) to quantify SOC stocks. CarboSOIL model has proved its ability to predict the short-, medium- and long-term trends (2040s, 2070s and 2100s) of SOC dynamics and sequestration under projected future scenarios of climate change. Results showed an overall trend towards decreasing of SOC stocks in the upper soil sections (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm) for most soil types and land uses, but predicted SOC stocks tend to increase in the deeper soil section (50–75 cm). Soil types as Arenosols, Planosols and Solonchaks and land uses as "permanent crops" and "open spaces with little or no vegetation" would be severely affected by climate change with large decreases of SOC stocks, in particular under the medium-high emission scenario A2 by 2100. The information developed in this study might support decision-making in land management and climate adaptation strategies in Mediterranean regions and the methodology could be applied to other Mediterranean areas with available soil, land use and climate data.
Soil quality indicators to assess functionality of restored soils in degraded semiarid ecosystems
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-05-2016
DOI: 10.1111/REC.12368
Application of CarboSOIL model to predict the effects of climate change on soil organic carbon stocks in agro-silvo-pastoral Mediterranean management systems
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
Seed biopriming at different concentrations to assess the effects of Cyanobacteria on germination and seedling performance of keystone arid species
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-07-2023
DOI: 10.1002/SAE2.12049
Abstract: Biocrust cyanobacteria have a large potential as biofertilizers for restoring degraded ecosystems because of their ability to improve soil nutrition and stabilisation, and to produce metabolites such as phytohormones to enhance plant growth. However, important aspects regarding the effects of cyanobacteria on native plants, such as metabolite production or concentration of inoculants, remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of cyanobacteria, on the germination and seedling growth of keystone plant species used in dryland restoration. We hypothesised that the studied inoculant would improve germination and seedling growth rates, with specific effects associated with the inoculant's concentration and metabolomic profiles. We bioprimed seeds of four native plant species, using a cyanobacterial inoculant with different proportions of Nostoc and Leptolyngbya at two different concentrations. We recorded germination, measured seedling growth, and determined the corrected vigour for each treatment and species. Metabolites produced by the cyanobacterial inoculant were assessed to identify plant growth hormones potentially driving any effects. There was a clear positive effect on the total germination of Triodia epactia and Triodia wiseana , but negative impacts for Senna notabilis and Grevillea wickhamii . There were also positive effects on root growth, but only for T. epactia , with negative or neutral impacts on the root and shoot growth of other species tested. We detected phytohormones, salicylic acid and indole‐3‐acetic acid, that were produced by our cyanobacteria inoculant, which are strongly linked to positive effects in early plant growth stages, but also known to inhibit growth when in higher concentrations. The positive effects of the biopriming protocol used are not uniform and highlight the need to improve our understanding of the effects provided both from different consortia and the concentrations applied when inoculating. There is a very high value in improving restoration outcomes for native vegetation communities in arid and semi‐arid regions.
How will climate change impact Australian drylands and what is the role of plant species in modulating these responses
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 27-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-3645
Abstract: & & & span& A recent global study showed that there was a large discrepancy between air temperature and soil temperature with variances of up to 10 degrees depending on ground cover and soil moisture. Vegetation cover increases soil moisture and decreases soil temperature, and vegetation types have shown significant differences in their impact on soil respiration. Australian vegetation has evolved closely with the soil biota and the influence of these organisms likely has a strong role in dictating vegetation type. Exploring the correlation of vegetation and soil microbes under climate change would have two-way benefits. Identifying microbes which improve soil functionality under climate change could improve revegetation strategies. Understanding how vegetation cover might buffer the impacts of climate change on soil functionality could enable targeted management for facilitating ecosystem resilience and resistance to climate change. & & /span& & &
Climate and soil factors influencing seedling recruitment of plant species used for dryland restoration
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 13-04-2016
DOI: 10.5194/SOIL-2016-25
Abstract: Abstract. Land degradation affects 10–20 % of drylands globally. Intensive land use and management, large scale disturbances such as extractive operations, and global climate change, have contributed to degradation of these systems worldwide. Restoring these damaged environments is critical to improve ecosystem services and functions, conserve bio ersity, and contribute to climate resilience, food security, and landscape sustainability at local, regional and global scales. Here, we present a case study on plant species of the mining intensive semi-arid Pilbara region in Western Australia that examines the effects of climate and soil factors on the restoration of drylands. We analysed the effects of a range of climate scenarios (rainfall and temperature) and the use of alternative soil materials on seedling recruitment of key native plant species from this area. Experimental studies were conducted in controlled environment facilities where conditions simulated those found in the Pilbara. Air temperature and soil moisture were modified and monitored routinely. Soil from topsoil (T) stockpiles and waste materials (W) from an active mine site were mixed at different proportions (100 % T, 100 % W, and two mixes of topsoil and waste at 50 : 50 (TW50 : 50) and 25 : 75 (TW25 : 75) ratios) and used as growth media. Our results showed that seedling recruitment of the five native plants was highly dependent on soil moisture. Emergence across the five plant species was higher in the topsoil growth media, which had the highest available water content compared to the other soil materials. In general, responses to the climate scenarios differed significantly among the native species which suggest that future climate scenarios of increasing drought might affect not only seedling recruitment but also ersity and structure of native plant communities. The use of growth media such as waste materials from mining operations could be an alternative to the limited topsoil. However, at early plant stages the use of these alternative substrates that are depleted of organic compounds can be challenging for successful seedling recruitment in the absence of water. These limitations could be overcome by using soil amendments but the cost associated to these solutions at large landscape scales needs to be adressed.
Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded land in arid and
semiarid
environments: Editorial
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-09-2020
DOI: 10.1002/LDR.3640
Evaluation of forest ecosystem services in Mediterranean areas. A regional case study in South Spain
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
Modeling Agricultural Suitability Along Soil Transects Under Current Conditions and Improved Scenario of Soil Factors
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Climate and land use changes effects on soil organic carbon stocks in a Mediterranean semi-natural area
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.11.111
Abstract: A thorough knowledge of the effects of climate and land use changes on the soil carbon pool is critical to planning effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation in future scenarios of global climate and land use change. In this study, we used CarboSOIL model to predict changes in soil organic carbon stocks in a semi-natural area of Southern Spain in three different time horizons (2040, 2070, 2100), considering two general circulation models (BCM2 and ECHAM5) and three IPCC scenarios (A1b, A2, B2). The effects of potential land use changes from natural vegetation (Mediterranean evergreen oak woodland) to agricultural land (olive grove and cereal) on soil organic carbon stocks were also evaluated. Predicted values of SOC contents correlated well those measured (R2 ranging from 0.71 at 0-25cm to 0.97 at 50-75cm) showing the efficiency of the model. Results showed substantial differences among time horizons, climate and land use scenarios and soil depth with larger decreases of soil organic carbon stocks in the long term (2100 time horizon) and particularly in olive groves. The combination of climate and land use scenarios (in particular conversion from current 'dehesa' to olive groves) resulted in yet higher losses of soil organic carbon stocks, e.g. -30, -15 and -33% in the 0-25, 25-50 and 50-75cm sections respectively. This study shows the importance of soil organic carbon stocks assessment under both climate and land use scenarios at different soil sections and point towards possible directions for appropriate land use management in Mediterranean semi natural areas.
Short-term effects of experimental fire for a soil under eucalyptus forest (SE Australia)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
Inorganic soil amendments alter seedling performance of native plant species in post-mining arid zone rehabilitation
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JENVMAN.2019.04.022
Abstract: Rehabilitation of degraded drylands is challenged by environmental and anthropogenic constraints, such as limited availability of locally-sourced topsoil and poor quality alternative soil substrates. Current rehabilitation practices, at times, utilise inorganic soil amendments to improve the physicochemical and biological characteristics of reconstructed soil profiles. These approaches may be appropriate for dryland rehabilitation, but there is limited research available regarding the benefits of using these amendments. Here, we present a study in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, an arid landscape subject to intensive mining that currently uses inorganic soil amendments (gypsum and urea) in post-mining rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of these amendments to (1) promote seed germination, seedling emergence and seedling growth across five plant species and, (2) re-instate soil quality in mine waste substrates. A series of glasshouse experiments assessed eight application combinations of these amendments in two alternative substrates and compared these to unamended substrates and topsoil. Soil amendments had a limited influence on seed germination, were detrimental to seedling emergence and resulted in increased seedling mortality. Mortality in the waste ranged from 2 to 61% but increased to 7-92% in amended waste. Seedling growth improved with high doses of amendments in waste, with a 1.3-5.6-fold increase across all plant species. Soil quality was relatively unaffected by amendments with soil nitrogen ranging from 0.01 to 0.08%, organic carbon from 0.01 to 0.12% and soil microbial activity from 2.3 to 2.4 ppm-CO
Mulching, effects on soil physical properties
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 2011
Soil respiration dynamics in fire affected semi-arid ecosystems: Effects of vegetation type and environmental factors
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.02.086
Abstract: Soil respiration (Rs) is the second largest carbon flux in terrestrial ecosystems and therefore plays a crucial role in global carbon (C) cycling. This biogeochemical process is closely related to ecosystem productivity and soil fertility and is considered as a key indicator of soil health and quality reflecting the level of microbial activity. Wildfires can have a significant effect on Rs rates and the magnitude of the impacts will depend on environmental factors such as climate and vegetation, fire severity and meteorological conditions post-fire. In this research, we aimed to assess the impacts of a wildfire on the soil CO
A multi-scale study of Australian fairy circles using soil excavations and drone-based image analysis
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1002/ECS2.2620
Cyanobacteria as a Nature-Based Biotechnological Tool for Restoring Salt-Affected Soils
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-09-2020
Abstract: Soil salinization poses an important threat to terrestrial ecosystems and is expected to increase as a consequence of climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Conventional methods such as salt-leaching or application of soil amendments, or nature-based solutions (NBSs) such as phytoremediation, have been widely adopted with contrasting results. The use of cyanobacteria for improving soil conditions has emerged as a novel biotechnological tool for ecosystem restoration due to the unique features of these organisms, e.g., ability to fix carbon and nitrogen and promote soil stabilisation. Cyanobacteria distribute over a wide range of salt concentrations and several species can adapt to fluctuating salinity conditions. Their application in agricultural saline soil remediation has been demonstrated, mostly in laboratory studies, but there is a lack of research regarding their use in natural ecosystems restoration. In this article, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on cyanobacteria in the context of ecosystem restoration. Ex les of the application of cyanobacteria in alleviating salt-stress in plants and soils are presented. Furthermore, we acknowledge gaps regarding the extensive application of cyanobacteria in salt-affected soils remediation and discuss the challenges of NBSs in salt-affected soils restoration.
To whom the burden of soil degradation and management concerns
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2019
Soil microbial responses to passive restoration strategies in drylands: a temporal comparison of soil biodiversity and ecosystem function
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-16398
Abstract: & & Arid and semi-arid (from hereafter dryland) ecosystems cover 70% of Australia, with climate change set to increase this area through desertification. Increased temperatures and reduced water availability are compounded through agricultural overgrazing. This degradation and habitat loss has led to bio ersity loss which disrupts the biogeochemical cycles that maintain these environments, creating a negative feedback loop, and making restoration efforts largely unsuccessful. With soil microbes being important drivers in dryland systems, understanding how different stressors impact the soil biome is needed to improve conservation and restoration efforts and promote resilience and resistance to climate change. Particularly lacking is understanding of these interactions over time.& & & & Fowlers Gap Research Station is the only research station in the arid zone of Australia and was a working sheep station until 2019. Due to agricultural overgrazing the site is largely degraded however exclusion zones have been set up on the property ranging in time from 3 years to 40 years. These exclusion zones provide a powerful comparison for the impact of soil degradation on drylands. To investigate the impact of overgrazing on the soil bio ersity and ecosystem functions, we selected three of the exclusion zones paired with three degraded sites directly outside of the exclusion zone to assess their microbial composition and functional ersity, along with soil physicochemical properties. We aim to build 16S rRNA gene libraries and co-relate them with the soil chemical variables, to assess the impact of overgrazing on these microbial communities and the ecosystem functions they provide. This knowledge can be used to improve monitoring of conservation and restoration initiatives by providing environmental indicators for soil health over time.& &
Strategic Management of Grazing Grassland Systems to Maintain and Increase Organic Carbon in Soils
Publisher: IntechOpen
Date: 22-07-2020
Coccidiosis in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Australia: Pathogenesis, spatial and temporal distribution, and climate-related determinants of disease outbreaks
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Date: 31-03-2020
DOI: 10.7589/2019-05-115
Abstract: An epizootic of coccidiosis in free-ranging green turtles (
Bio-priming seeds with cyanobacteria: effects on native plant growth and soil properties
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-11-2020
DOI: 10.1111/REC.13040
Biocrust cyanobacteria inoculants biomineralize gypsum and preserve indigenous bacterial communities in dryland topsoil
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Fire in the environment: effects on soil functions and ecosystem services in a changing world
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 23-03-2020
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU2020-11848
Abstract: & & Fire is an essential element of the environment and a vital force for shaping landscapes all around the world. It has a critical role as driver of natural ecosystem processes and many plant communities are fire dependent aros the globe. However, although fire is a natural and regular component of some biomes in the Earth& #8217 s systems, it can become a destructive force when natural ecosystems are disturbed, fire is introduced at a rate not previously experienced, and recovery to a pre-fire state is not possible. Thus, assesing the potentially harmful environmental impacts of fire and building the underlying knowledge required to successfully manage fire makes are crucial in order to understand the role of fire in all its different dimensions. Over the past year, fires in California in the United States and in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil have grabbed the world& #8217 s attention. The increased rates of fire events in some of these areas, mostly attributed to land degradation processes, have led to international concern. More recently, several bushfires all around Australia have had dramatic impacts in the environment with 10 million hectares burned so far, including large portions of the natural environment. These unprecedented fires are predicted to affect to a large extent the soil characteristics, processes and function in several ecosystems. In this presentation, we highlight some of the most recent research published during the last year on the effects of fire on soil functions and the provision of soil ecosystem services. We also showcase some of the possible approaches to protect and conserve soil ecosystems affected by extreme fires and propose available strategies for post-fire management.& &
Spatial Gradients of Intensity and Persistence of Soil Water Repellency Under Different Forest Types in Central Mexico
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-06-2017
DOI: 10.1002/LDR.2544
Teaching and enriching younger generations perception of soil ecosystems and dryland restoration through soil biocrusts
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-8943
Abstract: & & Soils are connected to key ecosystems services such as biomass production, nutrients supplying and bio ersity conservation. Critical to human life and nature preservation, soil health, sustainable management, and restoration are central topics to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations in 2015. Despite the active roles of the scientific community, land planners, and stakeholders for advancing science and developing applications to achieve global restoration goals, there is a lack of public perception in relation to the importance of soils and their roles in ecosystem conservation and restoration. For this reason, communicating these concepts to younger generations can be critical to promote actions for soil conservation and restoration in society. In this context, we used the concepts of soil biology and ecosystem functions, with a particular focus on soil biocrust communities, as the central topics for our laboratory& #8217 s contribution to The L& #8217 Or& #233 al Girls in Science Forum (LGSF) 2018 and 2019. Biological crusts communities (also known as biocrusts) are not commonly known by the public but are extremely important for soil establishment, succession, nutrition, and control of abiotic stress. & The LGSF program encompasses a collaboration between L& #8217 Or& #233 al Australia and the University of New South Wales, aiming to raise the profile of science as an attractive career option for them in the future. With a large number of young students attending this event, we took advantage of this opportunity to teach them about soil sustainability and highlight biocrusts& #8217 structure and composition, as well as sensitiveness to anthropogenic disturbances, and their potential for land restoration. The presentation was ided into stations or stands, starting with a showcase of degraded lands in Australia due to mining activities, and subsequently introducing real biocrusts portions while underlining important functions, components, and structure. Lastly, we showed them & #8216 alive& #8217 cyanobacterial communities, which are the primary colonizers of biocrusts, and can be applied combined with seed enhancement technologies to improve restoration. Seeds of endemic plants from Australia and bio primed with cyanobacteria were presented together with the contrast treatment (control), proving, and emphasizing the ability of cyanobacteria for producing plant growth hormones and contributing to revegetation. Finally, cyanobacteria-made pellets were exposed in Petri dishes together with pictures of regions successfully colonized after their introduction. The whole pedagogical experience was enriched with matching games, where the girls were able to recognize Australian endemic trees and main cyanobacteria related to soil structure and nutrition. This activity pointed to the importance of preserving soil biological communities in the context of land restoration, to ensure the provision of key ecosystems services provided by soils.& &
Insights from landowners on Australia's Black Summer bushfires: impacts on soil and vegetation, perceptions, and behaviours
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-10776
Abstract: & & The 2019-2020 bushfire season (the Black Summer) in Australia was unprecedented in its breadth and severity as well as the disrupted resources and time dedicated to studying it.& Right after one of the most extreme fire seasons on record had hit Australia, a once-in-a-century global pandemic, COVID-19, occurred. This pandemic caused world-wide lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021 that prevented travel and field work, thus hindering researchers from assessing damage done by the Black Summer bushfires. Early assessments show that the bushfires on Kangaroo Island, South Australia caused declines in soil nutrients and ground coverage up to 10 months post-fire, indicating higher risk of soil erosion and fire-induced land degradation at this location. In parallel to the direct impacts the Black Summer bushfires had on native vegetation and soil, the New South Wales Nature Conservation Council observed a noticeable increase in demand for fire management workshops in 2020. What was observed of fires and post-fire outcomes on soil and vegetation from the 2019-2020 bushfire season that drove so many citizens into action? In collaboration with the New South Wales Nature Conservation Council and Rural Fire Service through the Hotspots Fire Project, we will be surveying and interviewing landowners across New South Wales to collect their observations and insights regarding the Black Summer. By engaging landowners, this project aims to answer the following: within New South Wales, Australia, what impact did the 2019-2020 fire season have on a) soil health and native vegetation and b) human behaviours and perceptions of fire in the Australian landscape. The quantity of insights gained from NSW citizens will provide a broad assessment of fire impacts across multiple soil and ecosystem types, providing knowledge of the impacts of severe fires, such as those that occurred during the Black Summer, to the scientific community. Furthermore, with knowledge gained from reflections from citizens, the Hotspots Fire Project will be better able to train and support workshop participants, while expanding the coverage of workshops to improve support of landowners across the state. Data regarding fire impacts on soil, ecosystems, and communities has been collected by unknowing citizen scientists all across New South Wales, and to gain access to that data, we need only ask.& &
Soil quality indicators: critical tools in ecosystem restoration
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Changes in ecosystem properties after post‐fire management strategies in wildfire‐affected Mediterranean forests
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-01-2021
Soil physicochemical and microbiological indicators of short, medium and long term post-fire recovery in semi-arid ecosystems
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2016
Cyanobacteria inoculation enhances carbon sequestration in soil substrates used in dryland restoration
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.04.265
Abstract: Despite significant efforts to restore dryland ecosystems worldwide, the rate of success of restoration is extremely low in these areas. The role of cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts in reestablishing soil functions of degraded land has been highlighted in recent years. These organisms are capable of improving soil structure and promoting soil N and C fixation. Nevertheless, their application to restore functions of reconstructed soils in dryland restoration programs is yet to be harnessed. In this study, we used microcosms under laboratory conditions to analyse the effects of inoculating soil substrates used in post-mine restoration with a mixture of N-fixing cyanobacteria isolated from soil biocrust (Nostoc commune, Tolypothrix distorta and Scytonema hyalinum) on i) the recovery of the biocrust, and ii) the carbon sequestration and mineralisation rates of these substrates. Soils were collected from an active mine site in the mining-intensive bio erse Pilbara region (north-west Western Australia) and consisted of previously stockpiled topsoil, overburden waste material, a mixture of both substrates, and a natural soil from an undisturbed area. Our results showed that cyanobacteria rapidly colonised the mine substrates, with biocrust coverage ranging from 23.8 to 52.2% and chlorophyll a concentrations of up to 12.2 μg g
Land management influences the effects of fire on soil properties: implications for post-fire restoration efforts
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 04-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-9353
Abstract: & & Climate change, at the rate at which it is occurring, is having devastating impacts around the globe. In Australia, climate change has led to rising fire frequency, fire severity, area burned, and area susceptible to burning. These changes are causing a net loss of soil functionality across the country, thus threatening Australia& #8217 s agricultural productivity, ecosystem bio ersity, resiliency to climate disasters, clean air and water, and copious other ecosystem services. As fire regimes in Australia continue to change, it is becoming more important to understand the impact of land use on post-fire outcomes. As of 2010, approximately 84% of Australian land was being managed, e.g., more than 40% had been cleared and over 50% was used for grazing.& On its own, fire can cause loss of vegetation and dependent ecosystem services, such as food and habitat, evapotranspiration and climate stabilization, and carbon sequestration, increased hydrophobicity, altered microbial communities, and soil erosion. Land clearing also results in loss of vegetation, and can lead to soil erosion, nutrient run-off, and threatened water quality. Additionally, grazing practices can increase soil nitrogen, promoting weed growth and soil acidification, and cause soil compaction, hindering native vegetation, increasing water run-off, and promoting soil erosion. However, very little is known regarding how soil is affected when both land management and fire act together.& & & & Between December 16& sup& th& /sup& , 2019 and January 30& sup& th& /sup& , 2020, 46% of Kangaroo Island, a Mediterranean-climate region off the coast of South Australia, was burned by a megafire. This megafire affected both managed, e.g., cleared and grazed, and non-managed land across the island including multiple areas of our study site, located at 35& #176 & #8217 S, 137& #176 & #8217 E. The objective of this study was to better understand the interactive effects of land management and fire on the soil functionality of these Kangaroo Island sites to help land managers restore the burnt and grazed grasslands to a native vegetative state. Within our study area, 14 sites were identified: four burnt, cleared, and grazed grassland sites, five burnt and non-managed sites dominated by Eucalyptus, and five unburnt and non-managed sites dominated by Eucalyptus. Six months after the Kangaroo Island megafire, replicate soil s les (n=10) from the top 5cm were collected from each of the 14 sites. S les were transported to the laboratories at The University of New South Wales for physicochemical and microbiological analysis, e.g., pH, electrical conductivity, hydrophobicity, aggregate stability, total nutrient content, and microbial abundance, community composition and ersity. Our preliminary results showed significantly higher hydrophobicity (p & 0.01), as well as total carbon, total nitrogen, and microbial activity (p & 0.001), and significantly lower pH (p & 0.01) in soils collected from burnt, cleared, and grazed plots compared to burnt non-managed plots. These results suggest that pre-fire land management has a significant influence on how fire affects soil health, providing valuable insights that will guide the restoration effort of our study area and serve as an ex le for others.& &
Global urban environmental change drives adaptation in white clover.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 18-03-2022
Abstract: Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by s ling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural clines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale.
Native soil bacteria and biocrust cyanobacteria inoculation improve seedling emergence of native plants on saline dryland soils 
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 28-03-2022
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU22-9005
Abstract: & & Soil salinity can result in osmotic and ionic stresses that critically impede seedling emergence, especially in drylands. Novel microbial-based technologies are emerging in the context of ecosystem restoration as a promising strategy to improve seedling establishment in saline environments. However, with recent concerns and the potential adverse impact of the use of exogenous microorganisms as bio-inoculants, much work is needed to develop groups of native microorganisms that can overcome soil salinity stress during restoration. In this study, we tested the effect of bio-inoculants in idually composed of halophilic bacteria, biocrust cyanobacteria, and a consortium combination of both, on improving seedling emergence in soils with three salinity levels (low, moderate, and high salinity). Seedling emergence was assessed in four Australian native plants, & em& Triodia epactia, Triodia pungens, Acacia liceps & /em& and & em& Canavalia rosea,& /em& all inoculated with each of the inoculants and a control treatment without microbial inoculation. Our results showed that the highest seedling emergence was recorded in soils with low salinity, followed by moderate salinity soil and high salinity soil. Both & em& Triodia & /em& spp. were severely impacted by salinity with very low emergence in all soil types. & em& Acacia& /em& sp. emergence was higher when inoculated with halophilic bacteria in low and moderate salinity soils while & em& Canavalia& /em& sp. emergence was higher under cyanobacteria inoculation in moderate salinity soils. Overall, our study shows that in idual inoculation of halophilic bacteria and cyanobacteria improves the emergence of & em& Acacia & /em& sp. and & em& Canavalia & /em& sp. seedlings in low and moderate saline soils, while seedling emergence in high salinity soils can only be enhanced when using the combined consortia composed of halophiles and cyanobacteria. The analyses of the soil bacterial community composition by 16S rRNA gene licon sequencing showed that the inoculants did not negatively affect the resident bacterial soil communities. In conclusion, poor seedling emergence from salinity stress during the restoration of some plant species can be ameliorated with the inoculation of native halophilic bacteria and cyanobacteria. Grass species such as & em& Triodia& /em& might need additional treatments to overcome salinity stress.& &
Natural and Regenerated Saltmarshes Exhibit Similar Soil and Belowground Organic Carbon Stocks, Root Production and Soil Respiration
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-04-2019
Soil ecosystem services, sustainability, valuation and management
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Modelling soil organic carbon stocks in global change scenarios: a CarboSOIL application
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 13-12-2013
Abstract: Abstract. Global climate change, as a consequence of the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 concentration, may significantly affect both soil organic C storage and soil capacity for C sequestration. CarboSOIL is an empirical model based on regression techniques and developed as a geographical information system tool to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) contents at different depths. This model is a new component of the agro-ecological decision support system for land evaluation MicroLEIS, which assists decision-makers in facing specific agro-ecological problems, particularly in Mediterranean regions. In this study, the CarboSOIL model was used to study the effects of climate change on SOC dynamics in a Mediterranean region (Andalusia, S Spain). Different downscaled climate models were applied based on BCCR-BCM2, CNRMCM3, and ECHAM5 and driven by SRES scenarios (A1B, A2 and B2). Output data were linked to spatial data sets (soil and land use) to quantify SOC stocks. The CarboSOIL model has proved its ability to predict the short-, medium- and long-term trends (2040s, 2070s and 2100s) of SOC dynamics and sequestration under projected future scenarios of climate change. Results have shown an overall trend towards decreasing of SOC stocks in the upper soil sections (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm) for most soil types and land uses, but predicted SOC stocks tend to increase in the deeper soil section (0–75 cm). Soil types as Arenosols, Planosols and Solonchaks and land uses as "permanent crops" and "open spaces with little or no vegetation" would be severely affected by climate change with large decreases of SOC stocks, in particular under the medium–high emission scenario A2 by 2100. The information developed in this study might support decision-making in land management and climate adaptation strategies in Mediterranean regions, and the methodology could be applied to other Mediterranean areas with available soil, land use and climate data.
Effects of indigenous soil cyanobacteria on seed germination and seedling growth of arid species used in restoration
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-03-2018
Water availability drives the effectiveness of inorganic amendments to increase plant growth and substrate quality
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Assessment of Soil Suitability for Improvement of Soil Factors and Agricultural Management
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-03-2019
DOI: 10.3390/SU11061588
Abstract: The dramatic growth of the world’s population is increasing the pressure on natural resources, particularly on soil systems. At the same time, inappropriate agricultural practices are causing widespread soil degradation. Improved management of soil resources and identification of the potential agricultural capability of soils is therefore needed to prevent further land degradation, particularly in dryland areas such as Egypt. Here, we present a case study in the El-Fayoum depression (Northern Egypt) to model and map soil suitability for 12 typical Mediterranean crops. Two management scenarios were analyzed: the current situation (CS) and an optimal scenario (OS) of soil variables. The Almagra model was applied to estimate soil suitability under CS and OS. Management options based on the CS assessment were proposed to reduce some limiting factors: a fixed value of 2 dSm−1 for soil salinity and 5% for sodium saturation these defined the OS. Under optimal management, the OS scenario showed potential, where a notable increase of the area covered by a high suitability class (around 80%) for annual and semi-annual crops was observed. There was also a marked increase (about 70% for CS and 50% for OS) for perennial crops shifting from the marginal to moderate soil suitability class. The results reveal the importance of proper management to massively alter soil suitability into better states in order to achieve sustainable land use in this fertile agro-ecosystem.
Unpacking the recruitment potential of seeds in reconstructed soils and varying rainfall patterns
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.1071/BT22141
Soil Mapping and Processes Models for Sustainable Land Management Applied to Modern Challenges
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Soil Mapping and Processes Modeling for Sustainable Land Management
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2017
Bridging ecology and physics: Australian fairy circles regenerate following model assumptions on ecohydrological feedbacks
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-09-2021
The role of organic amendments in drylands restoration
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
Soil biodiversity and organic carbon are essential to reverse desertification
Publisher: Asociacion Espanola de Ecologia Terrestre (AEET)
Date: 24-12-2021
DOI: 10.7818/ECOS.2238
Abstract: La bio ersidad y el carbono orgánico del suelo, así como la interacción entre ambos, juegan papeles esenciales en el mantenimiento y regulación de los servicios ecosistémicos de las zonas secas, desde la fertilidad del suelo a la producción de alimentos. El cambio climático y los impactos antrópicos pueden provocar pérdidas en la bio ersidad y carbono del suelo, lo cual puede resultar en alteraciones de los ciclos del carbono y la funcionalidad de los ecosistemas derivando en procesos acelerados de desertificación. Es necesario, por tanto, mejorar nuestro conocimiento sobre la compleja ersidad biológica del suelo, así como su interacción con el carbono orgánico en las zonas secas. Esto nos permitirá diseñar estrategias efectivas para promover el secuestro de carbono en el suelo, contribuyendo así a revertir los procesos de degradación y desertificación. En esta revisión discutimos la importancia de la bio ersidad y el carbono orgánico del suelo de las zonas secas en un contexto de cambio global, definiendo la relación entre ambos y su respuesta a factores climáticos y degradación. También destacamos el uso de herramientas avanzadas tales como la genómica, y practicas relevantes de manejo del suelo que nos permitan incrementar los contenidos de carbono y mejorar la ersidad y funcionalidad de suelo en las zonas secas, con el fin último de prevenir y revertir la desertificación.
Bushfire impacts on a threatened swamp ecosystem: responses of the soil microbial communities and restoration
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 03-03-2021
DOI: 10.5194/EGUSPHERE-EGU21-3778
Abstract: & & Australia faced the most extreme and prolonged fire season in 2019-2020, resulting in tragic habitat loss for many threatened species and the destruction of many ecological communities. & Newnes Plateau Shrub Sw s are peatlands located in the upper Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, Australia. These ecosystems perform many important ecological functions while absorbing and filtering water and releasing it slowly back to the environment. Their functions are related to the control of peak flow events, water purification and the harboring of many threatened plant and animal species. Despite their ecological importance, the area has been intensively degraded through longwall mining processes, resulting in the lowering and loss of water tables in the area. In December 2019 these impacts were compounded by an intense prolonged drought period and extensive wildfire. While the effects of these combined factors on the vegetation have been analysed and revealed remarkable negative impacts in the sw s under mining pressures, the effects on the soil microbial communities and related soil functions have not yet been studied. To investigate both drivers (fire and mining activities), we selected three mined sw s and three unmined sw s to assess their soil microbial composition and ersity through Next Generation Sequencing, and to characterise the soil chemical composition. At each site, we collected s les considering three treatments, one in the sw valley fill and two at two different heights of the sw valley margin, focusing on the soil close to specific groups of plants (e.g. sedges and shrubs). For each site and treatment, three soil s les (~ 10 m from each other) of 10x10 cm and ~ 3 to 5 cm of depth were collected using a trowel. We aim to build 16S rRNA gene libraries and co-relate them with the soil chemical variables, to assess the impact on these microbial communities and their possible use as environmental indicators and basis for future applied initiatives in conservation and restoration.& & & & & & &
Changes in land cover and vegetation carbon stocks in Andalusia, Southern Spain (1956–2007)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2011.04.009
Abstract: Land use has significantly changed during the recent decades at global and local scale, while the importance of ecosystems as sources/sinks of C has been highlighted, emphasizing the global impact of land use changes. Land use changes can increase C loss rates which are extremely difficult to reverse, in the short term, opposite to organic carbon (OC) which accumulates in soil in the long-term. The aim of this research is to improve and test methodologies to assess land cover change (LCC) dynamics and temporal and spatial variability in C stored in vegetation at a wide scale. LCCs between 1956 and 2007 in Andalusia (Southern Spain) were selected for this pilot study, assessed by comparison of spatial data from 1956 to 2007 and were reclassified following land cover flows (LCFs) reported in major areas in Europe. Carbon vegetation densities were related to land cover, and C vegetation stocks for 1956 and 2007 were calculated by multiplying C density for each land cover class with land cover areas. The study area has supported important changes during the studied period with significant consequences for vegetation C stocks, mainly due to afforestation and intensification of agriculture, resulting in a total vegetation C stock of 156.08Tg in 2007, with an increase of 17.24Tg since 1956. This study demonstrates the importance of LCC for C sequestration in vegetation from Mediterranean areas, highlighting possible directions for management policies in order to mitigate climate change as well as promoting land conservation. The methodologies and information generated in this project will be a useful basis for designing land management strategies helpful for decision makers.
Environmental Factors Controlling Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in Two Contrasting Mediterranean Climatic Areas of Southern Spain
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-09-2015
DOI: 10.1002/LDR.2417
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