12.4 Soils and ecosystem services
5 min read•july 24, 2024
Soil functions and ecosystem services are crucial for life on Earth. From to water regulation, soils provide a diverse array of services that support biodiversity, climate regulation, and pollution control. These functions are intricately linked to soil properties like texture, organic matter content, and pH.
Land use practices significantly impact soil services, with agricultural activities, urbanization, and deforestation altering soil characteristics. To optimize soil management, strategies like conservation agriculture, precision farming, and urban soil management are employed. These approaches aim to preserve soil health and enhance ecosystem services for sustainable land use.
Soil Functions and Ecosystem Services
Diverse services of soils
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- Nutrient cycling facilitates element transfer between biosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere
- Carbon cycle regulates CO2 levels and organic matter decomposition
- Nitrogen cycle converts atmospheric N2 to plant-available forms (ammonium, nitrate)
- Phosphorus cycle releases P from minerals and organic matter for plant uptake
- Sulfur cycle transforms S between organic and inorganic forms
- Water regulation maintains hydrological balance and soil moisture
- Infiltration allows water penetration into soil layers
- Water storage retains moisture for plant use (field capacity)
- Groundwater recharge replenishes aquifers
- Flood mitigation reduces surface runoff and erosion
- Biodiversity support creates habitats for various organisms
- Habitat provision sustains soil-dwelling species (, nematodes)
- drives nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition
- Soil food web interconnects organisms through energy transfer
- Climate regulation mitigates greenhouse gas emissions
- stores atmospheric CO2 in soil organic matter
- Greenhouse gas emissions release CO2, CH4, and N2O from soil processes
- Pollution control filters and degrades contaminants
- Filtration of contaminants removes pollutants from water and air
- Degradation of pollutants breaks down harmful substances (pesticides)
- Physical support provides foundation for terrestrial ecosystems
- Foundation for plants and structures anchors vegetation and built environment
- Cultural services preserve history and enable recreation
- Archaeological preservation maintains artifacts and historical records
- Recreational activities support outdoor pursuits (gardening, sports)
Soil properties and ecosystem services
- Soil texture and structure influence water and nutrient dynamics
- Influence on water holding capacity varies with particle size distribution
- Impact on nutrient retention affects cation exchange and adsorption
- Effect on root penetration and plant growth determines vegetation establishment
- Soil organic matter enhances soil quality and fertility
- Role in nutrient cycling releases essential elements through decomposition
- Contribution to soil structure improves aggregate stability and porosity
- Influence on water retention increases soil moisture availability
- Soil pH affects nutrient availability and biological activity
- Effect on nutrient availability alters solubility and plant uptake
- Impact on microbial activity influences decomposition rates and nutrient cycling
- Cation exchange capacity (CEC) determines
- Influence on nutrient retention and availability affects plant nutrition
- Soil porosity regulates water and air movement
- Relation to water movement and storage affects infiltration and drainage
- Impact on gas exchange influences root respiration and microbial activity
- Soil depth determines root zone and water storage capacity
- Influence on plant rooting and water storage affects vegetation growth
- drives ecosystem functioning
- Role in nutrient cycling accelerates element transformations
- Contribution to soil structure formation improves soil aggregation
- Soil formation processes shape soil properties over time
- Weathering and its impact on nutrient release breaks down parent material
- Organic matter accumulation and decomposition builds soil fertility
Land Use and Soil Management
Land use impacts on soil services
- Agricultural practices alter soil properties and functions
- Tillage effects on soil structure and organic matter disrupt aggregates and accelerate decomposition
- Fertilizer use and nutrient cycling can lead to imbalances and leaching
- Crop rotation impacts on soil health improve nutrient cycling and pest control
- Urbanization modifies soil characteristics and hydrology
- Soil sealing and its effects on water regulation reduce infiltration and increase runoff
- Compaction and its impact on root growth and water infiltration limits plant establishment
- Deforestation disrupts soil-vegetation interactions
- Effects on soil organic matter and nutrient cycling deplete soil fertility
- Impacts on soil erosion and water regulation increase sediment loss and flooding risk
- Wetland drainage alters hydrological and biogeochemical processes
- Consequences for water regulation and carbon storage include reduced flood mitigation and increased CO2 emissions
- Overgrazing degrades vegetation cover and soil structure
- Impacts on soil structure and vegetation cover increase erosion risk
- Mining activities transform landscapes and soil properties
- Effects on soil structure, chemistry, and biodiversity often require extensive remediation
- Soil pollution introduces contaminants into ecosystems
- Impacts of contaminants on soil organisms and ecosystem functions can persist for decades
Strategies for soil management optimization
- Conservation agriculture minimizes soil disturbance
- Minimum tillage or no-till practices reduce erosion and preserve soil structure
- Cover cropping protects soil surface and adds organic matter
- Crop residue management improves soil organic matter content and nutrient cycling
- Agroforestry systems combine trees and crops
- Integration of trees in agricultural landscapes enhances biodiversity and soil conservation
- Precision agriculture tailors management to spatial variability
- Site-specific management based on soil variability optimizes resource use
- Organic farming practices enhance soil biology
- Compost and manure application increases soil organic matter and nutrient availability
- Biological pest control reduces chemical inputs and supports soil biodiversity
- Soil erosion control measures protect topsoil
- Contour plowing reduces runoff on sloped land
- Terracing creates level planting areas on hillsides
- Windbreaks reduce wind erosion in open fields
- Wetland restoration reestablishes ecosystem functions
- Reestablishing hydrological regimes improves and habitat
- Urban soil management improves city environments
- Green infrastructure implementation reduces urban heat island effect
- Urban gardening and agriculture increases and soil awareness
- Remediation of contaminated soils restores ecosystem health
- Phytoremediation uses plants to extract or stabilize pollutants
- Bioremediation employs microorganisms to degrade contaminants
- Sustainable forestry practices maintain forest ecosystem services
- Selective logging preserves forest structure and biodiversity
- Reforestation restores degraded areas and sequesters carbon
- Integrated nutrient management optimizes fertilizer use
- Balanced fertilizer application matches crop needs and soil conditions
- Legume integration for nitrogen fixation reduces synthetic N inputs
- Water conservation techniques improve water use efficiency
- Efficient irrigation systems (drip, sprinkler) reduce water waste
- Rainwater harvesting captures and stores precipitation for later use
Key Terms to Review (18)
Carbon Sequestration: Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate climate change and its impacts. This process plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle, where CO2 is absorbed by plants, soils, and oceans, helping to reduce the overall concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Clay soil: Clay soil is a type of soil characterized by its small particle size and high plasticity, which means it can hold water and nutrients effectively but may also become compacted and hard when dry. This soil texture influences its behavior, such as water retention, drainage, and nutrient availability, making it a critical factor in agricultural practices and ecosystem health.
Earthworms: Earthworms are segmented worms that play a vital role in soil health and fertility, contributing to the decomposition of organic matter and enhancing soil structure. Their burrowing activity aerates the soil, promotes water infiltration, and helps break down organic materials, turning them into nutrient-rich humus. These processes significantly benefit various soil organisms and overall ecosystem functionality.
Food security: Food security means having reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. It encompasses not just the availability of food but also access, utilization, and stability over time, which are all influenced by factors like agriculture, economy, and social policies.
Land capability classification: Land capability classification is a system used to evaluate the potential of land for agricultural production and other uses based on its inherent physical and chemical properties. This classification helps land managers, farmers, and planners make informed decisions about land use, considering factors such as soil type, drainage, erosion potential, and climate. It plays a crucial role in soil mapping and understanding how soils contribute to ecosystem services like water filtration and carbon storage.
Loamy soil: Loamy soil is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay that provides an ideal environment for plant growth. This type of soil retains moisture and nutrients while still allowing for good drainage and aeration. Loamy soil is often considered the most fertile soil type, making it crucial for agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.
Microbial diversity: Microbial diversity refers to the variety of microbial species present in a given environment, encompassing bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. This diversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and stability, influencing soil functions such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and disease suppression. A rich microbial community enhances the resilience of ecosystems to disturbances and contributes to the delivery of essential ecosystem services.
Mycorrhizal fungi: Mycorrhizal fungi are a type of beneficial fungi that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of most plants, enhancing nutrient and water uptake. This partnership is crucial for plant health and growth, as the fungi improve soil structure and facilitate access to vital resources while receiving carbohydrates from the plants in return. Their role is especially significant in processes like soil rehabilitation and the provision of ecosystem services.
Nutrient Cycling: Nutrient cycling is the process through which essential nutrients are exchanged and transformed among soil, organisms, and the environment, ensuring the continual availability of these nutrients for plants and other living organisms. This dynamic process highlights the intricate relationships between soil organisms, organic matter, and plant growth, which play crucial roles in maintaining soil health and fertility.
Provisioning services: Provisioning services are the products and resources that ecosystems provide to humans, such as food, water, raw materials, and medicinal resources. These services are essential for human survival and well-being, highlighting the direct benefits we receive from healthy ecosystems. They connect the relationship between natural environments and the resources that sustain economies and livelihoods.
Regulating services: Regulating services refer to the benefits provided by ecosystems that help to regulate natural processes, maintaining balance within the environment. These services include functions like carbon storage, water purification, and climate regulation, all of which play crucial roles in supporting life on Earth. By managing essential ecological processes, regulating services contribute to the sustainability of ecosystems and human well-being.
Soil biodiversity: Soil biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms found within the soil ecosystem, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and larger organisms like earthworms and insects. This diversity plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health, fertility, and overall ecosystem functions. A rich soil biodiversity helps improve nutrient cycling, enhances soil structure, and supports plant growth, which are vital for both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
Soil conservation practices: Soil conservation practices refer to various methods and strategies employed to prevent soil degradation, maintain soil health, and enhance its ability to support agriculture and ecosystems. These practices aim to improve soil structure, prevent erosion, and increase organic matter content, ultimately contributing to sustainable land management and the overall health of the environment.
Soil Fertility: Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients and support plant growth, influencing agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. It is determined by various factors, including the presence of soil organisms, nutrient retention capabilities, soil structure, and management practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping. Understanding soil fertility is crucial for maintaining sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing ecosystem services.
Soil health assessment: Soil health assessment is a systematic evaluation of the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil to determine its condition and functionality. This assessment is crucial for understanding how well soil can support plant growth, store water, and provide ecosystem services, reflecting the soil's ability to maintain productivity and environmental quality over time.
Sustainable land management: Sustainable land management refers to the use of land resources in a way that meets current needs while ensuring that future generations can also meet their own needs. It emphasizes a balanced approach to managing land that considers environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. This concept plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem services, which are essential for human survival and well-being.
Trophic interactions: Trophic interactions refer to the feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem, highlighting how energy and nutrients flow through various levels of a food web. These interactions are crucial for understanding ecosystem dynamics, as they illustrate the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in maintaining ecological balance and facilitating the delivery of essential ecosystem services.
Water quality: Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water, which determine its suitability for various uses such as drinking, recreation, agriculture, and ecosystem support. High water quality is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring that human activities do not degrade these resources. Factors affecting water quality include pollutants, sedimentation, and the natural processes occurring within soil and water systems.