Short-term evaluation of soil physical, chemical and biochemical properties in an abandoned cropland treated with different soil organic amendments under semiarid conditions.

This study evaluate the effects of four organic soil amendments on soil. Physical, chemical and biochemical properties were compared to untreated and natural (not cultivated) soils in a semiarid region (Andalusia, Spain). A large set of physical, chemical biochemical properties and, the composition of bacterial communities; and overall soil quality index (SQI) were evaluated on soils treated with organic soil amendments of animal origin (compost from sheep and cow manure [CS] or chicken manure, [CK], vegetal origin (greenhouse crop residues [CC]), and vermicompost (CV).

Altitudinal Gradient and Soil Depth as Sources of Variations in Fungal Communities Revealed by Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Methods in the Negev Desert, Israel.

We examined fungal communities in soil profiles of 0-10 cm depth along the altitudinal gradient of 250-530-990 m.a.s.

Organic amendments from recycled waste promote short-term carbon sequestration of restored soils in drylands.

Soils are considered as a major reservoir for terrestrial carbon and it can act as a source or sink depending upon the land management activities. In semi-arid areas, the natural recovery of soils degraded by mining activities is complicated. A possible solution to recover soil quality and functionality, plant cover and carbon sequestration capacity could be the application of organic amendments.

Short-term effects of post-fire soil mulching with wheat straw and wood chips on the enzymatic activities in a Mediterranean pine forest.

Soils of Mediterranean forests can be severely degraded due to wildfire. However, post-fire management techniques, such as soil mulching with vegetal residues, can limit degradation and increase functionality of burned soils. The effects of post-fire mulching on soil functionality have been little studied in Mediterranean forests, and it is still unclear whether the application of straw or wood residues is beneficial.