Grassland ecology is deteriorating along with a fall in biodiversity and ecosystem services as a result of climate change in the Mediterranean regions. Understanding the mechanism of feedback between soil properties related to available water and increasing aridity is a key component of preserving grassland ecosystems. Structural equation modelling was used to explore a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the feedback between soil properties related to available water and increasing aridity. In most cases, vegetation patches had significantly higher soil properties related to available water than inter-patches. Compared to inter-patches, the fine fractions of silt and clay content, soil organic carbon, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and available water under vegetation patches increased by 3.79%-7.64%, 31.08%-37.64%, 96.65%-141.14%, and 2.63%-9.21%, respectively, under limestone and mica schist lithologies. The fine fractions of silt and clay content, soil organic carbon, and available water were more responsive to the aridity index than the vegetation patch, while saturated hydraulic conductivity was more responsive to the vegetation patch than the aridity index. These complex relationships demonstrated that the available water was significantly positively affected by the vegetation pattern (0.09) and the aridity index (0.21-0.38). Soil texture had a significantly direct effect (0.43-0.53) on available water. Increasing aridity would strengthen the contrast in soil water availability while weakening the contrast in saturated hydraulic conductivity between vegetation patches and inter-patches. Available water was controlled by many aspects except vegetation pattern and aridity index. Understanding these relationships helped in predicting and mitigating the impacts of climate change on soil properties related to available water. The study offered fresh perspectives on the mechanism of vegetation pattern and aridity index on the various soil properties related to available water in arid and semiarid grasslands ecosystems under climate change.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121841 | DOI Listing |
Nanotoxicology
January 2025
Chemical Engineering Department, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), recognized for their unique properties, are widely applied in fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, food security, and medicine. However, concerns persist regarding their interactions with living organisms and potential environmental impacts. This study investigates the effects of AgNPs on key soil microbial indicators that are essential for ecological functioning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Infect Microbiol
January 2025
Mkelly Biotech Pvt Ltd., Mohali, Punjab, India.
Background: The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has intensified the search for novel antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to isolate from local soil samples and evaluate its antimicrobial properties, along with optimizing the production of bioactive compounds.
Methods: Soil samples were collected from local regions, processed, and analysed for Streptomyces strains isolation using morphological characteristics and molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene PCR assay.
PeerJ
January 2025
Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Wheat, a staple food crop globally, faces the challenges of limited water resources and sustainable soil management practices. The pivotal elements of the current study include the integration of activated acacia biochar (AAB) in wheat cultivation under varying irrigation regimes (IR). A field trial was conducted in the Botanical Garden, University of the Punjab, Lahore during 2023-2024, designed as a split-split-plot arrangement with RCBD comprising three AAB levels (0T, 5T, and 10T, T = tons per hectare) three wheat cultivars (Dilkash-2020, Akbar-2019, and FSD-08) receiving five IR levels (100%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50% field capacity).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
January 2025
DeepBlue Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Introduction: The salinization of coastal soils is a primary cause of global land degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic amendment on the soil microbial community within a saline gradient.
Methods: The study was designed with five levels of electrical conductivity (EC): 0.
Environ Geochem Health
January 2025
School of Public Health, Nanchang University, No.461, Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China.
Soil serves as a significant reservoir of selenium (Se) and plays a crucial role for the entry of Se into the food chain. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to gain a deep understanding of the spatial and temporal variation of total soil Se content in China, as well as its influencing factors. This understanding is essential for the rational and efficient utilization of Se resources, the maintenance of ecological balance, and the preservation of human health in the future.
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