Journal Article

PreJuSER-111947

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Understanding spatial variability of soil properties: a key step in establishing field- to farm-scale agro-ecosystem experiments

Peukert, S. ; Bol, R.FZJ* ; Roberts, W. ; Macleod, C. J. A. ; Murray, P. J. ; Dixon, E. R. ; Brazier, R. E.

2012
Wiley Interscience New York, NY

This record in other databases:      

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1002/rcm.6336

Abstract: The spatial variability of soil properties is poorly understood, despite its importance in designing appropriate experimental sampling strategies. As preparation for a farm-scale agro-ecosystem services monitoring project, the 'North Wyke Farm Platform', there was a need to assess the spatial variability of key soil chemical and physical properties.The field-scale spatial variability of soil chemical (total N, total C, soil organic matter), soil physical properties (bulk density and particle size distribution) and stable isotope ratios (δ(13) C and δ(15) N values) was studied using geostatistical approaches in an intensively managed grassland.The scales over which stable isotopes vary (ranges: 212-258 m) were larger than those of the total nutrients, soil organic matter and bulk density (ranges: 84-170 m). Two visually and statistically distinct areas of Great Field (north and south) were identified in terms of co-occurring high/low values of several soil properties.The resulting patterns of spatial variability suggest lower spatial variability of stable isotopes than that of total nutrients, soil organic matter and bulk density. Future sampling regimes should be conducted in a grid with <85 m distance between sampling locations to sufficiently capture the spatial variability of the measured soil properties on the 'North Wyke Farm Platform'. Consultation of the management histories of the sampled field revealed that it had previously comprised two fields with contrasting management histories, suggesting an effect of management legacy (>5 years) on the patterns of spatial variability.

Keyword(s): J

Note: The authors would like to thank Bruce Griffith, Robert Orr Deborah Beaumont and Sue Rovillard for their assistance. This work was funded as part of a NERC - CASE PhD award (NE/H01814X/1). Rothamsted Research is supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Agrosphäre (IBG-3)

Research Program(s):

1. Terrestrische Umwelt (P24)

Appears in the scientific report 2012

---

Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

---