Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Soil size'

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2000.<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 65 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-65).

Previous research documented that white-tailed deer body mass and antler size varied across physiographic regions of Mississippi. Deer from regions with greater soil fertility had greater body mass and antler size; however, this information is known only for individuals 6 months of age and older. I monitored birth mass and skeletal size of fawns produced by bred, adult, female white-tailed deer transplanted from the Delta, Thin Loess (Loess), and Lower Coastal Plain (LCP) soil regions to fawn in the Mississippi State University Rusty Dawkins Memorial Deer Unit. I evaluated the effect of soil region of origin, litter size, and fawn gender on mass and size of fawns at birth. Birth mass was not as variable as mass of older animals, but LCP fawns were lighter and shorter than loess and/or delta fawns. Twins were lighter and shorter than singletons. Males were heavier than females. Differences between regional birth dates within the pens and estimated regional birth dates based on a fetal growth curve raises questions about the wide-spread application of this method of estimating deer breeding and fawning dates.

Hydrophobic soils developing as a consequence of wildfires have a large impact on the environment. A greater understanding of when ideal hydrophobic development conditions occur is needed. This thesis aims to identify the impact of varying both soil moisture and soil particle size on the locations for ideal hydrophobic soil development under different intensities of burns. It builds on experiments completed previously to further the understanding of the effect of particle size on heat flow. All experiments done in the previous study used only dry sediment. This study focused on the role of moisture in hydrophobic soil development. A secondary goal of this thesis is to provide an opportunity to further explore convection as a mechanism of soil heating. An indoor wildfire simulator was employed, consisting of an array of propane burners, to determine the impact of varying factors under controlled conditions. The temperature levels and durations selected were based on data obtained from measurements taken during full-scale field based burns. Thermocouples were used to measure temperatures of the flames and temperatures at different depths within the sediment. Determining the impact of soil texture was done by running burns with sand, clay-loam, silt, and clay. The impact of soil moisture was determined by testing each of the sediment types with different levels of moisture. In total, twenty-four burns were completed with peak temperatures of 600 degrees C, 900 degrees C, and 1200 degrees C in order to simulate typical chaparral fires.

Conservation tillage tobacco production has gained little producer acceptance since introduction in the late 1960's. Yield reductions, tobacco quality issues, unacceptable weed control, and inadequate planting equipment limited practice adoption and substantiated the need for continued research. The recent developments of a Subsurface Tiller-TransplanterTM and the herbicide SpartanTM renewed producer interest in conservation tillage and led to an investigation with both flue-cured and Virginia dark-fired tobacco. Flue-cured tobacco was transplanted into rye mulch on bedded rows and subsequently cultivated at various timings. Conservation tillage significantly reduced soil erosion approximately 92 percent and tobacco yield approximately 23 percent when row cultivation was not applied. Row cultivation significantly increased tobacco yield without increasing soil erosion. The yield of conservation tillage tobacco receiving a minimum of two cultivations was similar to conventional tobacco. The second study evaluated wheat, rye, crimson clover, and mixtures of crimson clover with either wheat or rye as cover crop mulches for conservation tillage production of Virginia dark-fired tobacco. Conservation tillage, regardless of cover crop, reduced dark-fired tobacco yields approximately 779 and 488 pounds per acre in 1996 and 1997, respectively. The removal of cover crop residue for hay did not lower tobacco yield compared to leaving residue on the soil surface. Row cultivation increased conservation tillage tobacco yield approximately 247 pounds in 1997 regardless of cover crop. The nitrogen contribution of crimson clover was minimal in both years of the study and did not affect tobacco performance.<br>Master of Science

We address the problem of stochastic simulation of soil particle-size curves (PSCs) in heterogeneous aquifer systems. Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on a few selected features of PSCs (e.g., selected quantiles), our approach considers the entire particle-size curves and can optionally include conditioning on available data. We rely on our prior work to model PSCs as cumulative distribution functions and interpret their density functions as functional compositions. We thus approximate the latter through an expansion over an appropriate basis of functions. This enables us to (a) effectively deal with the data dimensionality and constraints and (b) to develop a simulation method for PSCs based upon a suitable and well defined projection procedure. The new theoretical framework allows representing and reproducing the complete information content embedded in PSC data. As a first field application, we demonstrate the quality of unconditional and conditional simulations obtained with our methodology by considering a set of particle-size curves collected within a shallow alluvial aquifer in the Neckar river valley, Germany.

Laser light scattering (LLS) is an alternate method for determining soil particle size. Since the majority of information on particle size analysis has traditionally been derived from sedimentation methods, it is important to be able to draw a relationship between these two methods. Twenty four soil samples from a set of 214 samples analyzed by LLS were selected and also analyzed using sedimentation techniques. Particle size percentages were obtained in five different size ranges and then these two techniques were compared. Linear regression equations were developed that convert numbers obtained from the LLS method to a pipette analysis equivalent. This data was then utilized to eliminate the variation of soil moisture due to soil texture to obtain a moisture content independent of soil moisture. This "adjusted moisture" was displayed on a geographic information system to locate areas in the soil profile where soil moisture is relatively high. The high "adjusted moisture" contents occurred predominately below 2.44 meters (8 ft.) depths suggesting that the pre-irrigation applied to this soil reached this depth.

Crop production and ecosystem services are greatly influenced by soil’s physical properties (i.e. soil moisture, organic carbon, particle size distribution, bulk density, etc.). This thesis develops new in-situ and laboratory technologies that can accurately measure soil physical properties rapidly and cost-effectively across the cropping fields. The first challenge is to build a soil water monitoring system that can monitor crop water use at the plot level. The study used a plastic buggy system for electromagnetic induction (EMI) surveys. The electrical conductivity data recorded from the EMI surveys were used for the depth-specific temporal analyses of soil water use by different genotypes. The system was successfully used to monitor soil water uptake by 36 genotypes of chickpeas at the plot level. The second challenge is to develop a rapid in-situ soil organic carbon (SOC) measurement technique using a VisNIR penetrometer system with high-resolution in-situ spectra. This method can measure SOC contents accurately from the surface up to the depth of 90 cm. The thesis also investigates novel laboratory techniques for measuring the particle-size distribution and bulk density. An automated hydrometer method using a ToF distance and a digital temperature sensor was introduced to measure continuous particle-size distribution. A novel technique based on shear wave velocity using piezoelectric sensors was developed for measuring bulk density and soil stiffness moduli in the laboratory. These cost-effective and robust measurement systems for measuring 3-dimensional high-resolution soil physical properties can be used in precision agriculture to optimise the resources for maximum crop yields.

Soil organic matter loss is a widely recognized European soil threat and intensive and repeated tillage operations are known to negatively affect numerous soil properties and ecosystem services. In this view, the study on more sustainable agronomic managements is a pressing need for research community. Between sustainable techniques, conservation agriculture (CA) is nowadays a spread technique based on three main pivotal points: 1) minimum soil disturbance, 2) permanent soil covering and 3) crop diversification. CA is often associated with numerous soil functions such as increasing of soil biodiversity, organic matter stocks and aggregate stability and decreasing of runoff, erosion and P losses and dioxide carbon emissions. Despite the first estimates, CA practices are recently not recognized as a win-win solution for climate mitigation and agro-ecosystem improvement because the absence of tillage operations may impact the crop root growth through an increase in soil strength and bulk density, and reduce soil porosity and gas exchanges and lastly, the overall benefits of CA have been strictly related to soil type and climate. Within this viewpoint of not consistent results, more research is needed to understand and optimize the potential of sustainable agronomic practices. For these reasons, in this work, a field experiment was conducted including four farms on the low-lying plain of Veneto Region characterized by silty soils, in which conservation agriculture practices (no-tillage, cover crops and residues retention) were applied and compared to conventional tillage system. The first objective of the thesis was to evaluate the effects of CA practices on C cycle. The soil organic carbon (SOC) evolution in terms of both stock quantity and quality was monitored over a 3-yr transition period. The SOC stock was quantified through an equivalent soil mass approach up to 50 cm depth while the influence of each CA component was disentangled considering crop, cover crop and root biomasses, and tillage type as separate factors. The SOC quality was evaluated through humic carbon, its molecular weight distribution and microbial biomass analyses. The study showed that after short period, CA adoption did not increase C stock but rather its distribution within the soil profile while a positive effect was observed on humic carbon with the production of more polycondensed humic substances. The second objective regarded the evaluation of the soil gas exchange properties in the poorly structured silty soils of the low-lying plain. The effect of conservation agriculture practices on soil pore and gas transport characteristics was studied through the analyses of air permeability, gas diffusivity and air-filled porosity, and the derivation of soil structure indices on 144 undisturbed 100 cm3 soil cores. Gas transport measurements highlighted low transmission properties of the silty soils independently from agronomic management leading to critical value for both soil aeration and microbial aerobic activity. The third objective focused on the characterisation of the soil structure evolution after 5-yr of conservation agriculture management adoption. The soil pore network was quantified coupling mercury intrusion porosimetry and x-ray micro-tomography to study the total porosity and size distribution, from the macro- to the ultramicro- scale, and its architecture, on 96 undisturbed soil samples collected in the field experiment. Results suggested that silty soils of Veneto plain are micro-structured since much of the porosity is in the 0.0074-30 μm range and CA practices showed a positive influence on the ultramicroporosity range (0.1-5 μm) which are strictly linked to SOC stabilization. Concluding, silty soils of the Veneto region low-lying plain showed a slow reaction to conservation agriculture practices, as demonstrated by the poor effect on C sequestration, gas-transport characteristics and soil structure improvements. The limited amount of non-complexed organic carbon available for interaction with the soil fines prevented the formation of a more resilient soil structure leading to soil compaction that negated the exploitation of CA-related benefits. Despite such mechanisms, CA practices positively influenced C quality and ultramicroporosity range suggesting that a virtuous cycle between SOC and soil structure has been initiated. Longer transition period will be needed to reach a favourable equilibrium in the CA systems and more studies elucidating the mechanisms of structure improving conditions for silty soils, such as those examined in this study, are also required.<br>La perdita di sostanza organica è una delle minacce del suolo riconosciute a livello europeo e le ripetute lavorazioni del terreno sono state connesse con alcuni effetti negativi sulle proprietà del suolo e con i relativi servizi ecosistemici. Per questo, lo studio di pratiche agronomiche più sostenibili rappresenta una sfida per l’intera comunità scientifica. Tra le tecniche agronomiche sostenibili, l’agricoltura conservativa (AC) è una pratica ampiamente diffusa che è basata su tre principi cardine: 1) minimo disturbo del suolo, 2) copertura permanente del terreo e 3) diversificazione delle colture. AC è spesso associata a numerose funzioni del suolo quali l’aumento della biodiversità, dello stock di carbonio organico e della stabilità degli aggregati e la riduzione del runoff, dell’erosione, delle lisciviazioni di P e delle emissioni di anidride carbonica. Nonostante ciò, recentemente AC non è sempre considerata come una soluzione vincente per la mitigazione del clima e per il miglioramento dell’agroecosistema in quanto l’assenza delle lavorazioni del terreno possono influenzare negativamente lo sviluppo radicale mediante un aumento della densità e della resistenza del suolo e mediante una diminuzione della porosità e degli scambi gassosi. Per di più, i benefici delle pratiche conservative sono riconosciuti essere strettamente legati al tipo di clima e suolo. In quest’ottica di risultati contrastanti, maggiori studi sono necessari per studiare e ottimizzare le potenzialità di pratiche agronomiche più sostenibili. Per questi motivi, in questa tesi, è stata condotta una prova di campo comprendente quattro aziende agricole della bassa pianura Veneta caratterizzate da suoli limosi nei quali le pratiche conservative (non lavorazione, cover-crop e ritenzione dei residui) sono state adottate e confrontate con quelle tradizionali. Il primo obiettivo di questa tesi è stato quello di valutare gli effetti di AC sul ciclo del C. In particolare è stata valutata l’evoluzione del carbonio organico del suolo (COS) sia in termini quantitativi che qualitativi durante un periodo di transizione di tre anni. Lo stock di COS è stato quantificato mediante l’applicazione della massa equivalente fino a 50 cm di profondità mentre l’effetto delle diverse componenti del trattamento conservativo è stato studiato considerando le biomasse delle colture, delle cover-crop e degli apparati radicali e il tipo di lavorazione come fattori separati. La qualità del COS è stata invece caratterizzata analizzando il carbonio umico, le sue frazioni in peso e la biomassa microbica. Questo studio ha mostrato come dopo un breve periodo di applicazione di tali pratiche, lo stock di COS nel suolo non sia aumentato mostrando piuttosto una diversa ripartizione lungo il profilo. La qualità del carbonio organico ha invece beneficiato delle pratiche conservative con la produzione di sostanze umiche più policondensate. Il secondo obiettivo ha riguardato lo studio dell’influenza di AC sugli scambi gassosi del suolo mediante l’analisi della permeabilità all’aria, della diffusione, della air-filled porosity e mediante la derivazione di indici di struttura su 144 campioni indisturbati di suolo di 100 cm3. Le analisi hanno evidenziato le scarse proprietà di trasmissione dei suoli limosi indipendentemente dalla pratica agronomica adottata che hanno portato al raggiungimento di valori critici sia per l’aerazione del terreno che per le attività microbiche aerobiche. Il terzo obiettivo si è focalizzato sulla caratterizzazione dell’evoluzione della struttura del suolo dopo cinque anni dall’adozione delle pratiche di AC. La porosità del suolo è stata analizzata sia mediante l’utilizzo di microtomografie a raggi-x che di porosimetrie a intrusione di mercurio. La porosità totale, la distribuzione dei pori (dalla macro- alla micro-scala) e l’architettura dei pori sono state quantificate su 96 campioni indisturbati raccolti nelle quattro aziende sperimentali. I risultati hanno mostrato come i suoli limosi del Veneto siano “microstrutturati” in quanto la maggior parte della porosità ricade nel range 0.0074-30 μm e come le pratiche conservative abbiano positivamente influenzato la ultramicroporosità (0.1-5 μm) che è strettamente legata alla protezione della sostanza organica. Concludendo, come evidenziato dallo scarso effetto sul sequestro del C, sugli scambi gassosi e sulla struttura del terreno, i suoli limosi della bassa pianura Veneta hanno mostrato una lenta reazione alle pratiche conservative. Lo scarso contenuto di COS non complessato disponibile all’interazione con le particelle fini del terreno ha ostacolato la formazione di una struttura stabile portando al compattamento del suolo. Nonostante ciò, le pratiche conservative hanno però positivamente influenzato la qualità del C e la ultramicroporosità suggerendo che un ciclo virtuoso tra sostanza organica e struttura del suolo è stato inizializzato. Un periodo di transizione di più lunga durata sembra essere indispensabile per il raggiungimento di un nuovo equilibrio in sistemi conservativi e più studi sui meccanismi che regolano la struttura in suoli limosi risultano inoltre necessari.

Digital soil mapping (DSM) relies on quantitative relationships between easily measured environmental covariates and field and laboratory data. We applied innovative sampling and inference techniques to predict the distribution of soil attributes, taxonomic classes, and dominant vegetation across a 30,000-ha complex Great Basin landscape in southwestern Utah. This arid rangeland was characterized by rugged topography, diverse vegetation, and intricate geology. Environmental covariates calculated from digital elevation models (DEM) and spectral satellite data were used to represent factors controlling soil development and distribution. We investigated optimal sample size and sampled the environmental covariates using conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling (cLHS). We demonstrated that cLHS, a type of stratified random sampling, closely approximated the full range of variability of environmental covariates in feature and geographic space with small sample sizes. Site and soil data were collected at 300 locations identified by cLHS. Random forests was used to generate spatial predictions and associated probabilities of site and soil characteristics. Balanced random forests and balanced and weighted random forests were investigated for their use in producing an overall soil map. Overall and class errors (referred to as out-of-bag [OOB] error) were within acceptable levels. Quantitative covariate importance was useful in determining what factors were important for soil distribution. Random forest spatial predictions were evaluated based on the conceptual framework developed during field sampling.

Soil is one of the most precious resources on Earth because of its role in storing and recycling water and nutrients essential for life, providing a variety of ecosystem services. This vulnerable resource is at risk from degradation by erosion, salinity, contamination and other effects of mismanagement. Information from soil is therefore crucial for its sustainable management. While the demand for soil information is growing, the quantity of data collected in the field is reducing due to financial constraints. Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) supports the creation of geographically referenced soil databases generated by using field observations or legacy data coupled, through quantitative relationships, with environmental covariates. This enables the creation of soil maps at unexplored locations at reduced costs. The selection of an optimal scale for environmental covariates is still an unsolved issue affecting the accuracy of DSM. The overall aim of this research was to explore the effect of spatial scale alterations of environmental covariates in DSM. Three main targets were identified: assessing the impact of spatial scale alterations on classifying soil taxonomic units; investigating existing approaches from related scientific fields for the detection of scale patterns and finally enabling practitioners to find a suitable scale for environmental covariates by developing a new methodology for spatial scale analysis in DSM. Three study areas, covered by detailed reconnaissance soil survey, were identified in the Republic of Ireland. Their different pedological and geomorphological characteristics allowed to test scale behaviours across the spectrum of conditions present in the Irish landscape. The investigation started by examining the effects of scale alteration of the finest resolution environmental covariate, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), on the classification of soil taxonomic units. Empirical approaches from related scientific fields were subsequently selected from the literature, applied to the study areas and compared with the experimental methodology. Wavelet analysis was also employed to decompose the DEMs into a series of independent components at varying scales and then used in DSM analysis of soil taxonomic units. Finally, a new multiscale methodology was developed and evaluated against the previously presented experimental results. The results obtained by the experimental methodology have proved the significant role of scale alterations in the classification accuracy of soil taxonomic units, challenging the common practice of using the finest available resolution of DEM in DSM analysis. The set of eight empirical approaches selected in the literature have been proved to have a detrimental effect on the selection of an optimal DEM scale for DSM applications. Wavelet analysis was shown effective in removing DEM sources of variation, increasing DSM model performance by spatially decomposing the DEM. Finally, my main contribution to knowledge has been developing a new multiscale methodology for DSM applications by combining a DEM segmentation technique performed by k-means clustering of local variograms parameters calculated in a moving window with an experimental methodology altering DEM scales. The newly developed multiscale methodology offers a way to significantly improve classification accuracy of soil taxonomic units in DSM. In conclusion, this research has shown that spatial scale analysis of environmental covariates significantly enhances the practice of DSM, improving overall classification accuracy of soil taxonomic units. The newly developed multiscale methodology can be successfully integrated in current DSM analysis of soil taxonomic units performed with data mining techniques, so advancing the practice of soil mapping. The future of DSM, as it successfully progresses from the early pioneering years into an established discipline, will have to include scale and in particular multiscale investigations in its methodology. DSM will have to move from a methodology of spatial data with scale to a spatial scale methodology. It is now time to consider scale as a key soil and modelling attribute in DSM.

In Canada, about 60% of contaminated sites involve petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination and most of these sites have been abandoned due to contamination. Among current technologies used for soil remediation, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a relatively recent and potentially viable method. The main aim of this research was to investigate the application of SFE for removal of PHCs from contaminated soils. In the first phase, the effects of SFE operational parameters including fluid pressure, fluid temperature, time duration and mode of extraction on the removal efficiency of PHCs from a spiked sandy soil (with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt%) were investigated. SFE experiments were performed at different pressures (15, 33 and 50 MPa) and temperatures (30, 75 and 120 °C). The combination of 10 min static mode followed by 10 min dynamic mode, repeated for 3 cycles (60 min in total) led to the highest PHC removal percentage. According to response surface methodology (RSM), the optimum pressure and temperature were found to be 50 MPa and 69.3 °C, respectively. According to experimental results, the optimum combination of pressure and temperature determined to be 33 MPa and 75 °C; which resulted in the extraction percentages of 99.2%, 91.7% and 86.1% for PHC F2, F3 and F4 fractions, respectively. In the second phase, the influence of several parameters including soil water content, soil pH and addition of modifier on PHCs removals from a field-contaminated sandy soil using SFE were experimentally investigated. SFE experiments were performed at 33 MPa pressure and temperatures of 45 and 75 °C. Three water content levels of 8%, 14% and 20% at two levels of pH 6.5 and 7.5 were investigated. The extraction of total petroleum hydrocarbon fractions (TPHF), the sum of F2, F3, and F4 fractions, decreased due to the increase in the water content from 8% to 20% at both pH 6.5 and 7.5. The difference of extractions of all PHC fractions at pH values of 6.5 and 7.5 were not statistically significant (at p < 0.05 confidence level) at all three water content levels and pH did not have a significant influence on the PHC removal efficiency. Addition of acetone as a modifier (33.7% TPHF removal) was more effective than hexanes (24.3% TPHF removal) to decrease the concentrations of PHCs for the field contaminated soil. In the third phase, the influence of soil texture and grain size on the extraction of PHC fractions was investigated. SFE experiments were performed at 33 MPa pressure and 75 °C temperature. Three types of soils (soil A, B and C) were spiked with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt%. Soil A, B and C had different particle sizes and were categorized as sand, silt loam and clay, respectively. Soil A (sand) which had the largest particle size resulted in the highest TPHF removal percentage while soil C (clay) with the smallest particle size led to the lowest TPHF removal percentage. A higher clay content in soil C resulted in a lower extraction of PHCs. In the fourth phase, the effects of pressure and temperature on the extraction of PHC fractions from a clay soil spiked with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt% were investigated. SFE experiments were performed at three pressures (15, 33 and 50 MPa) and temperatures (30, 75 and 120 °C). According to the statistical analysis including factorial design and RSM, the optimized combination of pressure and temperature was selected at 42.8 MPa and 120 °C; which resulted in the removal percentages of 74.9% and 65.6% for PHC F2 and F3 fractions, respectively. The optimum combination of pressure and temperature based on the experimental results was selected at 33 MPa and 120 °C that led to 70.3%, 58.4% and 32.6% removal of PHC F2, F3 and F4 fractions, respectively.

This study focuses on soil hydrological parameters that are expected to be related to burn severity in forests; infiltration rate, soil moisture, grain size distribution and carbon content along a burn severity gradient in Västmanland Sweden, where a major fire occurred in 2014. Hälleskogsbrännan was divided into two burn severities: a moderate severity and a high severity, and a control area. Ten soil samples were taken for laboratory analyses at each severity level. Soil moisture and infiltration rate was measured in situ. Infiltration rates and soil moisture were highest in the most severely affected site, whereas fire effects on soil texture were insignificant. Soil organic carbon content was highest at the low fire severity site, followed by control and high severity fire sites. Inorganic carbon content followed the opposite trend. These results had clear trends but were insignificant, this call for more comprehensive sampling to separate possible confounding site effects.

The quantification of soil structure is primordial to determine the effects of management practices on soil environment. Soil structure is influenced by soil organic carbon content (SOC), which is usually recognised as one of the main indicator of soil fertility as it improves structure stability. Complex interactions link the soil structure and SOC that acts as a binding agent promoting aggregation. Several studies focussed on SOC dynamics and the relationship with soil aggregate microporosity, which is usually considered as a surrogate of the soil matrix complexity, neglecting the soil macropores outside aggregates. Therefore, the measures made at aggregate scale form only a small part of the important and complex properties of soil. Accordingly, it is important to quantify the effects that SOC exerts both is soil aggregates and undisturbed cores. The general aim of this work is to study the effects of different fertilisations (organic, mineral and mixed) applied to continuous maize by means of a long-term experiment established in 1962 in north-eastern Italy, analysing both small aggregates (few mm) and undisturbed soil cores (5 cm diameter, 6 cm length) with innovative three-dimensional techniques. The thesis is structured in five chapters. The first one is a review of the soil structure-SOC interactions and innovative three-dimensional methods involved in soil structure quantification. The second chapter analyses the effects of SOC and its humic fraction on the mechanisms of aggregate breakdown and improves upon the knowledge of aggregate structural properties. The third chapter compares and combines mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and X-ray computer assisted microtomography (micro-CT) for characterising the soil structure. The fourth chapter analyses the 3D soil structure of undisturbed soil cores and the effects of SOC. The final chapter presents the general conclusions of the work.<br>La quantificazione della struttura del suolo è di primaria importanza per determinare gli effetti di diverse pratiche colturali sul terreno. La struttura è influenzata dal contenuto di carbonio organico (SOC), il quale è ampiamente identificato come il principale indicatore della fertilità del suolo, anche grazie alle sua attitudine di migliorarne la struttura fisica. Le interazioni che legano la struttura al SOC sono complesse e principalmente legate alla capacità di agire come agente aggregante tra le particelle che compongono la matrice del suolo. Molti studi si sono concentrati sulle dinamiche che legano il SOC e la microporosità degli aggregati (che è riconosciuta come un surrogato della complessa struttura del suolo) trascurando, in questo modo, la macroporosità, la quale non è individuabile in campioni di piccole dimensioni. Le misure fatte a scala di aggregato, perciò, ricoprono solo una parte delle importanti e complesse proprietà di un suolo. Di conseguenza è importante valutare l’effetto che esercita il SOC sia in piccoli aggregati che in campioni indisturbati. L’obiettivo generale di questo lavoro è valutare gli effetti di diversi regimi di fertilizzazione (organica, minerale e mista) in una prova di lungo periodo, iniziata nel 1962, gestita secondo una monosuccessione di mais. Sono stati analizzati sia aggregati di piccole dimensioni (pochi mm), che campioni indisturbati (5 cm di diametro, 6 cm di altezza), con innovative tecniche tridimensionali. La tesi è strutturata in cinque capitoli: il primo è una review sulle interazioni struttura del suolo-SOC e sulle tecniche tridimensionali utilizzate per la quantificazione della struttura. Il secondo capitolo analizza gli effetti del SOC e delle frazioni umiche sulla stabilità di struttura degli aggregati, individuando inoltre un nuovo meccanismo, legato alla diversa distribuzione della porosità, finora non considerato. Il terzo capitolo confronta e combina la porosimetria a intrusione di mercurio e la microtomografia a raggi X per la caratterizzazione della struttura. Il quarto capitolo analizza tridimensionalmente la struttura di campioni indisturbati e gli effetti del SOC sulla struttura stessa. Infine, l’ultimo capitolo riporta le conclusioni generali del lavoro.

Les sols de montagne représentent d'importants réservoirs de carbone (C) potentiellement vulnérables aux changements climatiques et changements d'usage qui les affectent de manière amplifiée. Or la grande variabilité de ces milieux, leur faible accessibilité ainsi que le manque d'outils de mesure appropriés limitent nos connaissances qui restent aujourd'hui très fragmentaires en ce qui concerne les stocks, la chimie et la réactivité du carbone organique des sols (COS). Ces informations sont pourtant nécessaires pour appréhender l'évolution de ces sols et de leur C dans ce contexte de changements globaux. Les objectifs de ce travail de thèse étaient (i) d'accéder à une meilleure compréhension de la nature, de la stabilité et de la vulnérabilité du COS dans une mosaïque d'écosystèmes des Préalpes calcaires (massif du Vercors), (ii) de rechercher des outils de caractérisation rapides et fiables adaptés à l'étude et au suivi du COS à l'échelle du paysage, et enfin (iii) de proposer des indices pour l'évaluation et le suivi de la qualité des sols en milieu de montagne. Dans un premier temps, nous avons testé l'application de la pyrolyse Rock-Eval pour l'étude du COS à grande échelle sur un ensemble d'unités écosystémiques. Nous avons ensuite comparé la pyrolyse Rock-Eval à deux techniques classiques d'étude de la matière organique du sol (MOS) : le fractionnement granulodensimétrique de la MOS et la spectroscopie moyen infrarouge. Ces approches analytiques couplées nous ont permis de quantifier les stocks de C à l'échelle de la zone d'étude et d'expliquer la stabilité et la vulnérabilité du COS sous des angles variés. Les facteurs responsables des patrons observés dans les différentes unités écosystémiques sont discutés. Ce travail a également confirmé la pertinence de l'outil Rock-Eval pour répondre aux objectifs fixés. Parallèlement, des approches biologiques nous ont permis d'évaluer l'importance de la composante microbienne dans ces sols. Enfin, des indices évaluant le statut organique des sols (stockage de COS, fertilité des sols, vulnérabilité du COS) sont proposés pour constituer des outils de gestion et d'aide à la décision<br>Mountain soils are major reservoirs of carbon (C), potentially vulnerable to climate and land use changes that affect them significantly. However, the great variability of these soils, their limited accessibility and the lack of appropriate measurement tools restrict our knowledge. Today, our comprehension of the biogeochemistry of mountain soils remains very incomplete regarding stocks, chemistry and reactivity of soil organic carbon (SOC). Yet this information is necessary to understand the evolution of soil carbon in the current context of global change. The objectives of this work were (i) to gain a better understanding of the nature, stability and vulnerability of SOC in a mosaic of ecosystems in a calcareous massif in the Alps (Vercors massif), (ii) to search for fast and reliable characterization tools, suitable for the study and monitoring of COS at the landscape scale, and (iii) to propose indicators for the assessment and monitoring of soil quality in mountain regions. As a first step, we tested the application of Rock-Eval pyrolysis for the study of COS at large-scale on a set of ecosystem units. Then, we compared the Rock-Eval approach to two conventional techniques for soil organic matter (SOM) study: the particle-size fractionation of SOM, and the mid-infrared spectroscopy. These coupled analytical approaches allowed us to quantify C stocks across the study area, and explain the stability and the vulnerability of COS at various angles. Factors responsible for the patterns observed in the different eco-units are discussed. This work also confirmed the relevance of the Rock-Eval tool to achieve our previous objectives. Biological approaches allowed us to assess the significance of microbial pool in these soils. Finally, indices assessing the status of SOM (SOC storage, soil fertility, vulnerability COS) were proposed and constituted interesting management tools for decision-makers

Submitted by LUMA CASTRO DE SOUZA null (lumasouza30@hotmail.com) on 2017-03-22T13:39:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luma_Castro_de_Souza.pdf: 1962132 bytes, checksum: d9f166261796c44cf5d9fa2c419999e6 (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-03-22T19:35:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 souza_lc_dr_jabo.pdf: 1962132 bytes, checksum: d9f166261796c44cf5d9fa2c419999e6 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-22T19:35:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 souza_lc_dr_jabo.pdf: 1962132 bytes, checksum: d9f166261796c44cf5d9fa2c419999e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-16<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)<br>A operação de escarificação altera a estrutura do solo, afetando a dinâmica da emissão de CO2 do solo em curto período de tempo. Assim, com este estudo, objetivou-se: i - investigar a variação temporal da emissão de CO2 do solo após escarificação para o plantio da cana-de-açúcar em Latossolo e em Argissolo; ii - caracterizar a emissão de CO2, associada à distribuição de poros, em Latossolo e em Argissolo, submetidos à escarificação na linha de plantio e escarificação em área total para o plantio da cana-de-açúcar. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em parcelas grandes pareadas. Os tratamentos utilizados consistiram na escarificação na linha de plantio (ELP) e escarificação em área total (EAT), em Latossolo e em Argissolo, localizados nos municipios de Guariba e Monte Alto, respectivamente. Para atender ao primeiro objetivo, avaliaram-se a emissão de CO2, a temperatura do solo (Tsolo) e a umidade do solo (Usolo) ao longo de 12 dias no Latossolo e em 11 dias no Argissolo, na camada de 0-0,10 m de profundidade. No Latossolo, não foi observado correlação entre a emissão de CO2, tanto com a Usolo como para Tsolo. No Argissolo, a emissão de CO2 foi correlacionada à Usolo, tanto no solo sob ELP (R2 = 0,86) quanto no solo sob EAT (R2 = 0,58). As emissões totais de CO2 no período de estudo foram maiores no Latossolo, no solo sob escarificação em linha de plantio e em área total (ELP = 1,042.6 kg CO2 ha-1 e EAT = 1,336.3 kg ha-1 de CO2), e menores no Argissolo (ELP = 659,1 kg CO2 ha-1 e EAT = 702,8 kg CO2 ha-1). No Latossolo, a emissão de CO2 foi menor no solo sob preparo com escarificação somente na linha de plantio do que no solo sob preparo com escarificação em área total. No Argissolo, a emissão de CO2 não diferiu em função do preparo. Para atender ao segundo objetivo, além de avaliar a emissão de CO2, temperatura e umidade do solo, avaliaram-se também a distribuição do tamanho de poros, o carbono orgânico associado aos minerais (COAM) e o carbono orgânico particulado (COP) na camada de 0-0,10 m de profundidade. No Latossolo, somente as propriedades: emissão de CO2, COP e classe de poro C4 (ɸ ≤ 0,04 mm) diferiram em função da escarificação. O modelo de regressão múltipla explicou 72% da variabilidade da emissão de CO2 no solo submetido a ELP para o COAM e C2 (0,05 < ɸ ≤ 0,1 mm). No Argissolo, a emissão de CO2, temperatura, umidade do solo, COAM, COP e as classes de tamanho de poros não diferiram em função das escarificações. Na regressão múltipla, a umidade do solo, C1 (ɸ ≥ 0,1 mm) e o COAM explicaram, juntas, 82% da variabilidade da emissão de CO2 no solo sob ELP. No Latossolo, a escarificação em linha de plantio e em área total afetaram diretamente a estrutura do solo, causando mudanças na porosidade e alterações na emissão de CO2 do solo. No Argissolo, a escarificação em linha de plantio e em área total não afetaram a emissão de CO2.<br>The chiseling operations alters the soil structure and affects the dynamics of the soil CO2 emission in a short period of time. Thus, the aim of this study was to: i- Investigate the temporal variation of CO2 emission after chiseling for the planting of sugarcane in Latossolo and Argissolo, ii – Characterize and correlation the soil CO2 emission and pore distribution in Latossolo and Argissolo with chiseling at line and total area to sugarcane planting. The experimental design used was in paired large plots. The treatments consisted of chiseling at the planting line (ELP) and chiseling at total area (EAT) in Latossolo and Argissolo, located in the municipalities of Guariba and Monte Alto, respectively. In order to attend the first aim, the CO2 emission, temperature and soil moisture were observed for 11 and 12 days, respectively at Argissolo and Latossolo, in the 0-0.10 m depth layer. The Latossolo did not show relationship among CO2 emission, Usoil and Tsoil to both chiseling. However, the Argissolo showed a significant relationship between the CO2 emission and Usoil to both chiseling, ELP (R2 = 0.86) and EAT (R2 = 0.58). The total CO2 emission was higher at Latossolo in both chiseling (ELP = 1,042.6 kg CO2 ha-1 and EAT = 1,336.3 kg ha-1 CO2) when compared with the Argissolo (ELP = 659.1 kg CO2 ha-1 and EAT = 702.8 kg CO2 ha-1). In the Latossolo, CO2 emission was lower in the soil under preparation with chiseling only in the planting line than in the soil under preparation with chiseling in the total area. In the Argissolo, the CO2 emission did not differ according to the preparation. In order to attend the second aim, the CO2 emission, temperature and soil moisture were also observed. Moreover, the distribution of pores size, organic carbon associated with minerals (COAM) and particulate organic carbon (COP) were also evaluated, in the 0-0.10 m depth layer. To Latossolo, the CO2 emission, COP and the distribution of pores size (C4; ɸ ≤ 0.04 mm) had significate difference between the chiseling. The multiple regression model was able to explain 72% of the CO2 emission variability to COAM and C2 (0.05 <ɸ ≤ 0.1 mm) at soil under ELP. To Argissolo, the CO2 emission, temperature, soil moisture, COAM, COP and distribution of pores size were not different between the chiseling. The soil moisture, C1 (ɸ ≥ 0,1 mm) and COAM were able to explain 82% of CO2 emission variability at soil under ELP. Therefore, the chiseling affected the soil porosity and soil CO2 emission directly at Latossolo. However, the chiseling did not affect the soil CO2 emission at Argissolo.

The thesis is aimed at characterising the multi-scale and hydro-mechanical behaviour of lightly compacted silty sand penetrated by a turf-grass (Cynodon Dactilon). The study will allow better assessing the impact of vegetation on this compacted soil that has been used in an experimental and fully-instrumented embankment. The literature agrees that roots are enhancing soil shear strength properties while contrasting results have been found in terms of soil hydraulic behaviour. Moreover, there is a lack of information on how roots affect soil microstructure and its consequences at the macroscopic scale (soil hydraulic behaviour, volume change and shear strength properties). A protocol for soil compaction and roots growth was followed for preparing all the tested samples. The soil was lightly compacted, wetted under unconfined conditions to favour plant growth, and then dried up to different hydraulic states. The same soil, plant and seeding density used in the monitored embankment were adopted. Several techniques were exploited to characterise roots geometrical and mechanical features. Large cell triaxial and direct shear tests were performed under saturated and partially saturated conditions. Different stress-strain responses were observed in the vegetated soil at different hydraulic states, due to different roots failure mechanisms and to the combination of water availability and the suction within the soil. Results were interpreted with several constitutive stress expressions for partially saturated soils to consider these state and stress variables. Larger compression deformations on shearing were systematically observed on rooted samples. Roots slightly affected the friction angle but generated an increase in soil cohesion. These observations were confirmed by direct tensile tests performed at different roots growth stages and hydraulic states. A constitutive expression was proposed to predict the increase in cohesion knowing the properties of roots and the soil hydraulic state. Concerning the hydraulic behaviour, roots induced a systematic increase in soil water-saturated permeability. Water retention properties were also affected, with a decrease in the retention capacity as roots volume increased. Micro-CT tomography and mercury intrusion porosimetry were carried out at different soil hydraulic states on samples including plant individuals to obtain information about changes in soil microstructure. Reconstructed information from the two techniques showed that roots were generally increasing macropores (larger than 100 micrometres) due to fissuring and soil-root interface phenomena while reducing smaller pores (below 5 micrometres) due to mucilage clogging. The opening of fissures was enhanced on concurrent soil and roots shrinkage upon drying. The alterations generated by roots growth on the soil structure allowed explaining not only the different soil hydraulic responses but also the soil volume change behaviour. A good agreement between the volume of fissures and the volume of roots was found and allowed calibrating and validating a model able to predict the soil water retention properties and permeability values based on the microstructural changes observed. Results were used to simulate the effect of different periods of plants growth on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of the monitored embankment during a rainfall event. The vegetated slopes remained stable throughout the simulation, even when completely saturated, thanks to the mechanical reinforcement of the roots. Nevertheless, the higher permeability within the vegetated soil had a negative consequence, which was evidenced by a drastic drop in the slope stability safety factor at the early stages of the hydraulic event.<br>La tesis tiene como objetivo caracterizar el comportamiento hidromecánico de una arena limosa compactada y con raíces (Cynodon Dactilon). El estudio ha permitido evaluar el impacto de la vegetación en este suelo, que ha sido utilizado en un terraplén experimental. El estado de arte indica que las raíces mejoran las propiedades de resistencia al corte de un suelo, mientras que hay resultados contrastantes en términos del comportamiento hidráulico. Además, se carece de información sobre cómo las raíces afectan a la microestructura del suelo y sus consecuencias a escala macroscópica. Se siguió un protocolo para la compactación del suelo y el crecimiento de las raíces para la preparación de todas las muestras estudiadas. El suelo se compactó ligeramente, se humedeció en condiciones no confinadas para favorecer el crecimiento de la planta, y luego se secó a diferentes estados hidráulicos. Se utilizaron varias técnicas para caracterizar las propiedades geométricas y mecánicas de las raíces. Se realizaron ensayos de corte directo, edométricos y triaxiales con equipos de grandes dimensiones. Se observaron diferentes respuestas de tensión-deformación en el suelo con vegetación debido a los diferentes mecanismos de rotura de las raíces y a la combinación de humedad y de succión en el suelo. Los resultados se interpretaron con leyes constitutivas en términos de tensiones efectivas para suelos parcialmente saturados. En las muestras con raíces se observaron sistemáticamente deformaciones mayores de compresión durante el desarrollo del corte. Las raíces afectaron ligeramente el ángulo de fricción y desarrollaron un aumento en la cohesión del suelo. Estas observaciones también se confirmaron mediante ensayos de tracción, que se realizaron a diferentes estados de crecimiento de las raíces. Se propuso una expresión constitutiva para predecir el aumento de la cohesión en función de las propiedades de las raíces y el estado hidráulico del suelo. En cuanto al comportamiento hidráulico, las raíces inducen un aumento de la permeabilidad saturada del suelo y una disminución en la capacidad de retención al agua a medida que aumenta el volumen de las raíces en el suelo. Se realizaron ensayos de micro-tomografía de rayos X y de porosimetría de intrusión de mercurio sobre muestras con raíces. La información reconstruida de las dos técnicas ha indicado que las raíces han inducido el aumento de los poros de más de 100 micrómetros debido a la generación de fisuras y a fenómenos de interfase suelo-raíz, a la vez que han ocluido los poros más pequeños (menores de 5 micrómetros) debido a la producción de mucílago. Las fisuras también se han abierto por la retracción simultánea del suelo y de las raíces durante el secado. Estas alteraciones inducidas sobre la microestructura han permitido explicar mejor los cambios en las propiedades hidráulicas y de cambio de volumen del suelo. Se ha encontrado una relación entre el volumen de fisuras y el volumen de raíces, lo que ha permitido desarrollar y calibrar un modelo capaz de predecir las propiedades de retención al agua y los valores de permeabilidad del suelo. Los resultados experimentales se han utilizado para simular el efecto que tiene los diferentes crecimientos de las plantas sobre el comportamiento hidromecánico del terraplén instrumentado durante un episodio de lluvia. Los taludes con raíces se mantuvieron estables a lo largo de la simulación, incluso cuando estaban completamente saturados, gracias al refuerzo mecánico de las raíces. Sin embargo, la mayor permeabilidad del suelo vegetado tuvo una consecuencia negativa, que se evidenció con una drástica caída en el factor de seguridad del talud en las primeras etapas del episodio de lluvia.<br>La thèse vise à caractériser le comportement multi-échelles et hydro-mécanique du sable silteux pénétré par des racines de Cynodon Dactilon. L'étude permettra d’évaluer l'impact de la végétation sur ce sol compacté utilisé dans un remblai expérimental en extérieur. La littérature s'accorde à dire que les racines améliorent les propriétés de résistance au cisaillement du sol, tandis que des résultats contrastés ont été obtenus en ce qui concerne leur effet sur le comportement hydraulique. De plus il existe peu d'information sur la façon dont les racines affectent la microstructure du sol et leurs conséquences à l'échelle macroscopique. Un protocole de compactage du sol et de croissance de racines a été suivi pour la préparation de tous les échantillons testés. Le sol a été légèrement compacté, mouillé pour favoriser la croissance des plantes, puis séché jusqu'à différents états hydrauliques. Les plantes et la densité d'ensemencement ont été les mêmes que ceux utilisés dans le remblai. Plusieurs techniques ont été exploitées pour évaluer les caractéristiques géométriques et mécaniques des racines. Des essais de cisaillement triaxial et direct ont été effectués avec des équipements de grande dimension dans des conditions saturées et partiellement saturées. Différentes réponses de contraintedéformation ont été observées pour le sol végétalisé à différents états hydrauliques, en raison de différents mécanismes de rupture des racines. Les résultats ont été interprétés à l'aide de plusieurs lois de comportement pour les sols partiellement saturés afin de tenir compte des variables d'état et de stress. Des déformations de compression plus importantes lors du cisaillement ont été observées sur des échantillons avec racines. Les racines ont généré une augmentation de la cohésion du sol. Ces observations ont été confirmées par des essais de traction directe effectués à différents stades de croissance des racines. Une loi de comportement a été proposée pour prédire l'augmentation de la cohésion en connaissant les propriétés des racines et l'état hydraulique du sol. En ce qui concerne le comportement hydraulique, les racines ont induit une augmentation de la perméabilité saturée en eau du sol et une diminution de la capacité de rétention à mesure que le volume des racines augmentait. La tomographie microCT et la porosimétrie par intrusion de mercure ont été effectuées à différents états hydrauliques du sol sur des échantillons avec racines pour obtenir des informations sur les changements de la microstructure du sol. L'information reconstruite à partir des deux techniques a montré que les racines augmentaient généralement les macropores (plus de 100 micromètres) en raison de phénomènes de fissuration et des interfaces sol-racine tout en réduisant les pores plus petits (moins de 5 micromètres) en raison du colmatage dû au mucilage. L'ouverture des fissures a été augmentée par le retrait simultané du sol et des racines lors du séchage. Les altérations générées par la croissance des racines sur la structure du sol ont permis d'expliquer les différentes réponses hydrauliques du sol et aussi son changement de volume. Un bon accord entre le volume des fissures et le volume des racines a été trouvé et a permis de calibrer et de valider un modèle capable de prédire les propriétés de rétention d'eau et les valeurs de perméabilité du sol à partir des changements microstructurels observés. Les résultats ont été utilisés pour simuler l'effet de différentes périodes de croissance des plantes sur le comportement hydro-mécanique du remblai lors d'une chute de pluie. Les pentes végétalisées sont restées stables tout au long de la simulation, même complètement saturées, grâce au renforcement mécanique des racines. Néanmoins, la perméabilité plus élevée dans le sol végétalisé a eu une conséquence négative, qui a été mise en évidence par une baisse drastique du facteur de sécurité de stabilité de la pente aux premiers stades de l'événement hydraulique.

This study compares four different methods to measure hydraulic conductivity (K) at two sites on the East Tennessee State University Valleybrook Campus. It compares the K values to each other, to the different K values between the two sites, and to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) K values. Two field methods, Well Bail Test and Auger Hole Test, and two lab methods, Constant Head Permeameter Test and Grain Size Distribution Test (GSD), were performed on the clay rich Ultisol soils on an East Tennessee hillslope in the Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province. One site was located close to a monitoring well and the other on the floodplain of an existing stream. The Hazen, Alyamani & Sen, and Slichter methods were used to compute K from the GSD Test. The Alyamani & Sen, Slichter, and permeameter methods produced similar K values ranging from 9.52 x 10-6 to 1.25 x 10-3 cm/sec. These are similar to the USDA K values ranging from 9.17 x 10-4 to 2.82 x 10-4 cm/sec. The Hazen method overestimated K and ranged from 8.10 x 10-3 to 1.09 x 10-1 cm/sec. The Well Bail Test yielded a lower K value (ranging from 8.16 x 10-9 to 1.19 x 10-8 cm/sec) than the USDA values as expected for water flow in deeper soil horizons at a depth of 8.50 meters. Comparing these values helped to better understand the difference between various methods to compute the hydraulic conductivity.

Raindrop kinetic energy and sheet flow can disintegrate aggregates during interrill erosion, a process responsible for non point source pollution. Also, the dissolution process during aggregate wetting can affect interrill erosion. These factors can be responsible for changes in particle size distribution in the sediment, especially when different tillage systems are compared. The effect of soil tillage and management on soil properties is not uniform, which determine a wide range of runoff and sediment delivery rate. Variety in these rates can be associated with pore functions and their interactions with aggregate stability. One of the objectives of this study was to analyze the wetting behavior of soil aggregates from soils under conventional tillage compared with soils under no tillage. It was expected that the wetting rate is a function of pore system and that different tillage systems would affect the soil wetting behavior based on their impact on soil structure and shape. The second objective was to analyze the relationships among soil wetting rate, particle movement, organic carbon (OC) and iron release with the sediment produced via interrill erosion. A rainfall simulation experiment was performed in the field to determine the effect of low and fast soil wetting on total soil loss through high and low kinetic rainfall energy, sediment particle size distribution and OC loss. Two soils that differed in soil textural composition and that were under conventional and no tillage were investigated. Soil loss depended largely on soil characteristics and wetting rate. Particle size distribution of sediment was changed by treatment and the proportion of particles smaller than 0.053 mm increased over time, at any kinetic energy wetting level. Temporal OC and iron release were constant, which required a continuous source principally due to aggregate slaking. An empirical model was proposed to improve an interrill erosion equation by using a bond-dissolution mechanism that identified soil as a regulator of particle release.

This thesis deals with the measurement of water content in soil using electrical impedance spectrometry. The aim is to characterize and determine the conditions of applicability of this method and of measuring apparatus with device Z-meter III for instance for the application of the field measurements of earth dams.

A wide majority of orchid populations are decreasing due to habitat fragmentation and to changes in land management. Population size, density and habitat quality are factors that are expected to be positively related to the viability and future growth of a population. We evaluated if population size, density and soil organic matter were good predictors of growth, survival, flowering, recruitment, and growth rate in 18 populations of the long-lived orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. We followed the populations for four years. Recruitment in 2020 increased with population size, and survival in 2018 was higher in denser populations. However, flowering probability and number of flowers both decreased with population size in 2018. Soil organic matter did not significantly influence any vital rate. In total, the studied population factors could explain very little of the variation in demography. The matrix modelling showed that 14 of the 18 populations had a positive stochastic growth rate, even with an increased probability of summer drought (scenario with 50% of the years equal to the dry summer of 2018). In the populations with negative growth rate, the probability of quasi-extinction in the next 50 years varied from 90 to 100%. Declining populations were characterized by low survival following the dry year. In sum, population size, density and soil organic matter did not convincingly explain variation in growth rate of G. conopsea, suggesting that other environmental factors are responsible of governing variation in vitals rates and population dynamics.

No Brasil pouco se estuda sobre as estratégias de amostragem em áreas com mais de um tipo de solo e várias feições de paisagem, estratégias estas, importantes para mapear a variabilidade espacial dos atributos físicos: frações granulométricas, como também a correlação destas com os parâmetros geomorfológicos: altitude e inclinação máxima da área amostrada da extensão multivariada da krigagem, a cokrigagem. Essa extensão multivariada permite a associação de duas variáveis dependentes gerarem novas informações correlacionadas através do modelo de variância cruzada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a correlação espacial entre a distribuição da fração granulométrica com os parâmetros de altitude e a inclinação máxima através de uma densidade amostral agregada (100x100 e 50x50m) com dois níveis de densidade amostral, 20x20 e 40x40m. O estudo se deu numa área de 180 ha, onde se coletou frações de solo numa grade amostral agregada, ou seja, um arranjo amostral 100x100m e três sub-grades de 50x50m distribuídas aleatoriamente na área. Foi realizada análise estatística descritiva dos dados processados no laboratório e a análise espacial através de modelos de variância. De posse dos modelos ajustados na análise dos variogramas, realizou a interpolação pela krigagem para as frações granulométricas e através dos variogramas cruzados pela cokrigagem, as correlações dessas frações com os dados, obtidos pelo modelo digital de elevação, da altitude e a inclinação máxima do terreno da área e comparada, através dos mapas, essas mesmas correlações em densidades amostrais diferentes. A partir dos modelos de mapas gerados, chegou aos seguintes resultados: houve uma moderada variabilidade das frações granulométricas e uma moderada dependência espacial. De acordo com os parâmetros da variância cruzada a distribuição espacial da fração areia correlacionada com a altitude e com a inclinação máxima não diferenciou significativamente em relação aos níveis de densidade amostral 20x20m e 40x40m, praticamente não houve correlação entre a fração areia e a altitude, pois não apresentou um padrão definido de distribuição espacial. Pode-se concluir que a declividade influenciou na distribuição dos atributos físicos do solo. Como também foi avaliada a disponibilidade hídrica na área do pivô da Fazenda, foi constatada a forte correlação do atributo argila+silte com a capacidade de água disponível (CAD), enfatizando a dependência da disponibilidade hídrica em relação aos atributos físicos do solo.<br>In Brazil, few studied are related about soil sampling strategies in areas with more than one type soil and various features of the landscape, these strategies are important to map the spatial variability of physical attributes: size fractions, as well as the correlation of these with geomorphologic parameters: altitude and maximum slope of the sampled area of the multivariate extension of kriging, cokriging. This extension allows multivariate combination of two dependent variables to generate new information correlated with the model cross variance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial correlation between the distribution of particle size fraction with the parameters of altitude and terrain slope through a maximum aggregate sample density (100x100 and 50x50m) with two levels of sample density, 20x20 and 40x40m. The study was an area of 180 ha, where fractions of collected soil at a sampling grid aggregate, ie an arrangement 100x100m sample and three sub-grids 50x50m randomly distributed in the area. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis of data processed in the laboratory and spatial analysis through models of variance. In possession of the adjusted models in the analysis of variogram for kriging interpolation performed for the fractions and through the variogram crossed by cokriging, the correlations of these fractions with the data obtained by digital elevation model, altitude and the maximum slope of the land area and compared, through maps, these same correlations in different sampling densities. From the models generated maps, it was reached the following results: there was a moderate variability in size fractions and a moderate spatial dependence. In accordance with parameters of cross (semi)variance the spatial distribution of the sand fraction correlated with altitude and the maximum slope did not differ significantly from the levels of sample density 20x20m and 40x40m, virtually no correlation between the sand fraction and altitude because it did not show a definite pattern of spatial distribution. It can be concluded that the slope influenced the distribution of soil physical attributes studieds. It was also quantified the water availability in the area under the center pivot equipment, it was found a strong correlation of the attribute clay + silt with TAW (total available water), emphasizing the dependence on water availability in relation to soil physical properties.

Soil seed banks are a reservoir of viable seeds present in the soil in plant communities. They have been studied and characterized in various ways in different habitats. However, these studies are limited to modern seed banks. This study extends seed bank studies to the Paleozoic Era. It was hypothesized that size distribution and seed density in Paleozoic seed banks exhibit similar patterns as in modern seed banks. Seed sizes and seed density of fossil seed from Wise Virginia were estimated. Modern seed bank information was obtained from published data. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. The Paleozoic size distribution was predominated by larger seeds and the estimated seed density of 19 200 seeds m-3 falls within the range of modern seed banks but at a higher end of modern seed bank densities. During the Paleozoic they were sufficient to insure regeneration of these economically important forests.

[Truncated abstract] Self-filtration is here defined as particle detachment and re-deposition causing re-arrangement of the particles and therefore pore space which affects water flow in soil by decreasing hydraulic conductivity. This is of particular important in soils which are susceptible to structural breakdown. The objective of this thesis was to examine the dynamics of the self-filtration process in sodic sandy soils as affected by ionic strength and soil solution composition. The temporal changes of hydraulic conductivity and the elution of fine particles from soil columns were used as the main criteria to assess selffiltration. Two porous media exhibiting significantly different structural cohesion were examined, one a loamy sand (Balkuling soil) from agricultural land use and the second a mining residue from mineral sands operations . . . The effects of the composition of mixed calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) ions in solution (sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)) on the exchange behaviour and saturated hydraulic conductivity were examined by carrying out batch binary exchange and saturated column transport experiments. A strong preference for Ca2+ ions in the exchange complex was observed for both soils. Generally K/Ko was found to decrease with increasing sodium adsorption ratio with the more structured Balkuling soil maintaining K/Ko for SARs 3 and 5 at an electrolyte concentration of 100 mmol/L. However measurements at the critical threshold and turbidity concentrations at a SAR of 15 revealed structural breakdown of the pore matrix system attributed to various extents of slaking, swelling, dispersion and decreases of pore radii as a result of selffiltration during leaching. These experiments illustrate the wide range of complex interactions involving clay mineralogy, solution composition and structural factors which can influence the extent of mobilization, transport and re-deposition of colloidal particles during the leaching process in soil profiles.

The aim of my Ph.D. work was to investigate sediment transport and nutrient content in runoff water from an agricultural system. The study was carried out in a representative sites of the Oltrepò Pavese, in Lombardy region (northern Italy) in a vineyard equipped with instruments for measuring volume and rate of runoff and collecting samples to determine the amount of soil loss related to each rainfall event. The site was equipped with a weather station, which included a recording rain gauge. The analysis was done under natural rainfall condition during the period December 2008 - December 2012, in which 15 rainfall events were recorded. The first step of the research was to equip the field plot with a collection system. An in-field runoff multislot collector, exploitable for monitoring nutrients, pesticides and sediments loadings in runoff, was installed in the field and was improved with a home made level reading system able to measure with high temporal resolution, the runoff rate variation. Subsequently every runoff event was investigated. Samples were taken and analysed for quantifying the sediments loaded from runoff event and the nutrient losses from the system. Samples were also analysed with a laser diffraction technique in order to characterize, in natural conditions, the distribution of sediment grain-size transported by rainfall runoff.

Phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in organisms’ adaptability to environmental change such as global warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions. One plastic response to increased temperatures is for organisms to shift their phenology. It is of great concern that the phenologies of interacting species, such as plants and pollinators, may be shifting at different rates, causing temporal mismatches, which for plants can lead to unsuccessful reproduction. The “reproductive assurance hypothesis” states that plants capable of self-pollination should be under high selection to employ this as their main reproductive strategy in the event of pollinator scarcity to ensure reproduction, and consequently invest less in attracting pollinators. This study examines how soil warming in the Hengill geothermal area in Iceland affects the flowering phenology, reproductive strategy and investment in attractiveness to pollinators in the self-compatible herb Cerastium fontanum (Caryophyllaceae), when grown in a common garden in Stockholm, Sweden. Previous research showed that C. fontanum from warmed soils flowered earlier in situ than plants from colder soils, and later when grown in a common environment. In this study, C. fontanum plants collected along a temperature gradient followed the same counter-gradient pattern, where plants from warmer soils flowered later than plants from colder soils. Soil temperature at site of origin positively affected flower number but had no effect on flower size, seed production from autogamous self-pollination or visitation rate. Based on my findings it does not appear that C. fontanum, despite having an earlier flowering phenology in situ, is under any selection to alter its reproductive strategy or investment in attractiveness to pollinators when grown in a common temperature, and therefore it seems unlikely that plants are experiencing a temporal mismatch with insect pollinators. However, it would be worthwhile to conduct a similar experiment in Iceland to better understand how an earlier flowering affects pollination systems.

This thesis is a comparative study of the life history strategies, and in particular seed germination requirements, in Australian species of the halophyte plant genus Frankenia L. (Frankeniaceae). Frankenia is a cosmopolitan genus that occurs in Mediterranean, semi-arid, and arid regions on distinctive soil types – commonly on saline, sodic or gypseous soils – in habitats such as coastal cliffs, and on the margins of salt lakes, salt-pans and saltmarshes (Summerhayes 1930; Barnsley 1982). The plants are small shrubs or cushion-bushes with pink, white or pale purple flowers, and salt-encrusted recurved leaves. This project investigates germination requirements for Frankenia in relation to seed age, light requirements, temperature preferences, salinity tolerance, and soil characteristics. It also explores two divergent reproductive strategies – notably seed packaging strategies – in relation to environmental variables. Within the 46 currently recognized endemic Australia species, some species have a few ovules per flower and produce only a few larger seeds per fruit, while other species have many ovules per flower and produce many small seeds per fruit. Large-seededness is thought to increase the probability of successful seedling establishment in drought and salt-stressed environments. As both larger- and smaller-seeded species of Frankenia co-occur in close geographical proximity, hypotheses regarding the advantages of large-seededness in stress environments can be tested. By restricting the analysis of seed mass variation to similar habitats and within a single plant genus, it is possible to test ecological correlates that would otherwise be masked by the strong effects of habitat differences and phylogenetic constraints. Overall, larger-seeded Frankenia species were demonstrated to be advantageous for rapid germination after transitory water availability, and for providing resources to seedlings if resources became limiting before their successful establishment. Smaller-seeded species delayed germination until both soil-water availability and cooler temperatures persisted over a longer time period, improving chances of successful establishment for the more slowly growing seedlings that are more reliant on their surroundings for resources. This study produces information on the seed and seedling biology of many Australian species of Frankenia including several that are of conservation significance, e.g. F. crispa with its isolated populations, and the rare and endangered F. plicata. This information is important for the development of conservation management plans for these and other arid zone, halophyte species. In addition, the results of this study are of practical significance in determining the suitability of Frankenia for inclusion in salinity remediation and mine-site rehabilitation projects, and for promoting Frankenia as a drought and salt tolerant garden plant.

Alguns dos mais freqüentes parâmetros utilizados como indicadores de qualidade do solo são: resistência tênsil de agregados (RT); densidade do solo (Ds); textura e curva de retenção de água do solo (CRAS). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e desenvolver métodos para a determinação destes parâmetros e testar o uso de condicionadores químicos na redução do caráter coeso de solos, propondo alterações que tornem esses parâmetros mais precisos. Para RT foi proposto o uso do dinamômetro IMPAC, como equipamento alternativo ao KALATEC. Foram utilizados agregados (diâmetro 22,2 mm) do horizonte diagnóstico de um ARGISSOLO ACINZENTADO coeso, localizados em Pacajus-CE. Na determinação da Ds, avaliou-se a viabilidade do uso de um verniz automotivo como revestimento, substituto à resina saran na impermeabilização de agregados. Foram realizados ensaios preliminares para estabilidade desses agregados, número de imersões no verniz e tempo de secagem. Para validação da metodologia foram utilizados, além dos solos coesos e não coesos de Pacajus-CE, outros cinco solos, coletados em Piracicaba-SP. Na seleção da metodologia para análise granulométrica (AG) foram testados seis métodos: hidrômetro (com uma e quatro leituras); pipeta; micro-pipeta; método rápido e o do IAC, em 20 amostras de TFSA dos horizontes A e/ou B provenientes de 16 perfis de solos representativos dos estados de Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul, com teores de argila entre 6 e 81 %. A comparação entre os métodos supracitados foi realizada com base em: ajuste por regressão linear entre as frações granulométricas determinadas pelo método da pipeta versus os demais; mudanças na classe textural indicadas no triângulo textural; e o melhor ajuste entre a fração argila e a umidade do solo retida na tensão 1500 kPa. Dados de retenção da água no solo, obtidos a partir do equipamento WP4-T, foram ajustados pelo modelo proposto em Genuchten (1980). Para avaliar o uso de condicionadores químicos na redução do caráter coeso de solos, a partir de medidas da RT, foram testados dois polímeros aniônicos (PAM). No Brasil, utilizaram-se os agregados coesos de Pacajus-CE, nos quais aplicou-se PAM por capilaridade. Na Austrália, usaram-se agregados de um solo hardsetting e o PAM foi aplicado com spray (líquido) ou a lanço (sólido), combinado com condicionadores a base de cálcio (sulfato e cloreto). Os valores da RT determinados por ambos os equipamentos (IMPAC e KALATEC) não diferiram entre si. No entanto, o IMPAC reduziu em quase 50 % o tempo de análise, com exatidão e precisão satisfatórias, o que reitera sua viabilidade em substituir o KALATEC. Os resultados da Ds demonstraram que o verniz automotivo Lazzudur é uma excelente alternativa à resina saran, além de reduzir o custo e o tempo de análise. Com relação à escolha do método para AG, a comparação entre os métodos mostrou que o do hidrômetro com uma leitura como uma alternativa viável, devido a sua simplicidade nos procedimentos de análises. A aplicação de PAM nos agregados dos solos coesos de Pacajus-CE não diminuiu a sua RT, sugerindo-se a redução das taxas aplicadas. A aplicação de PAM combinado com gesso refletiu na melhoria da qualidade física dos solos coesos da Austrália, reduzindo os valores da RT desses solos.<br>Some of the most common parameters used as indicators of soil quality are tensile strength of aggregates (TS), bulk density (Bd), texture and soil water retention curve (SWRC). The aims of this work were to: (i) evaluate and develop methods for determining these parameters; (ii) test the use of the chemical conditioners in reducing the character of cohesive soil. The less expensive IMPAC dynamometer was proposed to TS analysis, as alternative equipment to KALATEC. Aggregates (22.2 mm diameter) from cohesive soil Ultisol, located in northeast of Brazil were used. The feasibility of using automotive varnish to coat soil clods for bulk density measurement was evaluated for replacing SARAN resin. Preliminary tests were conducted to determine the clod stability, the number of immersions of clod in the varnish and drying time of the varnish. To confirm this methodology, clods of the cohesive and not cohesive Ultisol soil from northeast of Brazil and the other five soils from southern of Brazil were used. Six methods were evaluated for measuring particle size analysis (PSA): Hydrometer (with one and four readings); pipette, micro-pipette, \"rapid method\" and IAC method (Brazilian institute) using 20 samples of the A and/or B horizons of air dried soil from 16 soil profiles more significant of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul States, with clay range from 6 to 81 %. The comparison among these methods was conducted by: fitting linear regression between the pipette method versus the other; changing in textural class in the textural triangle; and the best fitting between fraction clay and soil moisture hold in 1500 kPa tension. Soil water retention data by WP4-T equipment were fitted by the model proposed in Genuchten (1980). Changes of TS of the cohesive soil after treatment with two kinds of anionic polymer (PAM) were investigated. In Brazil, clods from northeast were used and the PAM was applied by capillarity in the laboratory. In Australia, clods of a hardsetting soil were used and the PAM was applied by spray (liquid) or spread (solid), besides of conditioners based calcium (chloride and sulfate). No significant difference was detected at TS values determined by both of equipments tested. However, IMPAC equipment reduced time of analysis by almost 50%, with high accuracy, as a result it can replace the KALATEC equipment. Bulk density data showed that the automotive varnish is an excellent alternative to SARAN resin. The simpler procedure for determination of PSA was the hydrometer method (one reading), consequently, it was preferred than the other. The application of PAM at cohesive soils, from northeast of Brazil, did not reduce TS due to the high PAM concentration used in this study. This result suggests to need to reduce PAM rates. Gypsum an

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:06:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 beraldo_jmg_dr_jabo.pdf: 1719744 bytes, checksum: a27050b0770082469a896d7df06651eb (MD5)<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)<br>O sistema de semeadura direta (SSD) proporciona melhores condições físicas do solo favorecendo o armazenamento de água no solo (ARM). A hipótese do trabalho foi que o Latossolo Vermelho argiloso, em sequências de culturas de verão e inverno sob SSD afeta o ARM em decorrência da modificação nos atributos físicos do solo e que o tensiômetro de punção digital (TDig) pode ser usado para medir o potencial mátrico da água no solo. Os objetivos foram avaliar o ARM e os atributos físicos do solo em sequências de culturas de verão e de inverno sob SSD e medir o potencial mátrico da água no solo por meio do tensiômetro de mercúrio e do TDig. O delineamento foi em blocos, com três repetições, no esquema em faixas. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três sequências de culturas de verão (rotação soja/milho e monocultura de milho e soja) e sete culturas de inverno (milho, girassol, nabo forrageiro, milheto, guandu, sorgo e crotalária). Foram instalados tensiômetros nas camadas de 0,2; 0,4 e 0,6 m. Foi determinada a densidade do solo, a distribuição de poros por tamanho nas camadas de 0-0,1 e 0,1-0,2 m e a infiltração de água na superfície do solo. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. O TDig pode ser usado para avaliar o potencial mátrico da água no solo. O ARM não diferiu entre as sequências de culturas de verão e nas culturas de inverno houve diferença, principalmente após período de menor disponibilidade hídrica. A densidade e a porosidade do solo não foram influenciadas pelas culturas de verão e inverno. O diâmetro de poros entre 0,075 - 0,05 e 0,03 - 0,0375 mm na camada de 0,0-0,1 m diferiu entre as sequências de verão. A distribuição de poros por tamanho não foi influenciada pelas sequências de culturas de inverno. A maior infiltração de água no solo ocorreu na parcela sob monocultura de soja<br>No tillage system provides soil physical properties improvements, and soil water storage. The hypothesis of this study was that a Red Latosol (Oxisol), in summer and winter crops sequences under no-tillage system, can have its soil water storage influenced by changes in soil physical properties and digital tensiometer can be used to measure soil water matric potential. This study aimed to measure the soil matric potential using both mercury and digital tensiometers and to evaluate the soil water storage and physical properties on summer and winter crops sequences under no-tillage system. A completely randomized block was designed with three replications on a strips plan. The treatments were the combination of three summer crops sequences (soybean/maize rotation, corn and soybean monocultures) and seven winter crops (maize, sunflower, oilseed radish, millet, pigeon pea, sorghum and sunn hemp). Tensiometers were installed at a depth of 0.20; 0.40; 0.60 meters. Bulk density and pores distribution curves were determined from layers 0-0.1 and 0.1-0.2 depth and water infiltration at the soil surface. The data were submitted to variance analysis and means were compared by the Tukey test. The hypothesis was confirmed, therefore digital tensiometer can be used to measure soil water matric potential. The results showed no difference regarding soil water storage in summer crops sequences, especially after a period associated with lower water availability. Soil porosity and bulk density were not influenced by summer and winter crops sequences. The results indicated that the pores with diameter between 0,075 - 0,05 e 0,03 - 0,0375 mm from layer 0-0.1 m differed on summer crops sequences. No difference was observed by pores distribution curves between summer and winter crops sequences. The largest water infiltration occurred under the soybean monocultures plot

Le traitement des sols est une technique connue qui a largement été utilisée dans les constructions ferroviaires et routières. Il améliore la maniabilité des sols en réduisant la teneur en eau et en améliorant les performances hydromécaniques par renforcement et lien des agrégats du sol. Cependant, la durabilité des sols traités reste une question ouverte, elle constitue l'objectif principal du projet ANR TerDOUEST (Terrassements Durables – Ouvrages en Sols Traités, 2008-2012).La présente étude fait partie des travaux réalisés dans le cadre du projet TerDOUEST, et traite de l'effet de la taille des agrégats sur l'évolution de la raideur (Gmax) des sols fins provenant d'Héricourt (70) et traités à la chaux et/ou au ciment, à l'aide de la technique piézo-électrique (bender element). Dans les conditions de laboratoire, quatre tailles d'agrégats ont été étudiées (Dmax = 0.4, 1, 2 et 5 mm). Afin d'obtenir des tailles d'agrégats souhaitées, les sols ont d'abord été séchés, broyés puis tamisés à une taille désirée. Les sols ont ensuite été ramenés à la teneur en eau souhaitée, mélangés au liant hydraulique (chaux et/ou ciment) puis compactés du côté sec et du côté humide de l'optimum du Proctor normal, tout en conservant la même densité sèche. Les mesures de Gmax des sols traités ont été réalisées pendant la cure et pendant l'application de cycles humidification/séchage. Dans les conditions du terrain, qui correspondent au remblai expérimental d'Héricourt, les tailles des agrégats sont nettement plus élevées : Dmax = 20 et 31.5 mm pour le limon et l'argile, respectivement. Les résultats montrent que le comportement hydromécanique des sols traités est fortement influencé par la taille des agrégats, que les sols soient argileux ou limoneux, préparés en laboratoire ou bien dans les conditions du terrain : plus la taille des agrégats est élevée, plus la raideur diminue avec le temps de cure et moins les sols résistent à la succession de cycles humidification/séchage. Une forte hétérogénéité des sols in-situ a aussi été identifiée clairement. Un modèle hyperbolique a été développé afin de permettre l'application des résultats obtenus en laboratoire à ceux obtenus dans des conditions de terrain, étant donné l'effet de la taille des agrégats. La comparaison entre le modèle de prédictions et les mesures expérimentales démontre la performance du modèle proposé, à condition d'utiliser les valeurs moyennes des données expérimentales afin de minimiser l'effet de l'hétérogénéité du sol<br>Soil treatment is a well known earthwork technique which has been widely used in constructions of railway and highway substructures. It can improve the workability of soils by lowering their water contents and improve the hydro-mechanical performance by reinforcing and binding the soil grains/aggregates. However, the durability of the treated soils is still an open question. It constitutes the main objective of the ANR project TerDOUEST (Terrassements Durables - Ouvrages en Sols Traités, 2008 - 2012).The present study is part of the works in TerDOUEST project, and deals with the aggregate size effect on the stiffness (Gmax) development of lime and/or cement treated fine-grained soils from Héricourt using bender element technique. In the laboratory conditions, four aggregates sizes were accounted for (Dmax = 0.4, 1, 2 and 5 mm). To prepare an aggregate size, the soils were first air-dried, crushed and sieved through a target sieve. The soils were then brought to a desired water content, mixed with additive (lime and/or cement) and compacted both dry and wet of optimum of normal Proctor by keeping the same dry density. The Gmax measurements were performed during curing and during application of wetting/drying cycles. In field conditions that refer to the experimental embankment in Héricourt, the aggregates size is significantly larger: Dmax = 20 mm and 31.5 mm for the silt and the clay, respectively. Cores samples were taken from the embankment at two different times and the Gmax measurements on core specimens were performed. The results show that the hydromechanical behaviour of the cementitious treated soils is strongly influenced by the aggregates size for the treated silt and clay prepared in both laboratory and field conditions: the larger the aggregates, the lower the Gmax and the resistance to wetting/drying cycles. The high heterogeneity of the in-situ soils was also clearly identified. A hyperbolic model was developed enabling up-scaling the results in laboratory conditions to those in field conditions by considering the effect of aggregate size. Comparison between the model predictions and experimental measurements shows the performance of the model proposed, provided that the mean values of experimental data are used to minimize the effect of soil heterogeneity

<p>The project was conducted on a small-scale catchment at Goedertrou in the Riebeek- Kasteel district. The focus of this study was to address some of the hydrological processes active in the research catchment, namely infiltration, run-off and sediment mobilisation on different soil types. It was done to investigate the origin of Berg River pollutants. To answer the overall question about what influence the natural salt load of the Berg River, a number of subprojects have been identified, one of which is to understand the hydrological processes in the soil mantle and vadose zone. Hence, the study aimed to answer the research questions mentioned and discussed in section 1.3 of Chapter 1. Considering the results, it could be suggested that decayed root systems from the rows of plants, soil cracks, small channels and openings created by small animals, as well as slope orientation and, therefore, soil composition, all played a major role in influencing the ability of the soil to absorb the simulated rainfall. In this study, the factors that influenced run-off are micro topography, soil moisture, root system, animal activities in soil profile, soil crack dimensions and the hydraulic conductivity. The main factors that played a major role to influence sediments mobilisation are strongly believed to be the micro topography within the ring, slope gradient and length, vegetation cover and rainfall-simulation intensity. After using different techniques, the results show that farmers must be aware that with storm rainfall, particles smaller than 65 &mu<br>m are subject to mobilisation. It is important to let land-users know that they need proper and appropriate methods for land-use.</p>

Les systèmes agroforestiers stockent du carbone dans la biomasse des arbres. Cependant leur intérêt ne se limite pas à ce carbone stocké sous forme de bois. En effet, les arbres produisent de grandes quantités de litières, et apportent également du carbone dans les horizons profonds du sol par la mortalité et l’exsudation racinaire. Or, les sols agricoles, ayant de très faibles teneurs en matière organique, ont un potentiel de stockage en carbone bien plus important que les sols forestiers. A ce jour, il n’existe pratiquement pas de travaux permettant d’avoir une estimation de l’impact des arbres agroforestiers sur le carbone du sol. La plupart des études sont en effet menées sur le stockage de carbone dans la biomasse aérienne des arbres. Une étude a ainsi estimé qu’en climat tempéré et pour des densités comprises entre 50 et 100 arbres/ha, le stockage de carbone serait compris entre 1.5 et 4 tC/ha/an, ce qui est très important comparé au potentiel de stockage d’autres systèmes de culture. On se propose donc dans ce travail de contribuer significativement à la connaissance sur les possibilités de stockage de C dans les sols en agroforesterie. Tout d’abord, nous quantifierons les stocks de C dans les parcelles agroforestières et les comparerons aux témoins agricoles. Nous étudierons également l’hétérogénéité spatiale de ces stocks, sous la ligne d’arbres ou sous la culture intercalaire, et ce à différentes profondeurs. Dans un deuxième temps, nous étudierons les entrées de carbone au sol, notamment via la mortalité racinaire des arbres. Puis, nous étudierons les processus liés à la stabilisation de ce carbone dans les horizons profonds du sol. Enfin, nous chercherons à savoir si l’apport de carbone frais dans les horizons du sol ne pourrait pas entraîner une minéralisation d’une partie du carbone stable du sol, phénomène connu sous le nom du priming effect, et qui pourrait jouer un rôle non négligeable dans le bilan de carbone de ces systèmes. La modélisation sera utilisée afin d’estimer le stockage de carbone sur le long terme. L’étude sera menée dans un contexte de système de culture méditerranéen, sur un site expérimental d’exception. L’analyse mécaniste fournira le cadre conceptuel pour la compréhension de la dynamique du C dans d’autres systèmes agroforestiers à l’avenir<br>Agroforestry is a land use type where trees are associated with crops and/or animals within the same field. This agroecosystem could help mitigating climate change, and also contribute to its adaptation. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate the potential of soil organic carbon storage under agroforestry systems. This study was performped at the oldest experimental site in France, a trial supervised by INRA since 1995, but also at farmers' fields. Soil organic carbon stocks were compared between agroforestry and agricultural plots, down to 2 m soil depth. All organic inputs to the soil were quantified (tree roots, leaf litter, crop roots and residues). The stability of additionnal stored carbon was caracterised with soil organic matter fractionation, and soil incubations. A model of soil organic carbon dynamic was described in order to better undrestand this dynamic in agroforestry, especially in deep soil layers. This study revealed the interest and the potential of agroforestry systems in increasing soil organic carbon stocks, with accumulation rates of 0.09 to 0.46 t C ha -1 yr -1. It also reveals the role of tree rows in this storage, and the importance of carbon inputs from root mortality. However, it raises concerns about the stability of this storage

Diploma thesis documents the problems of soil quality, which is assessed on the basis of physical, chemical or biological indicators of soil quality. The paper describes the various indicators, its methodology and evaluation. In the practical part evaluates the quality of soil cultivated with the traditional way - using plowing. The experimental area, where the samples were taken from the soil, lies in the Olomouc region in the municipality Šumvald. Evaluated were selected physical, chemical and physico-chemical properties of soil, e.g. particle size distribution, bulk density, porosity, air capacity, hydrolimits, pH, carbonates, humus content and salinity of the soil.