Water erosion significantly affects soil properties, yet comparative studies between different soil types are limited. This study examines the impact of erosion on the physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of Chernozems and Cambisols in the South Moravian and Vysočina regions of the Czech Republic. We combined field sampling, laboratory analysis, and geospatial modeling to identify erosion, transition, and deposition zones on slopes. Soil samples were collected from these zones in both soil types and analyzed for particle size distribution, organic carbon content, humus quality, stability of aggregates, pH, nutrient levels, enzyme activities, and glomalin content. Chernozems showed more pronounced differences between the erosion and deposition zones, particularly in organic matter content, nutrient levels, and enzyme activities. Cambisols exhibited different patterns, with less pronounced differences between the zones, except for humic substances and cellulase activity. Chernozems had higher carbonate content and pH in erosion areas, while Cambisols showed an opposite trend. These differences relate to both substrate and slope shape: concave–convex for Chernozems and convex to convex–concave for Cambisols. The findings highlight the importance of considering soil type and topography in erosion studies and have significant implications for tailored soil management and erosion control strategies in different agricultural landscapes.

The agricultural landscape of the Czech Republic is facing climate change, and drought is among the most severe stress factors. Thousands of small ponds and naturally wet areas have been drained and transformed into agricultural parcels. Their restoration could increase the landscape’s resilience to climate change. Therefore, we describe the possibility of using hyperspectral aerial surveying for the identification of waterlogged areas in the agricultural landscape based on the example of one of the warmest and driest regions of the Czech Republic—the South Moravian region, an area where water retention in the landscape is highly relevant. Within our study, a total of 33 spectral indices related to the waterlogging of soil selected from previous studies were evaluated. The maximum entropy model (MAXENT) was used in the analysis of these indices. The analysis, which was carried out in several locations during different periods of the year (spring and autumn), shows the varying applicability of individual groups of indices. Regardless of the season, chlorophyll-based indices (MCARI—31.8, CARI—26.3, TCARI2—24.3 average percentage contribution) made the most significant contribution to the creation of probability maps of the occurrence of waterlogged areas. However, more accurate results could be achieved in the spring period by using the NVI index (40.5 average percentage contribution). The results show that remote sensing could be used for the identification of waterlogged sites, especially for initial identification, which should then be confirmed by field survey. Furthermore, the research points out the role of the LAI and chlorophyll content. According to the NVI, low LAI contributes the most to the probability of occurrence in the spring season, while chlorophyll-based indices prove to be the best, contributing high values, which is rather contradictory but could be resolved only by subsequent field research.

Evaluating erosion processes and their influence on soil degradation over extensive agricultural landscape is difficult. Because of the need for analysis and mapping of this problem, we elaborated a procedure applicable to a specific, intensively farmed, erosion-threatened chernozem area of CZ or similar regions. The aim of the research was to verify the possibility of digital aerial image analysis, along with a control study of soil sampling. To define and compare the boundaries and extent of erosion and deposition processes, we used images from two different years, showing changes in soil degradation. Orthorectification and unsupervised image classification were followed by interpretation and statistical evaluation. The results, locating erosional, transitional and depositional areas, were verified in laboratory analysis of soil samples for selected soil characteristics. Comparison of aerial images showed changes in the agricultural landscape over 35 years, showing an increase of ca. 60% in erosional areas. Extensive changes also occurred in transitional and depositional areas as material from the subsoil horizon of erosional areas covered some depositional areas. Importantly, our research confirmed the potential of digital aerial image analysis as a method of studying soil erosion over extensive landscape, and the possibility of using it in planning anti-erosion measures. GA

Erosion in intensively farmed landscapes threatens above- and below-ground biodiversity. While impacts on soil physical and chemical properties (which affect soil inhabiting biota) are well documented, effects on ground-associated fauna (distribution, diversity, abundance) remain less understood. A likely very strong factor is the direct transport of epigeon together with the eroded soil. We assessed how water-erosion processes shape communities of epigeic invertebrates along agricultural slopes in the Chernozem region of South Moravia (Czech Republic). Ground-dwelling invertebrates were sampled over five years (May–September) in conventionally managed maize fields using pitfall traps across 18 sloping fields. Three slope positions were compared per field (control, erosional, depositional; 54 positions in total). Community patterns were evaluated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis with covariates (month, year, slope position, site), and species responses to key drivers were analysed using Generalised Additive Models. Across the full dataset, Shannon diversity and species richness did not differ significantly among slope positions; however, total invertebrate abundance was significantly lower in erosional parts. Interannual variation was pronounced and linked to precipitation: wet conditions increased diversity and richness at depositional positions, whereas dry conditions reduced diversity downslope. Ordination and GAM results identified erosion intensity and relative precipitation/temperature anomalies as important predictors, with most dominant species showing higher abundances under low to moderate erosion. These findings indicate that epigeic invertebrate communities along slopes can serve as indicators of erosion force.