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Spatial heterogeneity of soil properties plays a major role in regulating ecosystem structure and functioning. In general, soil resources accumulate beneath woody plant-covered patches more than in the open interspace, making them function as fertility islands. Whilst wildfire is a common disturbance, little information is available on the role of particular plant species in maintaining soil fertility underneath in areas that are subjected to recurrent fires. This is an important issue given that land abandonment, together with a warmer and drier climate, is increasing fire danger in regions such as the Mediterranean. We determined whether increasing fire frequency, producing changes from a Quercus ilex L., woodland to a shrubland, modifies the effect of woody plant canopy on soil fertility. Additionally, the effect of fire history on species-specific leaf and litter nutrient concentration was assessed. Areas affected by none, one, two or three fires were selected. Within each area, soil fertility was measured underneath Cistus ladanifer L., Retama sphaerocarpa L., Phillyrea angustifolia L. and Quercus ilex canopies and in open interspace. Unburned soils located underneath P. angustifolia and Q. ilex canopies were significantly more fertile than in open interspaces. The microsite effect on soil fertility was fire frequency dependent. As fire frequency increased, the plant canopy microsite effect decreased for soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total C, P, Ca, K and Mg, labile phosphate, arylsulfatase and acid phosphatase activities. Total N, ammonium, nitrate and β-glucosidase activity decreased with increasing fire frequency, but their spatial variability was maintained along all fire frequency scenarios. Fire frequency decreased foliar N concentration but increased P concentration in some species, leading to a decrease in their N:P ratio. Our findings suggest that soil fertility heterogeneity will be reduced with increasing fire frequency. This could compromise the recovery of soil and ecosystem functioning.
M. Belén Hinojosa; Enrique Albert-Belda; Beatriz Gómez-Muñoz; José M. Moreno. High fire frequency reduces soil fertility underneath woody plant canopies of Mediterranean ecosystems. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 752, 141877 .
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, Enrique Albert-Belda, Beatriz Gómez-Muñoz, José M. Moreno. High fire frequency reduces soil fertility underneath woody plant canopies of Mediterranean ecosystems. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 752 ():141877.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; Enrique Albert-Belda; Beatriz Gómez-Muñoz; José M. Moreno. 2020. "High fire frequency reduces soil fertility underneath woody plant canopies of Mediterranean ecosystems." Science of The Total Environment 752, no. : 141877.
Increasing urbanization worldwide calls for more sustainable urban development. Simultaneously, the global biodiversity crisis accentuates the need of fostering biodiversity within cities. Policies supporting urban nature conservation need to understand people's acceptance of biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management. We surveyed more than 2,000 people in 19 European cities about their attitudes toward near‐natural urban grassland management in public greenspaces, and related their responses to nine sociocultural parameters. Results reveal that people across Europe can support urban biodiversity, yet within the frames of a generally tidy appearance of public greenery. Younger people and those using greenspaces for a greater variety of activities were more likely to favor biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management. Additionally, people who were aware of the meaning of biodiversity and those stating responsibility for biodiversity conservation particularly supported biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management. Our results point at explicit measures like environmental education to increase public acceptance of policies that facilitate nature conservation within cities.
Leonie K. Fischer; Lena Neuenkamp; Jussi Lampinen; Maria Tuomi; Josu G. Alday; Anna Bucharova; Laura Cancellieri; Izaskun Casado‐Arzuaga; Natálie Čeplová; Lluïsa Cerveró; Balázs Deák; Ove Eriksson; Mark D. E. Fellowes; Beatriz Fernandez DE Manuel; Goffredo Filibeck; Adrián González‐Guzmán; M. Belen Hinojosa; Ingo Kowarik; Belén Lumbierres; Ana Miguel; Rosa Pardo; Xavier Pons; Encarna Rodríguez‐García; Roland Schröder; Marta Gaia Sperandii; Philipp Unterweger; Orsolya Valkó; Víctor Vázquez; Valentin H. Klaus. Public attitudes toward biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management in Europe. Conservation Letters 2020, 13, 1 .
AMA StyleLeonie K. Fischer, Lena Neuenkamp, Jussi Lampinen, Maria Tuomi, Josu G. Alday, Anna Bucharova, Laura Cancellieri, Izaskun Casado‐Arzuaga, Natálie Čeplová, Lluïsa Cerveró, Balázs Deák, Ove Eriksson, Mark D. E. Fellowes, Beatriz Fernandez DE Manuel, Goffredo Filibeck, Adrián González‐Guzmán, M. Belen Hinojosa, Ingo Kowarik, Belén Lumbierres, Ana Miguel, Rosa Pardo, Xavier Pons, Encarna Rodríguez‐García, Roland Schröder, Marta Gaia Sperandii, Philipp Unterweger, Orsolya Valkó, Víctor Vázquez, Valentin H. Klaus. Public attitudes toward biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management in Europe. Conservation Letters. 2020; 13 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonie K. Fischer; Lena Neuenkamp; Jussi Lampinen; Maria Tuomi; Josu G. Alday; Anna Bucharova; Laura Cancellieri; Izaskun Casado‐Arzuaga; Natálie Čeplová; Lluïsa Cerveró; Balázs Deák; Ove Eriksson; Mark D. E. Fellowes; Beatriz Fernandez DE Manuel; Goffredo Filibeck; Adrián González‐Guzmán; M. Belen Hinojosa; Ingo Kowarik; Belén Lumbierres; Ana Miguel; Rosa Pardo; Xavier Pons; Encarna Rodríguez‐García; Roland Schröder; Marta Gaia Sperandii; Philipp Unterweger; Orsolya Valkó; Víctor Vázquez; Valentin H. Klaus. 2020. "Public attitudes toward biodiversity‐friendly greenspace management in Europe." Conservation Letters 13, no. 4: 1.
The effects of drought on soil dynamics after fire are poorly known, particularly its longer‐term (i.e., years) legacy effects once rainfall returns to normal. Understanding this is particularly important for nutrient‐poor soils in semi‐arid regions affected by fire, in which rainfall is projected to decrease with climate change. Here, we studied the effects of post‐fire drought and its legacy on soil microbial community structure and functionality in a Cistus‐Erica shrubland (Spain). Rainfall total and patterns were experimentally modified to produce an unburned control (natural rainfall) and four burned treatments: control (natural rainfall), historical control (long‐term average rainfall), moderate drought (percentile 8 historical rainfall, five months of drought per year), and severe drought (percentile 2, seven months of drought). Soil nutrients and microbial community composition (ester‐linked fatty acid approach) and functionality (enzyme activities and C mineralization rate) were monitored during the first four years after fire under rainfall treatments, plus two additional ones without them (six post‐fire years). We found that the recovery of burned soils was lower under drought. Post‐fire drought increased nitrate in the short‐term and reduced available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, soil organic matter, enzyme activities and carbon mineralization rate. Moreover, drought decreased soil total microbial biomass and fungi, with bacteria becoming relatively more abundant. Two years after discontinuing the drought treatments, the drought legacy was significant for available phosphorus and enzyme activities. Although microbial biomass did not show any drought legacy effect, the proportion of fungi and bacteria (mainly Gram‐positive) did, being lower and higher, respectively, in former drought‐treated plots. We show that drought has an important impact on soil processes, and that some of its effects persist for at least two years after the drought ended. Therefore, drought and its legacy effects can be important for modeling biogeochemical processes in burned soils under future climate change. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
María Belén Hinojosa; Vito Armando Laudicina; Antonio Parra; Enrique Albert‐Belda; José Manuel Moreno. Drought and its legacy modulate the post‐fire recovery of soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland. Global Change Biology 2019, 25, 1409 -1427.
AMA StyleMaría Belén Hinojosa, Vito Armando Laudicina, Antonio Parra, Enrique Albert‐Belda, José Manuel Moreno. Drought and its legacy modulate the post‐fire recovery of soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland. Global Change Biology. 2019; 25 (4):1409-1427.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Belén Hinojosa; Vito Armando Laudicina; Antonio Parra; Enrique Albert‐Belda; José Manuel Moreno. 2019. "Drought and its legacy modulate the post‐fire recovery of soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland." Global Change Biology 25, no. 4: 1409-1427.
José Luis Vicente Vicente; Beatriz Gómez Muñoz; M. Belen Hinojosa; Pete Smith; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. Carbon saturation and assessment of soil organic carbon fractions in Mediterranean rainfed olive orchards under plant cover management. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 2017, 245, 135 -146.
AMA StyleJosé Luis Vicente Vicente, Beatriz Gómez Muñoz, M. Belen Hinojosa, Pete Smith, Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. Carbon saturation and assessment of soil organic carbon fractions in Mediterranean rainfed olive orchards under plant cover management. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 2017; 245 ():135-146.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé Luis Vicente Vicente; Beatriz Gómez Muñoz; M. Belen Hinojosa; Pete Smith; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. 2017. "Carbon saturation and assessment of soil organic carbon fractions in Mediterranean rainfed olive orchards under plant cover management." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 245, no. : 135-146.
Fire may cause significant alterations in soil properties. Post-fire soil dynamics can vary depending, among other factors, on rainfall patterns. However, little is known regarding variations in response to post-fire drought. This is relevant in arid and semiarid areas with poor soils, like much of the western Mediterranean. Furthermore, climate change projections in such areas anticipate reduced precipitation and longer annual drought periods, together with an increase in fire severity and frequency. This research evaluates the effects of experimental drought after fire on soil dynamics of a Cistus-Erica shrubland (Central Spain). A replicated (n=4) field experiment was conducted in which the total rainfall and its patterns were manipulated by means of a rain-out shelters and irrigation system. The treatments were: environmental control (natural rainfall), historical control (average rainfall, 2months drought), moderate drought (25% reduction of historical control, 5months drought) and severe drought (45% reduction, 7months drought). After one growing season under these rainfall treatments, the plots were burned. One set of unburned plots under natural rainfall served as an additional control. Soils were collected seasonally. Fire increased soil P and N availability. Post-fire drought treatments reduced available soil P but increased N concentration (mainly nitrate). Fire reduced available K irrespective of drought treatments. Fire reduced enzyme activities and carbon mineralization rate, a reduction that was higher in post-fire drought-treated soils. Fire decreased soil microbial biomass and the proportion of fungi, while that of actinomycetes increased. Post-fire drought decreased soil total microbial biomass and fungi, with bacteria becoming more abundant. Our results support that increasing drought after fire could compromise the resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems to fire.
M. Belén Hinojosa; Antonio Parra; Vito Armando Laudicina; José M. Moreno. Post-fire soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland subjected to experimental drought. Science of The Total Environment 2016, 573, 1178 -1189.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, Antonio Parra, Vito Armando Laudicina, José M. Moreno. Post-fire soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland subjected to experimental drought. Science of The Total Environment. 2016; 573 ():1178-1189.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; Antonio Parra; Vito Armando Laudicina; José M. Moreno. 2016. "Post-fire soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland subjected to experimental drought." Science of The Total Environment 573, no. : 1178-1189.
Olive groves are dominant in the eastern part of Andalusia (Spain) and therefore any change in their management can have a significant environmental impact. The management of olive tree pruning (burning in field versus crushing and amendment in the soil) can affect nitrogen and carbon dynamics in soils. In this study CO2 production, magnitude of priming effect and the dynamics of available nitrogen during the decomposition of: i) unburned pruning, and ii) remains resulting from the burning of pruning (ash and biochar) were evaluated in two soils of contrasting soil organic carbon levels. The residence time of biochar refractory carbon exceeded 13 years whereas for unburned pruning it was longer than 2.7 years. There was no priming effect when ash or biochar were applied to soils. However, the priming effect was positive when the soils were amended with unburned pruning and it was significantly correlated with water-soluble carbon. Ash or biochar did not change the amount of available nitrogen in the soil. Nevertheless, the amendment of unburned pruning reduced the levels of available nitrogen (from 91.9 to 21.8 μg NO3−–N g−1 to 55.6 and 8.3 in the soils of high and low soil organic carbon respectively) and increased soil nitrogen retention, at least temporarily. As a strategy of soil organic carbon accumulation, the amendment of unburned pruning was significantly more effective (≈819 kg C ha−1 year−1) than that of biochar and ash resulting from burned pruning (≈19 kg C ha−1 year−1).
Beatriz Gómez Muñoz; J.D. Valero-Valenzuela; M.B. Hinojosa; R. García-Ruiz. Management of tree pruning residues to improve soil organic carbon in olive groves. European Journal of Soil Biology 2016, 74, 104 -113.
AMA StyleBeatriz Gómez Muñoz, J.D. Valero-Valenzuela, M.B. Hinojosa, R. García-Ruiz. Management of tree pruning residues to improve soil organic carbon in olive groves. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2016; 74 ():104-113.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Gómez Muñoz; J.D. Valero-Valenzuela; M.B. Hinojosa; R. García-Ruiz. 2016. "Management of tree pruning residues to improve soil organic carbon in olive groves." European Journal of Soil Biology 74, no. : 104-113.
Beatriz Gómez Muñoz; M. Belen Hinojosa; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. In situ net N mineralisation and nitrification under organic and conventionally managed olive oil orchards. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2015, 101, 223 -239.
AMA StyleBeatriz Gómez Muñoz, M. Belen Hinojosa, Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. In situ net N mineralisation and nitrification under organic and conventionally managed olive oil orchards. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2015; 101 (2):223-239.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Gómez Muñoz; M. Belen Hinojosa; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz. 2015. "In situ net N mineralisation and nitrification under organic and conventionally managed olive oil orchards." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 101, no. 2: 223-239.
M. Belén Hinojosa; Antonio Parra; David A. Ramírez; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruiz; José M. Moreno. Effects of drought on soil phosphorus availability and fluxes in a burned Mediterranean shrubland. Geoderma 2012, 191, 61 -69.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, Antonio Parra, David A. Ramírez, José A. Carreira, Roberto García-Ruiz, José M. Moreno. Effects of drought on soil phosphorus availability and fluxes in a burned Mediterranean shrubland. Geoderma. 2012; 191 ():61-69.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; Antonio Parra; David A. Ramírez; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruiz; José M. Moreno. 2012. "Effects of drought on soil phosphorus availability and fluxes in a burned Mediterranean shrubland." Geoderma 191, no. : 61-69.
This report shows notable improvements of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties after long-term soil application of olive mill pomace compost. About four million tons of olive mill pomace is produced annually in Andalusia, Spain. Olive mill pomace is a main by-product of the olive oil extraction industry. Composting is a promising strategy to manage the huge volume of this potentially environmentally harmful pomace. Converting olive mill pomace into a useful soil amendment in semiarid Mediterranean areas of olive oil farms, characterized by low organic matter content and subjected to progressive degradation, would be valuable. There is actually no data on the long-term effects of composted olive mill pomace application on soil physicochemical and biochemical properties. However, this information is needed to encourage the composting of this pomace. Here, a field study evaluated soil fertility and soil capacity to degrade organic compounds after the application of composted olive mill pomace. Olive groves received compost annually for 3, 4, 9, and 16 years. Soils were sampled and compared to olive groves without compost application. Soil physico-chemical properties and soil enzyme activities such as acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, protease, invertase, and dehydrogenase, were analyzed. Our results show that soil organic matter, nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, aggregate stability, and exchangeable potassium were between 1.4 and 3.3 times higher in the compost-treated farms. Soil enzyme activities in soils treated with compost was between 180% and 420% higher than in untreated soils. Moreover, there was a clear trend of increasing soil fertility and enzyme activities with years of compost application. Here, we conclude that the addition of composted olive mill pomace to olive groves markedly improved soil quality.
Roberto García-Ruiz; M Victoria Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa; Beatriz Gómez Muñoz. Improved soil quality after 16 years of olive mill pomace application in olive oil groves. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2012, 32, 803 -810.
AMA StyleRoberto García-Ruiz, M Victoria Ochoa, M. Belen Hinojosa, Beatriz Gómez Muñoz. Improved soil quality after 16 years of olive mill pomace application in olive oil groves. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2012; 32 (3):803-810.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberto García-Ruiz; M Victoria Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa; Beatriz Gómez Muñoz. 2012. "Improved soil quality after 16 years of olive mill pomace application in olive oil groves." Agronomy for Sustainable Development 32, no. 3: 803-810.
Re-vegetation of trace element contaminated soils can alter the pH and chelating capacity in the rhizosphere, increasing the mobility of pollutants, which, in turn, may impact on rhizosphere ecology. In this study a short-term pot experiment was carried out in order to investigate the multi-factorial effects of: buffering capacity (sandy-loam and loam soils); pollutant load (0%, 1.3%, and 4% of pyrite sludge), and the presence/absence of plant (Lolium perenne L. and Medicago sativa L.) on the mobility of trace elements, soil biochemical functionality (hydrolase activities), and biological diversity (bacterial and nematode communities). The experiment was carried out with representative soils from the Guadiamar basin (SW Spain), an area where the Aznalcóllar mining spill affected over 4000ha. Results indicated that the development of rhizospheres in polluted soils (coarse-textured) increases the mobilization of trace elements. In general the presence of roots has stimulatory effects on soil quality indicators such as hydrolase activities and both bacterial and nematode communities. However, the presence of high amount of metals interferes with these beneficial effects. This study provided evidence about the complexity of the impact of growing plants on trace element polluted soils. Trace element mobilization, hydrolase activities and bacterial and nematode communities in the rhizosphere are dependent on plant species, soil type, and pollution dose.
M. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruíz; José M. Rodríguez-Maroto; Tim J. Daniell; Bryan S. Griffiths. Plant treatment, pollutant load, and soil type effects in rhizosphere ecology of trace element polluted soils. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2010, 73, 970 -981.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, José A. Carreira, Roberto García-Ruíz, José M. Rodríguez-Maroto, Tim J. Daniell, Bryan S. Griffiths. Plant treatment, pollutant load, and soil type effects in rhizosphere ecology of trace element polluted soils. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2010; 73 (5):970-981.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruíz; José M. Rodríguez-Maroto; Tim J. Daniell; Bryan S. Griffiths. 2010. "Plant treatment, pollutant load, and soil type effects in rhizosphere ecology of trace element polluted soils." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 73, no. 5: 970-981.
The aim of this chapter is to combine perspectives developed in soil ecology, microbiology and biochemistry into a common framework for evaluating the health of soils polluted with heavy metals. The use of microbial properties as indicators of soil health has been promoted by the recent development of effective methods for studying the diversity and functioning of microorganisms. Some of the strengths and weaknesses of these methodological approaches are discussed here. In addition, examples of their application to evaluate the health of heavy metal polluted soils are used to summarize the main results obtained so far on microbial function and community structure. The study of soil resilience, which has recently been proposed as a promising indicator of soil health, can also guide us in the successful remediation of heavy metal polluted soils. This and other future challenges are discussed in this chapter.
M. Belén Hinojosa; Roberto García-Ruiz; José A. Carreira. Utilizing Microbial Community Structure and Function to Evaluate the Health of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils. Soil Biology 2009, 185 -224.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, Roberto García-Ruiz, José A. Carreira. Utilizing Microbial Community Structure and Function to Evaluate the Health of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils. Soil Biology. 2009; ():185-224.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; Roberto García-Ruiz; José A. Carreira. 2009. "Utilizing Microbial Community Structure and Function to Evaluate the Health of Heavy Metal Polluted Soils." Soil Biology , no. : 185-224.
The worldwide phenomenon of shrub encroachment in grass‐dominated dryland ecosystems is commonly associated with desertification. Studies of the purported desertification effects associated with shrub encroachment are often restricted to relatively few study areas, and document a narrow range of possible impacts upon biota and ecosystem processes. We conducted a study in degraded Mediterranean grasslands dominated by Stipa tenacissima to simultaneously evaluate the effects of shrub encroachment on the structure and composition of multiple biotic community components, and on various indicators of ecosystem function. Shrub encroachment enhanced vascular plant richness, biomass of fungi, actinomycetes and other bacteria, and was linked with greater soil fertility and N mineralization rates. While shrub encroachment may be a widespread phenomenon in drylands, an interpretation that this is an expression of desertification is not universal. Our results suggest that shrub establishment may be an important step in the reversal of desertification processes in the Mediterranean region.
Fernando T. Maestre; Matthew A. Bowker; María D. Puche; M. Belen Hinojosa; Isabel Martínez; Pablo Garcia-Palacios; Andrea P. Castillo; Santiago Soliveres; Arantzazu Luzuriaga; Ana M. Sánchez; José A. Carreira; Antonio Gallardo; Adrián Escudero. Shrub encroachment can reverse desertification in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands. Ecology Letters 2009, 12, 930 -941.
AMA StyleFernando T. Maestre, Matthew A. Bowker, María D. Puche, M. Belen Hinojosa, Isabel Martínez, Pablo Garcia-Palacios, Andrea P. Castillo, Santiago Soliveres, Arantzazu Luzuriaga, Ana M. Sánchez, José A. Carreira, Antonio Gallardo, Adrián Escudero. Shrub encroachment can reverse desertification in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands. Ecology Letters. 2009; 12 (9):930-941.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando T. Maestre; Matthew A. Bowker; María D. Puche; M. Belen Hinojosa; Isabel Martínez; Pablo Garcia-Palacios; Andrea P. Castillo; Santiago Soliveres; Arantzazu Luzuriaga; Ana M. Sánchez; José A. Carreira; Antonio Gallardo; Adrián Escudero. 2009. "Shrub encroachment can reverse desertification in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands." Ecology Letters 12, no. 9: 930-941.
Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; V. Ochoa; B. Viñegla; M. Belen Hinojosa; Reyes Peña Santiago; G. Liébanas; J.C. Linares; J.A. Carreira. Soil enzymes, nematode community and selected physico-chemical properties as soil quality indicators in organic and conventional olive oil farming: Influence of seasonality and site features. Applied Soil Ecology 2009, 41, 305 -314.
AMA StyleRoberto Garcia-Ruiz, V. Ochoa, B. Viñegla, M. Belen Hinojosa, Reyes Peña Santiago, G. Liébanas, J.C. Linares, J.A. Carreira. Soil enzymes, nematode community and selected physico-chemical properties as soil quality indicators in organic and conventional olive oil farming: Influence of seasonality and site features. Applied Soil Ecology. 2009; 41 (3):305-314.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberto Garcia-Ruiz; V. Ochoa; B. Viñegla; M. Belen Hinojosa; Reyes Peña Santiago; G. Liébanas; J.C. Linares; J.A. Carreira. 2009. "Soil enzymes, nematode community and selected physico-chemical properties as soil quality indicators in organic and conventional olive oil farming: Influence of seasonality and site features." Applied Soil Ecology 41, no. 3: 305-314.
There is growing interest in the applications of soil enzymes as early indicators of soil quality change under contrasting agricultural management practices. However, despite there being an abundant literature on this subject, most comparative assessments have been based on a limited number of experimental farms and, therefore, conclusions are not as robust as desired. In this study, we compare 18 pairs of organic and neighbouring conventional olive orchards in southern Spain. These sites were selected to allow the definition of the relative contributions of site-landscape features, soil type, and time since organic accreditation and tillage intensity, on the soil quality. Soils were analysed for physico-chemical properties, the activities of dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, arylsulphatase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, and potential nitrification. The geometric mean of the assayed enzymes (GMea) was validated with an independently performed Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and used as a combined soil quality index. The effects of tillage intensity and time since organic accreditation on the improvement of soil quality were also evaluated within the subset of organic farms. Overall for the 18 sites, contrasted management practices did not differ in their impact on basic soil physico-chemical properties, except for loss of on ignition and available inorganic N which were higher and lower in organic farms, respectively. Organic management resulted in significantly higher soil enzyme activities. However, differences were not significant in some of the paired comparisons when considered individually. This highlights the need for extensive comparative assessment, as in this study, to draw clear conclusions concerning the changes to soil quality under sustainable management practices. The GMea was significantly correlated with the first axis of the PCA and shown to be appropriate for condensing the set of soil enzyme values to a sole numerical value. Soil quality changes in organic versus conventional farms, as measured by the GMea, ranged from −23% to 97%, and was highly dependent on time since organic accreditation (r = 0.88; P < 0.01). On the other hand, tillage intensity clearly tended to delay any progress in soil quality in the organic farms.
Roberto García-Ruiz; Victoria Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa; Jose Antonio Carreira. Suitability of enzyme activities for the monitoring of soil quality improvement in organic agricultural systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2008, 40, 2137 -2145.
AMA StyleRoberto García-Ruiz, Victoria Ochoa, M. Belen Hinojosa, Jose Antonio Carreira. Suitability of enzyme activities for the monitoring of soil quality improvement in organic agricultural systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2008; 40 (9):2137-2145.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberto García-Ruiz; Victoria Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa; Jose Antonio Carreira. 2008. "Suitability of enzyme activities for the monitoring of soil quality improvement in organic agricultural systems." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40, no. 9: 2137-2145.
Soil biogeochemical functions in flood-plains are controlled mainly by interactions between river flooding dynamics and vegetation change. This generates a pattern of landscape cross-sectional and longitudinal heterogeneity in texture, microtopography and plant cover. Agricultural uses restrain such mechanisms, eliminating the mosaic of soil environments and vegetation patches in natural flood-plains. The ecological restoration performed in ca. 5000 ha of agricultural lands in the Guadiamar river basin (SW Spain), affected by the Aználcollar mine spill in 1998 (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn-rich pyritic sludge), has focused on the re-creation of those controlling mechanisms (enhancement of the natural river flooding dynamics and patchy afforestation). We have studied temporal trends, and the role of specific habitats differentiation in the river terraces, on the recovery of the soil biochemical status in the emerging ecosystems. During 2000–2004, the geometric mean of enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease, arylsulfatase, acid and alkaline phosphatase) increased three-fold in the most-impacted, coarser textured, upper-watershed soils; and by six-fold in less polluted, loamy soils at the mid-watershed. In 2005, sampling was stratified by microhabitats at two representative watershed sections. Vegetation cover-type and transport/sedimentation processes are the main driving forces increasing both the mean value and intra-site spatial heterogeneity of soil properties (especially enzyme activities) in reclaimed areas. In the wet season, soil enzyme activity under adult trees (holm-oaks and Eucaliptus), and in spots where silt and plant residues had accumulated during previous floodings, was more than 50% higher than in bare areas. However, activities were strongly inhibited in eroded areas where pollutant residues appeared in the surface. Woody patches and the grassy matrix of revegetated areas showed distinctive soil N features. Specific plant species effects were observed, such as a generally high enzymatic activity in soils under Tamarix gallica.
J.A. Carreira; B. Viñegla; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; V. Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa. Recovery of biochemical functionality in polluted flood-plain soils: The role of microhabitat differentiation through revegetation and rehabilitation of the river dynamics. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2008, 40, 2088 -2097.
AMA StyleJ.A. Carreira, B. Viñegla, Roberto Garcia-Ruiz, V. Ochoa, M. Belen Hinojosa. Recovery of biochemical functionality in polluted flood-plain soils: The role of microhabitat differentiation through revegetation and rehabilitation of the river dynamics. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2008; 40 (9):2088-2097.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ.A. Carreira; B. Viñegla; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; V. Ochoa; M. Belen Hinojosa. 2008. "Recovery of biochemical functionality in polluted flood-plain soils: The role of microhabitat differentiation through revegetation and rehabilitation of the river dynamics." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 40, no. 9: 2088-2097.
A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the response of soil enzyme activities (acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, urease and dehydrogenase) to different levels of trace elements pollution in soils representative of the area affected by the pyrite sludge mining spill of Aznalcóllar (Guadiamar basin, SW Spain). Three uncontaminated soils from the study area were mixed with different loads of pyrite sludge to resemble field conditions and criteria applied for reclamation practices following the pollution incident: 0% (“reference” or background level), 1.3% (“attention level”, further monitoring required), 4% (“intervention level”, further cleaning and liming required) and 13% (ten times the “attention level”). Enzyme activities were analysed 4, 7, 14, 21, 34 and 92 days after pollutant addition and those measured after 92 days were used to calculate the ecological dose value (ED50). Soil enzyme activities and pH decreased after the pyrite sludge addition with respect to the “reference level” (0% pyrite sludge), whereas soil bioavailable (DTPA-extractable) trace elements concentration increased. Arylsulfatase, β-glucosidase and phosphatase activities were reduced by more than 50% at 1.3% pyrite sludge dose. Arylsulfasate was the most sensitive soil enzyme (in average, ED50 = 0.99), whereas urease activity showed the lowest inhibition (in average, ED50 = 7.87) after pyrite sludge addition. Our results showed that the ecological dose concept, applied to enzyme activities, was satisfactory to quantify the effect of a multi-metalic pollutant (pyrite sludge) on soil functionality, and would provide manageable data to establish permissible limits of trace elements in polluted soils. Additionally, we evaluate the recovery of enzyme activities after addition of sugar-beet lime (calcium carbonate) to each experimentally polluted soil. The amount of lime added to each soil was enough to raise the pH to the original value (equal to control soil), resembling field remediation practices. After lime amendment, soil recovery was still incomplete in terms of bioavailable trace elements. However, the recovery of soil enzyme activities varied widely, ranging from 0 to 100% depending on soil type and the specific enzyme.
M. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; José M. Rodríguez-Maroto; Roberto García-Ruíz. Effects of pyrite sludge pollution on soil enzyme activities: Ecological dose–response model. Science of The Total Environment 2008, 396, 89 -99.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, José A. Carreira, José M. Rodríguez-Maroto, Roberto García-Ruíz. Effects of pyrite sludge pollution on soil enzyme activities: Ecological dose–response model. Science of The Total Environment. 2008; 396 (2-3):89-99.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; José M. Rodríguez-Maroto; Roberto García-Ruíz. 2008. "Effects of pyrite sludge pollution on soil enzyme activities: Ecological dose–response model." Science of The Total Environment 396, no. 2-3: 89-99.
Heavy metal pollution of soil is of concern for human health and ecosystem function. The soil microbial community should be a sensitive indicator of metal contamination effects on bioavailability and biogeochemical processes. Simple methods are needed to determine the degree of in situ pollution and effectiveness of remediating metal-contaminated soils. Currently, phospholipid-linked fatty acids (PLFAs) are preferred for microbial profiling but this method is time consuming, whereas direct soil extraction and transesterification of total ester-linked fatty acids (ELFAs) is attractive because of its simplicity. The 1998 mining acid–metal spill of >4000 ha in the Guadiamar watershed (southwestern Spain) provided a unique opportunity to study these two microbial lipid profiling methods. Replicated treatments were set up as nonpolluted, heavy metal polluted and reclaimed, and polluted soils. Inferences from whole community–diversity analysis and correlations of individual fatty acids with metals suggested Cu, Cd, and Zn were the most important in affecting microbial community structure, along with pH. The microbial stress marker, monounsaturated fatty acids, was significantly lower for reclaimed and polluted soil over nonpolluted soils for both PLFA and ELFA extraction. Another stress marker, the monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio, only showed this for the PLFA. The general fungal marker (18:2ω6c), the arbuscule mycorrhizae marker (16:1ω5c), and iso- and anteiso-branched PLFAs (Gram positive bacteria) were suppressed with increasing pollution whereas 17:0cy (Gram negative bacteria) increased with metal pollution. For both extraction methods, richness and diversity were greater in nonpolluted soils and lowest in polluted soils. The ELFA method was sensitive for reflecting metal pollution on microbial communities and could be suitable for routine use in ecological monitoring and risk assessment programs because of its simplicity and reproducibility. Copyright © 2005. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society. ASA, CSSA, SSSA
M. Belen Hinojosa; Jose A. Carreira; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; Richard P. Dick. Microbial Response to Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils. Journal of Environmental Quality 2005, 34, 1789 -1800.
AMA StyleM. Belen Hinojosa, Jose A. Carreira, Roberto Garcia-Ruiz, Richard P. Dick. Microbial Response to Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils. Journal of Environmental Quality. 2005; 34 (5):1789-1800.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belen Hinojosa; Jose A. Carreira; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; Richard P. Dick. 2005. "Microbial Response to Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils." Journal of Environmental Quality 34, no. 5: 1789-1800.
Heavy metal contamination can inhibit soil functions but it is often difficult to determine the degree of pollution or when soil reclamation is complete. Enzyme assays offer potential as indicators of biological functioning of soils. However, antecedent water content of soil samples may affect the outcome of biological measurements. In Mediterranean regions, for much of the year ‘field moist’ surface soil can have water content similar to that of air-dry samples. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the sensitivity of a range of enzyme assays to detect the degree of pollution from a heavy metal mine spill; (2) evaluate rewetting field-dry soil as a pre-treatment for enzyme assays; and (3) test multivariate analysis for improving discrimination between polluted, reclaimed and non-polluted soils. The Aznalcóllar mining effluent spill provided a unique opportunity to address these objectives. This accident released toxic, heavy metal-contaminated (As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Pb, Tl, Zn…) and acid tailings into the Guadiamar watershed (SW Spain) in 1998, severely affecting the riparian zone along more than 4000 ha. Contaminated soils were collected from the highly polluted upper watershed and less polluted lower watershed along with reclaimed soil at both sites. Enzyme activities (phosphatases, arylsulfatase, β-glucosidase, urease and dehydrogenase) were assessed on both field-moist samples and soils rewetted to 80% of water-holding capacity and then incubated at 21 °C for 7 d prior to the assay. The reclaimed soils had higher activities than polluted soils but, typically, 1.5–3 times lower levels of activity than the non-polluted soil. Regardless of the moisture pre-treatment, all enzymes showed significant effects due to pollution, with urease and β-glucosidase showing the greatest discrimination between degrees of contamination. In general, rewetting field-dried soils increased activities on non-polluted and reclaimed soils which improved discrimination with polluted soils. Another method to increase the potential of soil enzyme activities to detect soil contamination could be to combine them in multivariate analysis, which provides a more holistic representation of the biochemical and microbial functionality of a soil.
M. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruíz; Richard P. Dick. Soil moisture pre-treatment effects on enzyme activities as indicators of heavy metal-contaminated and reclaimed soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2004, 36, 1559 -1568.
AMA StyleM. Belén Hinojosa, José A. Carreira, Roberto García-Ruíz, Richard P. Dick. Soil moisture pre-treatment effects on enzyme activities as indicators of heavy metal-contaminated and reclaimed soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004; 36 (10):1559-1568.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belén Hinojosa; José A. Carreira; Roberto García-Ruíz; Richard P. Dick. 2004. "Soil moisture pre-treatment effects on enzyme activities as indicators of heavy metal-contaminated and reclaimed soils." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 36, no. 10: 1559-1568.
This study focused on the potential of using soil enzyme activities and general microbiological rates (respiration, N-mineralisation, nitrification) to evaluate the quality of soils affected by a pyrite mud spill which contained high concentrations of heavy metals. The quality of soils after restoration was estimated by comparing enzyme activities and general microbiological rates in three different types of experimental field plots: (i) non-polluted, (ii) polluted but restored, and (iii) polluted but un-restored soils. Non-polluted soils showed the highest levels of enzyme activity. Significant differences were detected for acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease activities between all types of plots. However, arylsulfatase and alkaline phosphatase activities showed no significant differences between the restored plots and polluted but un-restored plots. Geometric mean statistics were used as an index of soil quality in terms of overall: (i) bioavailable heavy metal concentrations, (ii) assayed enzyme activities, and (iii) general microbiological rates, in order to compare plots differing in the degree of pyritic mud pollution. The results indicate that it is important to consider these three criteria in to estimate the soil quality of heavy-metal contaminated soils. Typically, enzyme activities were negatively correlated with bioavailable Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations, but positively with soil pH values. In contrast, pH values were negatively correlated with bioavailable concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn. It is unclear if the generalised lower enzyme activities found in restored soils, compared to non-polluted soils, is promoted by pH or bioavailable heavy metals concentrations, or a combination of both.
M. Belen Hinojosa; Roberto García-Ruíz; Benjamín Viñegla; Jose A. Carreira. Microbiological rates and enzyme activities as indicators of functionality in soils affected by the Aznalcóllar toxic spill. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 2004, 36, 1637 -1644.
AMA StyleM. Belen Hinojosa, Roberto García-Ruíz, Benjamín Viñegla, Jose A. Carreira. Microbiological rates and enzyme activities as indicators of functionality in soils affected by the Aznalcóllar toxic spill. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004; 36 (10):1637-1644.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Belen Hinojosa; Roberto García-Ruíz; Benjamín Viñegla; Jose A. Carreira. 2004. "Microbiological rates and enzyme activities as indicators of functionality in soils affected by the Aznalcóllar toxic spill." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 36, no. 10: 1637-1644.