The Experts below are selected from a list of 103026 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Andreas Papritz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
SOIL, 2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. Spatial information on Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning programs to support sustainable use of Soil resources. Soil Function maps visualize Soils abilities to fulfill their Functions, e.g., regulating water and nutrient flows, providing habitats, and supporting biomass production based on Soil properties. Such information must be reliable for informed and transparent decision-making in spatial planning programs. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by (1) indicating uncertainties arising from the prediction of Soil properties generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM) that are used for Soil Function assessment (SFA) and (2) showing the response of different SFA methods to the propagation of uncertainties through the assessment. For a study area of 170 km2 in the Swiss Plateau, we map 10 static Soil sub-Functions for agricultural Soils for a spatial resolution of 20 × 20 m together with their uncertainties. Mapping the 10 Soil sub-Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of SFF scores across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil sub-Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that comparable uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are relevant to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – Transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. The mapping of Soil Functions is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning processes related to the capacity of Soils to contribute to ecosystem services. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by indicating uncertainties arising from prediction uncertainties of Soil properties as generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM). For a study area in the Swiss Midlands, we map 10 static Soil Functions for agricultural Soils together with their uncertainties, using Soil property data generated by DSM. Mapping the ten Soil Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are required to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Soil Function assessment: review of methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to ecosystem services.
Land Use Policy, 2017Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin Keller, Andreas PapritzAbstract:Abstract Soils and their Functions are critical to ensure the provision of various ecosystem services (ES). Many authors nevertheless argue that there are a lack of satisfactory operational methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to the supply of ES. In this study, we review ES mapping studies that have taken the roles of Soils in ES supply into account, and propose Soil Function assessment (SFA) methods approved by German Federal States in spatial planning procedures to use in assessments of ES supply. We found 181 ES mapping studies in which the roles of Soils in ES supply were considered. At least one Soil property was used as an indicator of Soil-related ES in 60% of the publications, and 13% of the publications were mainly focused on the roles of Soils in supplying ES. More than two Soil Functions were considered in a minority of cases, indicating that the multi-Functionality of Soils has barely been taken into account in previous ES studies. Several decades ago, the Soil science community has adopted the concept of Soil Functions to bring different aspects of Soil to the fore and to emphasize the multi-Functionalities of Soils and their vastly different chemical, physical, and biological properties. We provide a set of approved SFA methods that cover the multi-Functionalities of Soils and are applicable to ES supply assessments. We propose that this set of operational SFA methods is a starting point for quantifying how Soil systems underpin the supply of a wide range of ES. The minimal Soil dataset required for these SFA methods is relatively small, and much progress has been made nationally and globally over the last decade in improving Soil data infrastructure and online access for end users. These improvements will facilitate the incorporation of SFA into ES studies and thereby improve information for land use decisions. We recommend that ES assessments include the essential and multiFunctional roles of Soils to promote sustainable land use.
Lucie Greiner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
SOIL, 2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. Spatial information on Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning programs to support sustainable use of Soil resources. Soil Function maps visualize Soils abilities to fulfill their Functions, e.g., regulating water and nutrient flows, providing habitats, and supporting biomass production based on Soil properties. Such information must be reliable for informed and transparent decision-making in spatial planning programs. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by (1) indicating uncertainties arising from the prediction of Soil properties generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM) that are used for Soil Function assessment (SFA) and (2) showing the response of different SFA methods to the propagation of uncertainties through the assessment. For a study area of 170 km2 in the Swiss Plateau, we map 10 static Soil sub-Functions for agricultural Soils for a spatial resolution of 20 × 20 m together with their uncertainties. Mapping the 10 Soil sub-Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of SFF scores across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil sub-Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that comparable uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are relevant to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – Transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. The mapping of Soil Functions is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning processes related to the capacity of Soils to contribute to ecosystem services. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by indicating uncertainties arising from prediction uncertainties of Soil properties as generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM). For a study area in the Swiss Midlands, we map 10 static Soil Functions for agricultural Soils together with their uncertainties, using Soil property data generated by DSM. Mapping the ten Soil Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are required to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Soil Function assessment: review of methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to ecosystem services.
Land Use Policy, 2017Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin Keller, Andreas PapritzAbstract:Abstract Soils and their Functions are critical to ensure the provision of various ecosystem services (ES). Many authors nevertheless argue that there are a lack of satisfactory operational methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to the supply of ES. In this study, we review ES mapping studies that have taken the roles of Soils in ES supply into account, and propose Soil Function assessment (SFA) methods approved by German Federal States in spatial planning procedures to use in assessments of ES supply. We found 181 ES mapping studies in which the roles of Soils in ES supply were considered. At least one Soil property was used as an indicator of Soil-related ES in 60% of the publications, and 13% of the publications were mainly focused on the roles of Soils in supplying ES. More than two Soil Functions were considered in a minority of cases, indicating that the multi-Functionality of Soils has barely been taken into account in previous ES studies. Several decades ago, the Soil science community has adopted the concept of Soil Functions to bring different aspects of Soil to the fore and to emphasize the multi-Functionalities of Soils and their vastly different chemical, physical, and biological properties. We provide a set of approved SFA methods that cover the multi-Functionalities of Soils and are applicable to ES supply assessments. We propose that this set of operational SFA methods is a starting point for quantifying how Soil systems underpin the supply of a wide range of ES. The minimal Soil dataset required for these SFA methods is relatively small, and much progress has been made nationally and globally over the last decade in improving Soil data infrastructure and online access for end users. These improvements will facilitate the incorporation of SFA into ES studies and thereby improve information for land use decisions. We recommend that ES assessments include the essential and multiFunctional roles of Soils to promote sustainable land use.
Armin Keller - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
SOIL, 2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. Spatial information on Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning programs to support sustainable use of Soil resources. Soil Function maps visualize Soils abilities to fulfill their Functions, e.g., regulating water and nutrient flows, providing habitats, and supporting biomass production based on Soil properties. Such information must be reliable for informed and transparent decision-making in spatial planning programs. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by (1) indicating uncertainties arising from the prediction of Soil properties generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM) that are used for Soil Function assessment (SFA) and (2) showing the response of different SFA methods to the propagation of uncertainties through the assessment. For a study area of 170 km2 in the Swiss Plateau, we map 10 static Soil sub-Functions for agricultural Soils for a spatial resolution of 20 × 20 m together with their uncertainties. Mapping the 10 Soil sub-Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of SFF scores across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil sub-Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that comparable uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are relevant to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – Transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. The mapping of Soil Functions is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning processes related to the capacity of Soils to contribute to ecosystem services. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by indicating uncertainties arising from prediction uncertainties of Soil properties as generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM). For a study area in the Swiss Midlands, we map 10 static Soil Functions for agricultural Soils together with their uncertainties, using Soil property data generated by DSM. Mapping the ten Soil Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are required to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Soil Function assessment: review of methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to ecosystem services.
Land Use Policy, 2017Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin Keller, Andreas PapritzAbstract:Abstract Soils and their Functions are critical to ensure the provision of various ecosystem services (ES). Many authors nevertheless argue that there are a lack of satisfactory operational methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to the supply of ES. In this study, we review ES mapping studies that have taken the roles of Soils in ES supply into account, and propose Soil Function assessment (SFA) methods approved by German Federal States in spatial planning procedures to use in assessments of ES supply. We found 181 ES mapping studies in which the roles of Soils in ES supply were considered. At least one Soil property was used as an indicator of Soil-related ES in 60% of the publications, and 13% of the publications were mainly focused on the roles of Soils in supplying ES. More than two Soil Functions were considered in a minority of cases, indicating that the multi-Functionality of Soils has barely been taken into account in previous ES studies. Several decades ago, the Soil science community has adopted the concept of Soil Functions to bring different aspects of Soil to the fore and to emphasize the multi-Functionalities of Soils and their vastly different chemical, physical, and biological properties. We provide a set of approved SFA methods that cover the multi-Functionalities of Soils and are applicable to ES supply assessments. We propose that this set of operational SFA methods is a starting point for quantifying how Soil systems underpin the supply of a wide range of ES. The minimal Soil dataset required for these SFA methods is relatively small, and much progress has been made nationally and globally over the last decade in improving Soil data infrastructure and online access for end users. These improvements will facilitate the incorporation of SFA into ES studies and thereby improve information for land use decisions. We recommend that ES assessments include the essential and multiFunctional roles of Soils to promote sustainable land use.
Patrick Lavelle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecology and the challenge of a multiFunctional use of Soil
Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 2009Co-Authors: Patrick LavelleAbstract:Soil zoology and Soil ecology have become very active fields of research since the early 1990s. A search in the ISI Web of Science databases showed a steady increase in publications about that theme over the last two decades, and 3,612 bibliographic references were found for that theme for the period of 2004 to 2008. The researches covered mostly Soil environmental issues, toxicology and ecology. The issue of theoretical development in Soil ecology is discussed, and arguments are presented against the idea that the Soil ecology theory is deficient. Finally, the need for a general model of Soil Function and Soil management is discussed and some options are presented to reach this goal.
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agricultural intensification Soil biodiversity and agroecosystem Function in the tropics the role of earthworms
Applied Soil Ecology, 1997Co-Authors: Carlos Fragoso, Patrick Lavelle, George G Brown, Jose C Patron, Eric Blanchart, B Pashanasi, B K Senapati, T KumarAbstract:Abstract Earthworm biodiversity is modified when forests and natural savannas are replaced by agroecosystems; these changes can be studied from the taxonomic and Functional point of view. In the first case the number and origin (native or exotic) of species is important, as well as the geographic scale of the study (local or regional). The Functional approach considers the ecological groups (epigeic, endogeic, anecic), which have different effects on Soil Function. Studies in Mexico, Peru and India reveal that agroecosystem earthworm communities (as compared with those in the undisturbed ecosystem) have lower species richness, lower number of native species, lower number of ecological groups and a predominance of endogeics. Therefore the role of endogeic species in intensifying agroecosystems is likely to be more important for Soil Function, especially because they act as ecosystem engineers and through their mutualistic interactions with microflora, selective ingestion of Soil particles, high rates of ingestion and production of casts, galleries, burrows and chambers can affect nutrient and organic matter dynamics and other pedological processes. Epigeic and anecic species do not appear to be as widespread in agricultural systems and their dependence on a litter layer for survival implies that litter management practices must be implemented for their role in Soil Function to be of importance. The role of earthworms in enhancing primary production depends on the synlocalization (in the same place) and the synchronization (at the same time) of their activities with the period and the sphere of active root growth and nutrient demands. Several field studies have found significant yield increases with earthworm inoculation, though more research is needed. Incorporation of information on earthworm life histories, field population variations, ecological strategies and short and long term effects on Soil properties, in addition to plant and environmental factors (climate, Soil, cropping period and management of the agroecosystem), are essential to properly assess the potential role of a particular earthworm species on plant production. Future research must focus on describing the role of native species and their interaction with or replacement by exotic species (belonging to the same or to a different ecological group) in Soil Function and agroecosystem productivity.
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Soil Function in a changing world the role of invertebrate ecosystem engineers
European Journal of Soil Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Patrick Lavelle, D E Bignell, Michel Lepage, Volkmar Wolters, Pierrearmand Roger, P Ineson, O W Heal, S DhillionAbstract:Cette revue place au centre des interactions entre les plantes, les animaux et les microorganismes du sol, les invertebres abondants et de grande taille qui ingerent des particules organiques et minerales produisant ainsi des structures durables. Ces invertebres sont appeles organismes ingenieurs du sol et les donnees disponibles sur leur abondance, leur distribution geographique et leurs roles fonctionnels montrent que les vers de terre et les termites en sont les principaux representants. Ils influencent la diversite et l'activite des organismes appartenant a des groupes fonctionnels subordonnes, les transformateurs de litiere, les micropredateurs et les microorganismes regulant ainsi les transformations de nutriments. Les liens entre l'activite et la diversite des ingenieurs et les proprietes physiques du sol sont detailles ; une mention particuliere est faite de leurs effets sur l'heterogeneite du sol, sa stabilite structurale, la distribution de la matiere organique dans le profil, l'infiltration et la retention de l'eau. Il est probable que les changements globaux attendus affecteront l'abondance et la diversite des organismes ingenieurs par le biais de la quantite et de la qualite de la litiere et d'autres effets lies aux modifications des plantes et de leurs peuplements. Les changements de temperature attendus pourraient elargir la distribution latitudinale des termites et favoriser les termites humivores et les vers de terre endoges a regime geophage. Dans certaines regions, cependant, ces changements ne pourront s'observer car la faune locale ne comprend pas de representants de ces groupes. Dans l'immediat, c'est surtout l'intensification de l'usage des terres et, en particulier, la perturbation des milieux forestiers qui est preoccupante car des modifications de l'equilibre des groupes fonctionnels d'organismes ingenieurs s'observent deja. De plus, l'invasion des ecosystemes perturbes par des vers de terre exotiques colonisateurs agressifs peut avoir des effets adverses sur la structure du sol. La perturbation affecte les termites en reduisant leur diversite, particulierement celle des humivores et quelques especes peuvent devenir des parasites des cultures pour pallier le deficit des apports organiques. En general, une diminution de l'abondance des organismes ingenieurs aura tendance a diminuer les stocks de carbone du sol; un desequilibre entre les groupes fonctionnels (par exemple des « compactants » aux depens des « decompactants ») peut aussi entrainer une degradation physique du sol. La restauration des sols degrades par l'inoculation de vers de terre est brievement discutee dans ses implications ecologiques et economiques.
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faunal activities and Soil processes adaptive strategies that determine ecosystem Function
Advances in Ecological Research, 1997Co-Authors: Patrick LavelleAbstract:Publisher Summary This chapter helps in understanding the role of Soil fauna in Soil Function. Soils host an extremely diverse community of invertebrates that differ in their adaptive strategies and hence in the Functions they fulfill in Soils. The chapter illustrates the Functional classification of Soil organisms based on their adaptive strategies. Three major groups of invertebrates may be defined based on the nature of the relationship that they develop with Soil microflora. The microfauna comprise invertebrates of less than 0.2 mm on an average, makes use of micro-organisms mainly through predation in micro-foodweb systems. Mesofauna and large arthropods comprise the group of litter transformers. Earthworms, termites and, to a lesser extent, ants, are “ecosystem engineers” that create diverse organo-mineral structures. It is suggested that the three systems defined, operate at nested scales of time and space and have decreasing overall effects on the determination of Soil Function in the order micro-foodwebs
Adrienne Grêt-regamey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
SOIL, 2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. Spatial information on Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning programs to support sustainable use of Soil resources. Soil Function maps visualize Soils abilities to fulfill their Functions, e.g., regulating water and nutrient flows, providing habitats, and supporting biomass production based on Soil properties. Such information must be reliable for informed and transparent decision-making in spatial planning programs. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by (1) indicating uncertainties arising from the prediction of Soil properties generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM) that are used for Soil Function assessment (SFA) and (2) showing the response of different SFA methods to the propagation of uncertainties through the assessment. For a study area of 170 km2 in the Swiss Plateau, we map 10 static Soil sub-Functions for agricultural Soils for a spatial resolution of 20 × 20 m together with their uncertainties. Mapping the 10 Soil sub-Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of SFF scores across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil sub-Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that comparable uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are relevant to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Uncertainty indication in Soil Function maps – Transparent and easy-to-use information to support sustainable use of Soil resources
2018Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Madlene Nussbaum, Andreas Papritz, Stephan Zimmermann, Andreas Gubler, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin KellerAbstract:Abstract. The mapping of Soil Functions is increasingly being used to inform decision-making in spatial planning processes related to the capacity of Soils to contribute to ecosystem services. In this study, we add to the transparency of Soil Function maps by indicating uncertainties arising from prediction uncertainties of Soil properties as generated by digital Soil mapping (DSM). For a study area in the Swiss Midlands, we map 10 static Soil Functions for agricultural Soils together with their uncertainties, using Soil property data generated by DSM. Mapping the ten Soil Functions using simple ordinal assessment scales reveals pronounced spatial patterns with a high variability of Soil Function fulfillment (SFF) across the region, linked to the inherent properties of the Soils and terrain attributes and climate conditions. Uncertainties in Soil properties propagated through SFA methods generally lead to substantial uncertainty in the mapped Soil Functions. We propose two types of uncertainty maps that can be readily understood by stakeholders. Cumulative distribution Functions of SFF scores indicate that SFA methods respond differently to the propagated uncertainty of Soil properties. Even where methods are comparable on the level of complexity and assessment scale, their comparability in view of uncertainty propagation might be different. We conclude that uncertainty indications in Soil Function maps are required to enable informed and transparent decisions on the sustainable use of Soil resources.
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Soil Function assessment: review of methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to ecosystem services.
Land Use Policy, 2017Co-Authors: Lucie Greiner, Adrienne Grêt-regamey, Armin Keller, Andreas PapritzAbstract:Abstract Soils and their Functions are critical to ensure the provision of various ecosystem services (ES). Many authors nevertheless argue that there are a lack of satisfactory operational methods for quantifying the contributions of Soils to the supply of ES. In this study, we review ES mapping studies that have taken the roles of Soils in ES supply into account, and propose Soil Function assessment (SFA) methods approved by German Federal States in spatial planning procedures to use in assessments of ES supply. We found 181 ES mapping studies in which the roles of Soils in ES supply were considered. At least one Soil property was used as an indicator of Soil-related ES in 60% of the publications, and 13% of the publications were mainly focused on the roles of Soils in supplying ES. More than two Soil Functions were considered in a minority of cases, indicating that the multi-Functionality of Soils has barely been taken into account in previous ES studies. Several decades ago, the Soil science community has adopted the concept of Soil Functions to bring different aspects of Soil to the fore and to emphasize the multi-Functionalities of Soils and their vastly different chemical, physical, and biological properties. We provide a set of approved SFA methods that cover the multi-Functionalities of Soils and are applicable to ES supply assessments. We propose that this set of operational SFA methods is a starting point for quantifying how Soil systems underpin the supply of a wide range of ES. The minimal Soil dataset required for these SFA methods is relatively small, and much progress has been made nationally and globally over the last decade in improving Soil data infrastructure and online access for end users. These improvements will facilitate the incorporation of SFA into ES studies and thereby improve information for land use decisions. We recommend that ES assessments include the essential and multiFunctional roles of Soils to promote sustainable land use.
