In recent decades the clearing of Mediterranean maquis along with the creation of new pastures has been a major factor of land degradation in Sardinia (Italy). This was due to an inadequate implementation of agricultural policies. Consequently, tillage and water erosion intensified over a wide area. The present work assesses the impacts of land use change on soil properties in a representative area of central-eastern Sardinia. Paired forest and pasture sampling sites were selected in relation to present land use, land suitability, and land use history. Different soil properties were considered: physical (sand, silt, clay, soil thickness, bulk density, and penetration resistance), chemical (pH, OC, N, C/N, Ca, Mg, Na, K, CEC, and BS), biological (BQI), and micromorphological (microporosity and microstructure). The comparison of forest and pasture soils showed a significant soil loss (in terms of soil thickness, −22%), and a clear decrease in organic carbon storage (−64% on average). An increase in bulk density (+44%) and a change in microporosity and its vertical distribution were also observed, respectively by field measurements and micromorphological quantification on digital images.
Citazione: | Zucca, C., Canu, A., & Previtali, F. (2010). Soil degradation by land use change in an agropastoral area in Sardinia (Italy). CATENA, 83, 46-54. |
Tipo: | Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico |
Carattere della pubblicazione: | Scientifica |
Titolo: | Soil degradation by land use change in an agropastoral area in Sardinia (Italy) |
Autori: | Zucca, C; Canu, A; Previtali, F |
Autori: | |
Data di pubblicazione: | 15-ott-2010 |
Lingua: | English, Middle (1100-1500) |
Rivista: | CATENA |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1016/j.catena.2010.07.003 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su rivista |