sustainability-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Soil and Water Management Challenges & Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture under Climate Change

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Viewed by 48105

Editor

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Terrestrial agroecosystems are dominant food generators and pivotal utilizers of the most valuable Earth’s resources, notably quality waters and soils, which have been exposed to various anthropogenic pressures for decades, constraining agri-food production. Consequently, a majority of arable pedosphere constrains (salinity/alkalinity, acidity, nutrient deficiency, contamination), and specific management strategies for their amelioration (leaching, drainage, liming, fertilization, bioremediation) are closely linked to appropriate water management in the (sub)surface soil (root) zone. However, optimizing water relations in the arable pedosphere is becoming increasingly challenging due to global climate change and variability. Modern sustainable strategies and approaches to ameliorate suboptimal water conditions (mostly insufficient supply, but waterlogging periodically as well) should be directed toward more efficient management of natural resources given strong competition among related stakeholders in agroecosystems (farmers, urban population, energy-producers).

For this Collection all manuscripts that contain novel science or management and represent a significant contribution within the scope will be considered for publication. All water, soil, land and other environmental resource management approaches, improvements or solutions relevant to agroecosystems and food production at (inter)national, regional or even global level, as well as specific case studies, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Gabrijel Ondrasek
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agroecosystem
  • agroforestry
  • climate changes
  • conservation agriculture
  • drainage systems
  • draughts
  • footprints in agriculture
  • global warming
  • irrigation systems
  • phytonutrients management
  • precision agriculture
  • salinity
  • soil constrains
  • soil-plant water relations
  • water footprint
  • water (re)use
  • water scarcity
  • water stress
  • water use efficiency
  • waterlogging

Published Papers (13 papers)

2022

Jump to: 2021, 2020

13 pages, 5019 KiB  
Article
Inversion of Wheat Leaf Area Index by Multivariate Red-Edge Spectral Vegetation Index
by Xiaoxuan Wang, Guosheng Cai, Xiaoping Lu, Zenan Yang, Xiangjun Zhang and Qinggang Zhang
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15875; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142315875 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1097
Abstract
Leaf area index (LAI) is an important parameter that determines the growth status of winter wheat and impacts the ecological and physical processes of plants in ecosystems. The problem of spectral saturation of winter wheat LAI at the booting stage was easily caused [...] Read more.
Leaf area index (LAI) is an important parameter that determines the growth status of winter wheat and impacts the ecological and physical processes of plants in ecosystems. The problem of spectral saturation of winter wheat LAI at the booting stage was easily caused by the inversion of the univariate red-edge spectral vegetation index constructed by the red-edge band. In this paper, a new method that the univariate red-edge spectral vegetation index constructed in the red-edge band is used to invert the spectral saturation of the winter wheat LAI. The multivariable red-edge spectral vegetation index is used to invert the winter wheat LAI. This method can effectively delay the phenomenon of spectral saturation and improve the inversion precision. In this study, the Sentinel-2 data were used to invert the winter wheat LAI. An univariate and multivariate red-edge spectral vegetation index regression model was constructed based on the Red-edge Normalized Difference Spectral Indices 1 (NDSI1), Red-edge Normalized Difference Spectral Indices 2 (NDSI2), Red-edge Normalized Difference Spectral Indices 3 (NDSI3), Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (MCARI), MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI), Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index (TCARI), and Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index/the optimized soil adjusted vegetation index (TCARI/OSAVI). Based on the correlation coefficient, the coefficient of determination (R2), the root mean square error (RMSE) and noise equivalent value (NE), the best model was selected and verified to generate an inverted map. The results showed that the multivariable red-edge spectral vegetation index of NDSI1 + NDSI2 + NDSI3 + TCARI/OSAVI + MCARI + MTCI + TCARI was the best model for inverting the winter wheat LAI. The R2, the RMSE and the NE values were all satisfied the requirements of the inversion precision (R2 = 0.8372/0.8818, RMSE = 0.2518/0.1985, NE = 5/5). In summary, this method can be used to judge the growth of winter wheat and provide an accurate basis for monitoring crop growth. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 439 KiB  
Article
Socio-Economic and Environmental Analyses of Solar Irrigation Systems for Sustainable Agricultural Production
by Charmaine Samala Guno and Casper Boongaling Agaton
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6834; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14116834 - 02 Jun 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8535
Abstract
Solar irrigation is a climate mitigation technology to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural production. Despite its potential, small-scale farmers are unable to afford photovoltaic (PV) systems and resort to using the traditional diesel-powered pumps for irrigation. This study aims to analyze [...] Read more.
Solar irrigation is a climate mitigation technology to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural production. Despite its potential, small-scale farmers are unable to afford photovoltaic (PV) systems and resort to using the traditional diesel-powered pumps for irrigation. This study aims to analyze the social, economic, and environmental aspects of introducing solar irrigation systems from the perspective of small-scale farmers in developing countries. Applying socio-economic and environmental analyses to the case of the Philippines, the study found the environmental benefits of solar irrigation in terms of the reduction in GHG emissions of up to 26.5 tons CO2eq/ha/year and the avoidance of emissions of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. The energy savings between 11.36 and 378.54 L/ha of diesel per year resulted in a range of −USD 1255/ha to USD 68,582/ha net present value, 30% to 2958% with an average of 315% returns on investment, and 0.3 to 30 years payback period with an average of 2.88 years. Regardless of the low awareness of environmental sustainability, most farmers were interested to invest in solar irrigation systems with 69% social acceptance, while the 26% were not interested as they consume a minimal amount of fuel and cannot recover the high investment from the cost savings. This study provided policy recommendations to make solar irrigation accessible to small-scale farmers as well as broader implications to make the agricultural sector more sustainable. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 5365 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Prediction of Water Stress Using Time Series and Artificial Intelligence Models
by Amuktamalyada Gorlapalli, Supriya Kallakuri, Pagadala Damodaram Sreekanth, Rahul Patil, Nirmala Bandumula, Gabrijel Ondrasek, Meena Admala, Channappa Gireesh, Madhyavenkatapura Siddaiah Anantha, Brajendra Parmar, Brahamdeo Kumar Yadav, Raman Meenakshi Sundaram and Santosha Rathod
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6690; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14116690 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2199
Abstract
In agroecosystems, drought is a critical climatic phenomenon that affects evapotranspiration and induces water stress in plants. The objective in this study was to characterize and forecast water stress in the Hyderabad region of India using artificial intelligence models. The monthly precipitation data [...] Read more.
In agroecosystems, drought is a critical climatic phenomenon that affects evapotranspiration and induces water stress in plants. The objective in this study was to characterize and forecast water stress in the Hyderabad region of India using artificial intelligence models. The monthly precipitation data for the period 1982–2021 was characterized by the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and modeled using the classical autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and artificial intelligence (AI), i.e., artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR) model. The results show that on the short-term SPI3 time scale the studied region experienced extreme water deficit in 1983, 1992, 1993, 2007, 2015, and 2018, while on the mid-term SPI6 time scale, 1983, 1991, 2011, and 2016 were extremely dry. In addition, the prediction of drought at both SPI3 and SPI6 time scales by AI models outperformed the classical ARIMA models in both, training and validation data sets. Among applied models, the SVR model performed better than other models in modeling and predicting drought (confirmed by root mean square error—RMSE), while the Diebold–Mariano test confirmed that SVR output was significantly superior. A reduction in the prediction error of SVR by 48% and 32% (vs. ARIMA), and by 21% and 26% (vs. ANN) was observed in the test data sets for both SPI3 and SPI6 time scales. These results may be due to the ability of the SVR model to account for the nonlinear and complex patterns in the input data sets against the classical linear ARIMA model. These results may contribute to more sustainable and efficient management of water resources/stress in cropping systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2544 KiB  
Article
Land and Water Productivity in Intercropped Systems of Walnut—Buckwheat and Walnut–Barley: A Case Study
by Helena Žalac, Vladimir Zebec, Vladimir Ivezić and Goran Herman
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6096; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14106096 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Intercropping arable crops in orchards is a sustainable land use for intensifying agricultural production, under the condition of plants’ complementarity in sharing resources. This study investigated the aspects of water use and yields in intercropped systems of walnut and crops. To assess possible [...] Read more.
Intercropping arable crops in orchards is a sustainable land use for intensifying agricultural production, under the condition of plants’ complementarity in sharing resources. This study investigated the aspects of water use and yields in intercropped systems of walnut and crops. To assess possible temporal complementarity between crops and trees, a summer crop—buckwheat—and a winter crop—barley—were intercropped in walnut orchards. The land and water productivity were studied under two designs: in an older, denser orchard and a younger one, with wider tree spacing. The results showed a reduction in yields and water productivity (WP) of intercrops due to the competition with walnut trees, with the exception of buckwheat in the younger orchard, where this summer crop surprisingly achieved the highest yield and WP. Nevertheless, in the system with mature fruiting trees, intercropping with winter barley was 53% more productive per unit of land and 83% more water-productive than growing walnut and barley separately but also 48% more land-productive and 70% more water-productive than the walnut–buckwheat system. Our results indicate positive effects of trees on microclimates but also emphasize the importance of species selection and systems design on the overall productivity of intercropped systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 929 KiB  
Article
Influence of Organic Amendments and Moisture Regime on Soil CO2-C Efflux and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degradation
by Mohamed Hamza EL-Saeid and Adel R. A. Usman
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 4116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14074116 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1179
Abstract
In this study, a 30-day incubation experiment was performed to investigate the interactive effects of soil moisture content and two types of organic manure (animal manure: M and wheat straw: WS) on organic C mineralization and the degradation of PAH compounds. Specifically, washed [...] Read more.
In this study, a 30-day incubation experiment was performed to investigate the interactive effects of soil moisture content and two types of organic manure (animal manure: M and wheat straw: WS) on organic C mineralization and the degradation of PAH compounds. Specifically, washed sandy soil sample free from PAHs was treated with combined standard solution containing six different PAHs; pyrene (Pyr), fluoranthene (Flt), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BghiP), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), and indeno[123-cd]pyrene (IP). The soil samples treated with PAHs were amended with M or WS and then, the soil samples were incubated and subjected to two levels of moisture content (50% and 100% field capacity, FC). The results indicate that CO2–C rates were the highest at day 1, but they tended to be decreased sharply when incubation time increased. The results showed that the higher rate of CO2-C efflux rate and cumulative were observed in M and WS treatments at 100% FC. Applying organic amendments at 50% FC increased the total cumulative CO2-C from 21.6 mg kg−1 to 228 mg kg−1 for M and to 216 mg kg−1 for WS. Meanwhile, applying organic amendments at 50% FC increased the total cumulative CO2-C from 30 mg kg−1 to 381 mg kg−1 for M and to 492 mg kg−1 for WS. The highest increases at 100% FC could be explained by the optimum water content at field capacity. PAHs concentrations decreased significantly in the presence of organic amendments in relation to enhance CO2-C efflux (soil respiration) and to decrease soil pH. It could be concluded that applying organic amendments might be a useful technique to remediate soil PAHs through mineralization. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2021

Jump to: 2022, 2020

17 pages, 1701 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Social Licence of Carbon Farming in the Australian Rangelands
by Alex Baumber, Rebecca Cross, Cathy Waters, Graciela Metternicht and Hermann Kam
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 174; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14010174 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3485
Abstract
Carbon farming has expanded in Australia’s rangelands over recent years, incentivised under the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund. While this has largely been driven by economic benefits for landholders, the long-term viability of the carbon farming industry depends on its ability to obtain [...] Read more.
Carbon farming has expanded in Australia’s rangelands over recent years, incentivised under the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund. While this has largely been driven by economic benefits for landholders, the long-term viability of the carbon farming industry depends on its ability to obtain and maintain a social licence to operate in affected communities. Using a combination of survey, interview and focus group methods, involving key stakeholders in far-western New South Wales (NSW), this study reveals that the greatest threat to the social licence of carbon farming is the lack of confidence in governance related to policy complexity and uncertainty. Procedural fairness is a relative strength because of the involvement of trusted community members, and the trust-building strategies employed by the aggregators who recruit landholders to carbon farming. Perceptions of distributional fairness are strengthened by the benefits beginning to flow through rangeland communities, but are weakened by concerns around the equity of eligibility and the land management rules. A focus on participatory policy development, aligning rules with local values and local-scale trust building, is required in order to enhance the social licence for carbon farming in the NSW rangelands. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2045 KiB  
Article
Combined Impacts of Climate and Land Use Changes on Long-Term Streamflow in the Upper Halda Basin, Bangladesh
by Farzana Raihan, Gabrijel Ondrasek, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Joseph M. Maina and Linda J. Beaumont
Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12067; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132112067 - 01 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2191
Abstract
In Bangladesh, rapid population growth and associated land-use changes are escalating water scarcity issues, which will be further exacerbated under ongoing climate change. As such, predicting the consequences of climate and land-use change on freshwater supplies is critical for the sustainable management of [...] Read more.
In Bangladesh, rapid population growth and associated land-use changes are escalating water scarcity issues, which will be further exacerbated under ongoing climate change. As such, predicting the consequences of climate and land-use change on freshwater supplies is critical for the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) associated with a Land Cover Model (LCM) were used to simulate long-term stream flows in the Halda Basin, Bangladesh, under baseline and future climate and land-use change scenarios. In addition, the separate and combined impacts of both types of change on long-term streamflow projections were assessed. Results indicate that by the 2060s, the maximum temperature of the Halda Basin may rise by 1.6 °C in comparison to the baseline 1986–2005 period, while minimum temperature will also increase, albeit at a lower rate than maximum temperature. Precipitation during the dry season is expected to increase, although it may decline in the monsoon period. Simulations show that these changes in climate are likely to increase future streamflow in the Halda catchment, with monthly streamflow influenced mainly by the variability in precipitation. The LCM projected decreases in grassland along with cultivated land at the expense of artificial areas. Combined, future climate and land-use changes are projected to increase annual streamflow, with climate change likely to be a greater driver of altered streamflow than land-use changes. Our results should guide environmental management authorities in more sustainable and strategic water resource planning under global climate change. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2725 KiB  
Article
Keyline in Bean Crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for Soil and Water Conservation
by Ma. del Carmen Ponce-Rodríguez, Francisco Oscar Carrete-Carreón, Gerardo Alonso Núñez-Fernández, José de Jesús Muñoz-Ramos and María-Elena Pérez-López
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9982; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13179982 - 06 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2963
Abstract
Soil erosion is a common problem worldwide, and in Durango, Mexico, it occurs in 77.4% of territory. Faced with this problem, the hydrological keyline design (HKD) is an alternative that helps to retain soil, increase infiltration, and keep the water uniformly in the [...] Read more.
Soil erosion is a common problem worldwide, and in Durango, Mexico, it occurs in 77.4% of territory. Faced with this problem, the hydrological keyline design (HKD) is an alternative that helps to retain soil, increase infiltration, and keep the water uniformly in the land in order to recover its fertility. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of HKD on moisture and soil conservation in a rainfed agricultural plot during the spring–summer 2018 cycle with a bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the state of Durango, Mexico. Two treatments were established: control and HKD. The variables to measure the effect of the treatments were: soil water content, water erosion, bean yield, and yield components. The results indicated differences (p < 0.05) between treatments for the moisture and erosion variables; the HKD retained more water than the control by five percent, while sediment transport was lower in the HKD. No differences (p > 0.05) were found regarding bean yield and yield components. However, the yield was 126% higher than regional average in terms of rainfed bean production. Therefore, the implementation of the HKD had a positive impact by retaining soil and moisture. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 1530 KiB  
Article
Benefits of Legume Species in an Agroforestry Production System of Yellow Pitahaya in the Ecuadorian Amazon
by Yadira Vargas-Tierras, Alejandra Díaz, Carlos Caicedo, Julio Macas, Alfonso Suárez-Tapia and William Viera
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 9261; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13169261 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3556
Abstract
Agroforestry systems have become an alternative that promotes the conservation of natural resources and the sustainable production of fruit crops in the Ecuadorian Amazon. However, it is required to demonstrate the benefit of the companion species that make up these production systems. The [...] Read more.
Agroforestry systems have become an alternative that promotes the conservation of natural resources and the sustainable production of fruit crops in the Ecuadorian Amazon. However, it is required to demonstrate the benefit of the companion species that make up these production systems. The objective of this research was to determine how the legume species within an agroforestry system influence the yield of yellow dragon fruit (pitahaya), carbon sequestration and nutritional contribution. The experiment was carried out in Palora (province of Morona Santiago) and organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were two agroforestry arrangements and the monoculture as a control treatment. Erythrina poeppigiana, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla were used in the agroforestry arrangements for the contribution of biomass. Results showed that during the five years of study, pitahaya yield was influenced by the quality of the leaf litter (biomass) incorporated in to the fruit crop. Biomass from E. poeppigiana and F. macrophylla as companion crops contributed a greater amount of Ca and Mg, increased C sequestration and crop yield. The results suggest that the use of legume species in agroforestry systems positively affects pitahaya productivity, enabling sustainable agriculture in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 1664 KiB  
Review
The Role of Biochar in Regulating the Carbon, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Cycles Exemplified by Soil Systems
by Shu-Yuan Pan, Cheng-Di Dong, Jenn-Fang Su, Po-Yen Wang, Chiu-Wen Chen, Jo-Shu Chang, Hyunook Kim, Chin-Pao Huang and Chang-Mao Hung
Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5612; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13105612 - 18 May 2021
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 5732
Abstract
Biochar is a carbon-rich material prepared from the pyrolysis of biomass under various conditions. Recently, biochar drew great attention due to its promising potential in climate change mitigation, soil amendment, and environmental control. Obviously, biochar can be a beneficial soil amendment in several [...] Read more.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material prepared from the pyrolysis of biomass under various conditions. Recently, biochar drew great attention due to its promising potential in climate change mitigation, soil amendment, and environmental control. Obviously, biochar can be a beneficial soil amendment in several ways including preventing nutrients loss due to leaching, increasing N and P mineralization, and enabling the microbial mediation of N2O and CO2 emissions. However, there are also conflicting reports on biochar effects, such as water logging and weathering induced change of surface properties that ultimately affects microbial growth and soil fertility. Despite the voluminous reports on soil and biochar properties, few studies have systematically addressed the effects of biochar on the sequestration of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in soils. Information on microbially-mediated transformation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) species in the soil environment remains relatively uncertain. A systematic documentation of how biochar influences the fate and transport of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen in soil is crucial to promoting biochar applications toward environmental sustainability. This report first provides an overview on the adsorption of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen species on biochar, particularly in soil systems. Then, the biochar-mediated transformation of organic species, and the transport of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in soil systems are discussed. This review also reports on the weathering process of biochar and implications in the soil environment. Lastly, the current knowledge gaps and priority research directions for the biochar-amended systems in the future are assessed. This review focuses on literatures published in the past decade (2009–2021) on the adsorption, degradation, transport, weathering, and transformation of C, N, and P species in soil systems with respect to biochar applications. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 15560 KiB  
Article
Between Sand Dunes and Hamadas: Environmental Sustainability of the Thar Desert, West India
by Jiri Chlachula
Sustainability 2021, 13(7), 3602; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13073602 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6873
Abstract
Extensive geographic areas of the world show a long-term atmospheric moisture deficit. Desertification of Rajasthan is concurrent with the strengthened weather extremality and mean annual air temperature (MAAT) rise over the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The present landscape aridification due to [...] Read more.
Extensive geographic areas of the world show a long-term atmospheric moisture deficit. Desertification of Rajasthan is concurrent with the strengthened weather extremality and mean annual air temperature (MAAT) rise over the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The present landscape aridification due to the precipitation decrease and reinforced windiness generates surface-cover dryness, aeolian erosion with a mass sediment transfer, salinity of excessively irrigated lands and groundwater depletion; altogether these pose major geo-environmental threats and settlement risks of the expanding Thar Desert. Livestock-overgrazing of sparse-vegetation contributes to ecological pressure to the fragile wasteland ecosystems with approximately three-quarters of the countryside affected to a certain extent by degradation and >50% exposed to wind erosion. Sand dune stabilisation by the drought-adapted tree plantation, the regional hydrology network regulation and the arid-land farming based on new xerophytic cultigens are the key land-use and mitigation strategies. Specific geomorphic palaeosettings predetermined patterned adaptive forms of the ancient desert inhabitation. Geo- and eco-tourism contributes to the arid-zone socioeconomic sustainability with regard to the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area. This study outlines the main effects of the current climate variations on the pristine and occupied lands of western Rajasthan, and the past and present relief transformations, and reviews the modern anthropogenic responses to desertification. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1804 KiB  
Article
Effect of Chia Seed Mucilage on the Rhizosphere Hydraulic Characteristics
by Faisal Hayat, Mohanned Abdalla and Muhammad Usman Munir
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3303; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13063303 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2172
Abstract
The rhizosphere is one of the major components in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum which controls the flow of water from the soil into roots. Plant roots release mucilage in the rhizosphere which is capable of altering the physio-chemical properties of this region. Here, we [...] Read more.
The rhizosphere is one of the major components in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum which controls the flow of water from the soil into roots. Plant roots release mucilage in the rhizosphere which is capable of altering the physio-chemical properties of this region. Here, we showed how mucilage impacted on rhizosphere hydraulic properties, using simple experiments. An artificial rhizosphere, treated or not with mucilage, was placed in a soil sample and suction was applied to mimic the negative pressure in plant xylem. The measured water contents and matric potential were coupled with numerical models to estimate the water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity. A slower loss of water was observed in the treated scenario which resulted in an increase in water retention. Moreover, a slightly lower hydraulic conductivity was initially observed in the treated scenario (8.44 × 10−4 cm s−1) compared to the controlled one in saturated soil. Over soil drying, a relatively higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was observed. In summary, we demonstrated that mucilage altered the rhizosphere hydraulic properties and enhanced the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. These findings improve our understanding of how plants capture more water, and postulate that mucilage secretion could be an optimal trait for plant survival during soil drying. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

2020

Jump to: 2022, 2021

20 pages, 1277 KiB  
Discussion
Paris Climate Agreement: Promoting Interdisciplinary Science and Stakeholders’ Approaches for Multi-Scale Implementation of Continental Carbon Sequestration
by Tiphaine Chevallier, Maud Loireau, Romain Courault, Lydie Chapuis-Lardy, Thierry Desjardins, Cécile Gomez, Alexandre Grondin, Frédéric Guérin, Didier Orange, Raphaël Pélissier, Georges Serpantié, Marie-Hélène Durand, Pierre Derioz, Goulven Gildas Laruelle, Marie-Hélène Schwoob, Nicolas Viovy, Olivier Barrière, Eric Blanchart, Vincent Blanfort, Michel Brossard, Julien Demenois, Mireille Fargette, Thierry Heulin, Gil Mahe, Raphaël Manlay, Pascal Podwojewski, Cornélia Rumpel, Benjamin Sultan and Jean-Luc Chotteadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6715; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12176715 - 19 Aug 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4404
Abstract
The Paris Climate Agreements and Sustainable Development Goals, signed by 197 countries, present agendas and address key issues for implementing multi-scale responses for sustainable development under climate change—an effort that must involve local, regional, national, and supra-national stakeholders. In that regard, Continental Carbon [...] Read more.
The Paris Climate Agreements and Sustainable Development Goals, signed by 197 countries, present agendas and address key issues for implementing multi-scale responses for sustainable development under climate change—an effort that must involve local, regional, national, and supra-national stakeholders. In that regard, Continental Carbon Sequestration (CoCS) and conservation of carbon sinks are recognized increasingly as having potentially important roles in mitigating climate change and adapting to it. Making that potential a reality will require indicators of success for various stakeholders from multidisciplinary backgrounds, plus promotion of long-term implementation of strategic action towards civil society (e.g., law and policy makers, economists, and farmers). To help meet those challenges, this discussion paper summarizes the state of the art and uncertainties regarding CoCS, taking an interdisciplinary, holistic approach toward understanding these complex issues. The first part of the paper discusses the carbon cycle’s bio-geophysical processes, while the second introduces the plurality of geographical scales to be addressed when dealing with landscape management for CoCS. The third part addresses systemic viability, vulnerability, and resilience in CoCS practices, before concluding with the need to develop inter-disciplinarity in sustainable science, participative research, and the societal implications of sustainable CoCS actions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop