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<p dir="ltr">Globally, soils hold more carbon than both the atmosphere and aboveground terrestrial biosphere combined. Changes in land use and land cover have the potential to alter soil carbon cycling throughout the soil profile, from the surface to meters deep, yet most studies focus only on the near surface impact (< 25 cm deep). This research bias toward shallow soil carbon cycling has ramifications for understanding the full impacts of agricultural and restoration management practices on soil organic and inorganic carbon dynamics. The primary objective of my thesis research is to evaluate the factors controlling the impact of deep-rooting perennial grass on soil carbon cycling during prairie restoration of soil following long term, row crop agriculture. Paired soil pits were established to compare the effects of restoration on soil C dynamics in a corn-soy cropping system (minimal tillage) and restored prairie sites in Nebraska and Illinois. At each site, soil organic carbon (SOC) and inorganic carbon (SIC) content, stock, and stable carbon isotope analysis were preformed to ~2 m depth to assess long term integrated C dynamics. Estimating the contribution of prairie carbon inputs to the SOC in the soil profile was examined using stable carbon isotopic signatures in the SOC in relation to the above ground vegetation changes in C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic pathway plant community composition. Comparative analysis of edaphic properties and soil carbon suggests that deep loess deposits in Nebraska permit enhanced water infiltration and SOC deposition to depths of ~100 cm in 60 years of prairie restoration. In Illinois, poorly drained, clay/lime rich soils on glacial till and a younger restored prairie age (15 years) restricted the influence of prairie restoration to the upper 30 cm. Comparing the δ¹³C values of SOC and SIC in each system demonstrated that SIC at each site is likely of lithogenic origin. This work indicates that the magnitude of influence of restoration management is dependent on edaphic properties inherited from geological and geomorphological controls. Future work should quantify root structures and redox properties to better understand the influence of rooting depth on soil carbon concentrations. Fast-cycling C dynamics can be assessed using continuous, in-situ CO₂ and O₂ soil gas concentration changes. The secondary objective of my thesis was to determine if manual, low temporal resolution gas sampling and analysis are a low cost and effective means of measuring soil O₂ and CO₂, by comparing it with data from in-situ continuous (hourly) sensors. Manual analysis of soil CO₂ and O₂ from field replicates of buried gas collection cups resulted in measurement differences from the continuous sensors. Measuring CO2 concentration with manual methods often resulted in higher concentrations than hourly, continuous measurements across all sites. Additionally, O₂ concentrations measured by manual methods were higher than hourly values in the restored prairie and less in agricultural sites. A variety of spatial variability, pressure perturbations, calibration offsets, and system leakage influences on both analysis methods could cause the discrepancy.</p>

Riparian wetlands may provide numerous ecosystem services, including water quality protection, food and fiber supply, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration. In recent years, riparian forests have received increased attention and funding for riparian forest restoration projects. Unfortunately, failures of riparian restoration efforts are likely due to mortality of planted trees. Tree mortality is commonly attributable to several factors, including selection of species that are not well suited to the wetland sites, inadequate planting densities, soil compaction associated with former agricultural activities, lack of microtopographic relief that allow small seedling to survive on wet sites, competition by herbaceous plants, and browse. Selection of well-suited species, dense planting and use of mechanical soil site preparations are all potential remedies to partially address success of wetland restoration plantings. Riparian restoration projects have historically been undertaken with goals of improving water quality and/or wildlife habitat, but in recent years there has been increased valuation of carbon sequestration. Carbon valuation appears to be increasing, but more research is needed to determine rates and pools of carbon accumulation in riparian areas. Our research quantifies forest establishment effects on multiple carbon pools in a densely planted, 12-year-old old-field riparian restoration. Our research evaluated the effects of four soil mechanical site preparations (bed, disk, pit, and mound and rip) and species selection (American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and willow oak, (Quercus phellos) on forest establishment and carbon storage across multiple pools, namely in planted trees, herbaceous vegetation, fine roots, organic soil horizons, and the mineral soil. At 12 years, we found that species selection was more important to carbon storage than site preparation. American sycamore was well suited to the site and had better survival than willow oak (64% vs 42% survival). American sycamore also stored more carbon across all site preparations than willow oak. Measured carbon storage averaged 74.8 Mg ha-1 for American sycamore treatments and 63.1 Mg ha-1 for willow oak treatments. The plots were densely planted (1.2 m (4ft) by 1.8 m (6ft) spacing), and forests were established even in higher mortality willow oak plots. These results indicate that high planting density is potentially a viable practice for establishing riparian forest cover, especially if desired species are marginally site suited or other survival inhibiting factors exist. / Master of Science / Riparian forests located within the floodplain of streams are known to protect stream water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and store carbon. Due to these benefits, trees may be replanted on riparian areas that were formerly used for agriculture. Unfortunately, trees planted on these restoration sites have often died. The tree mortality may be due to planting incorrect tree species that may struggle on wet floodplains, soil compaction from agricultural practices, not enough trees being planted, and restored floodplains lacking small, elevated areas common across natural wetlands known to favor tree rooting and survival. Reasonably, selecting species that are well suited to a specific site, planting trees more densely, and using plowing methods designed to break up compaction and create some relief in elevation would amend these issues. Traditionally, floodplain restorations have focused on improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife, but the benefits of storing carbon have become increasingly valuable in recent years. While we know that wetlands store carbon, research is needed to examine how quickly and where carbon is stored. Our research quantifies forest establishment and carbon storage of very densely planted, 12-year-old American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and willow oak (Quercus phellos) plantations. This research examines the effects four soil tillage methods and tree species selection had on tree survival and carbon storage. Carbon storage was measured in vegetation, soil, and small roots. Twelve years after planting, species selection had a greater impact on carbon storage than soil tillage methods. No tillage method altered survival or total carbon after 12 years, but American sycamore was found to have better survival and more carbon than willow oak in all soil tillage treatments. Both species were successful in establishing planted forests on the floodplain, but the success was aided by the very high initial numbers of planted trees that ensured enough trees would survive on the site even after trees were lost to mortality. Creation of willow oak forests benefitted more from dense planting, as it was less suited to the site and more planted willow oaks died. We recommend tillage for compacted soil, selecting the most suitable tree species, and planting adequate numbers of trees.

L'objectif principal de ce travail est d'évaluer si l'amendement calco-magnésien de deux bassins versants acidifiés du massif vosgien (un sur grès et un sur granite) engendre des changements de la morphologie des humus, de l'abondance et de la diversité de la mésofaune, de la biomasse fongique, du stockage de carbone dans les horizons organiques 5 et 7 ans après l'amendement. Par ailleurs, nous avons effectué une étude dans des conditions contrôlées de laboratoire en utilisant des microcosmes contenant les horizons organiques du sol provenant de bassins versants acidifiés sur grès et sur granite afin d'évaluer les effets à court terme de l'amendement. Les résultats indiquent que les effets de l'amendement sont beaucoup plus marqués sur le substrat le plus acide. À court terme, sur substrat gréseux, nous observons une diminution de l'abondance de la mésofaune puis une augmentation de celle-ci 5 ans après l'amendement avant de ne montrer plus aucun effet 7 ans après l'épandage. L'effet inverse ou aucun effet n'est par contre observé sur substrat granitique. Le contenu en Ca et Mg de l'horizon OL a augmenté avec l'amendement, mais cet effet n'est également significatif que sur grès. La biomasse fongique du sol n'a pas été affectée par le chaulage, mais est significativement plus élevée sur granite que sur grès. Le chaulage a augmenté l'épaisseur de l'horizon OH sur grès alors qu'il a diminué l'épaisseur de l'horizon OL sur granite, probablement en relation avec les modifications de l'activité biologique (mésofaune ou microorganismes). Enfin, sur substrat gréseux, le stock de carbone de l'humus a augmenté du fait d'un épaississement notable de l'horizon OH avec le chaulage. / The main objective of this work is to assess the consequences of calco-magnesium liming on two acidified forested catchments in Vosges Mountain (sandstone and granite) on humus morphology, abundance and diversity of mesofauna, fungal biomass and carbon storage in organic horizons 5 and 7 years after liming. Moreover, we performed a study to verify under laboratories conditions by using microcosms filled with soil from acidified catchments lying on sandstone and granite in order to study the short-term effect of calco-magnesium liming. During the two field campaigns, we determined calcium and magnesium contents of OL horizon, pH, humus morphology, mesofauna abundance and diversity, fungal biomass, soil carbon storage of organic layers OL, OF and OH.Results indicated that calco-magnesium liming affects studied parameters in different ways according to elapsed time after liming and the geological substrate (sandstone and granite), the more acidic catchment (sandstone) showing the most remarkable reaction. Results of immediate effects of liming showed a decrease of mesofauna abundance and then gradually increasing tendencies in field campaigns after 5 years while no effect after 7 years after liming. The opposite or no effects were observed on granite substrate. Ca and Mg contents in OL horizon increased by liming but this effect were only significant on sandstone substrate. Soil fungal biomass was not affected by liming but was significantly higher on granite substrate than sandstone. Liming increased the OH horizon thickness on sandstone while decreased the OL horizon on granite, under the influence of biological activity (mesofauna vs microorganisms).

L’utilisation des Produits Résiduaires Organiques (PRO) par l’agriculture peut permettre de substituer une partie des engrais minéraux et augmenter les niveaux de matière organique des sols. Elle peut également générer des pollutions azotées via la lixiviation de nitrate ou des émissions gazeuses. Mieux connaitre le devenir du carbone (C) et de l’azote (N) après applications de PRO sur les sols agricoles contribue à améliorer les bénéfices de cette pratique et à en limiter les impacts environnementaux. Cette thèse a pour objectif: (i) de prédire les dynamiques du C et du N en cas d’applications de PRO sur les sols agricoles, (ii) d’étudier les effets de scenarios d’apports de PRO sur les stocks de carbone dans les sols, la substitution des engrais azotés et les pollutions azotées dans le contexte du territoire de la Plaine de Versailles, en prenant en compte la diversité des sols, de leurs teneurs en C et des successions culturales, (iii) d’améliorer ces bénéfices à l’échelon du territoire via une distribution optimale des PRO. Le modèle CERES-EGC a été utilisé pour simuler les effets de 13 ans d’apports de PRO sur les dynamiques de C et de N dans le système sol-plante-atmosphère de l’expérimentation QualiAgro, située au cœur du territoire d’étude. Le sous-modèle NCSOIL a été paramétré à partir de cinétiques de minéralisation de C et N mesurées en conditions contrôlées de laboratoire. Le transfert de ces paramètres dans CERES-EGC a permis de simuler correctement les évolution des stocks de carbone dans les sols, les rendements et les prélèvements de N par les cultures ainsi que l’évolution des stocks de N minéral dans les sols. Les dynamiques de minéralisation de C et N des 18 PRO disponibles sur le territoire ont été déterminées. NCSOIL a été paramétré à partir des caractéristiques analytiques et des résultats de fractions biochimiques des PRO. Les types de sol du territoire n’ont pas impacté significativement le paramétrage. Les PRO ont été classés selon 4 types : (1) composts stables, (2) composts moins matures restant plus réactifs et les fumiers stables, (3) des fumiers très réactifs correspondant à des fumiers de chevaux, (4) des PRO très réactifs tels que des boues et des fientes pouvant plutôt être utilisés comme fertilisants. De nombreux scenarios d’apport de PRO, contraints par les flux de phosphore et de N apportés, ont été simulés sur 20 ans dans tous les contextes de sols, successions culturales et teneurs en C organique des sols du territoire. Le type de sol a impacté le plus le stockage de C et les lixiviations de nitrate tandis que les successions culturales étaient prépondérantes sur la substitution des engrais. Des composts ont permis de stocker 1.1 t C ha- 1 an-1 allant jusqu’63% du C apporté. Des substitutions de 74 kg N ha-1 an-1 ont été atteintes avec une boue mais aussi un compost en prenant en compte la substitution des engrais liée aux augmentations de matière organique dans les sols. La substitution des engrais a pu atteindre plus de 90% du N apporté par les PRO, ceci étant lié aux arrières-effets sur le stockage de matière organique dans les sols et dépendant des hypothèses de calcul de la substitution des engrais azotés. Un modèle d’optimisation a été développé pour sélectionner les scenarios d’apports de PRO pour chaque ilot du territoire (sol x succession de culture x teneur en C organique initiale x surface) tenant compte de la disponibilité des PRO et avec pour objectif de maximiser le stockage de C ou les substitutions en engrais azotés ou de minimiser la lixiviation de nitrate au niveau du territoire. En apportant préférentiellement les PRO les plus stables sur les sols à fort potentiel de stockage de C (fortes teneurs en argile et calcaire), jusqu’à 0.47 t C ha-1 an- 1 pourrait être stocké. En appliquant préférentiellement les PRO fertilisants sur les successions à maïs, et les PRO amendants sur les successions à colza jusqu’à 53 kg N ha-1 an-1 de N de synthèse pourrait être économisés. / The use of Exogenous Organic Matter (EOM) in agriculture could be an efficient way to substitute mineral fertilisation and increase soil organic matter (SOM) enhancing soil fertility and storing carbon (C). It could also cause nitrogen (N) pollutions such as nitrate leaching and gas emissions. Better understanding of C and N fate after EOM applications on cropped soils would allow improving these benefits while limiting environmental impacts. This thesis aims at: (i) predicting EOM impacts when applied on cropped soils, (ii) studying the effects of various scenarios of EOM applications in terms of C storage, synthetic N saving and N pollutions in the context of the Plain of Versailles region (221 km²) and taking into account soil diversity, crop successions and soil organic C contents, (ii) studying the potential for improving these benefits at the regional scale with an optimal distribution of EOM. The CERES-EGC crop model was used to simulate the effects of repeated applications of EOM over 13 years on both soil C and N dynamics in the soil-crop-water-air system of the long-term field experiment QualiAgro located within the region. The sub-model NCSOIL was parameterised from C and N mineralisation kinetics of EOM measured in laboratory conditions. When transposing the parameters into the CERES-EGC model, C storage at the field scale was well simulated, together with crop N uptake and yields, as well as soil mineral N contents. The kinetics of C and N mineralisation of the 18 EOM available in the region were used along with EOM biochemical fractionations for parameterising the NCSOIL model. The soil type did not significantly change EOM parameters. Four groups of EOM were distinguished based on their C and N dynamics: (i) stable composts, (2) more reactive and less mature composts and stable manures, (3) manures with reactive OM corresponding to horse manures and (4) very reactive EOM as sludges, litters that should be used as fertilisers. Numerous scenarios of EOM applications, constrained on the phosphorus and N quantities they bring (and limiting the input in trace elements), were simulated for 20 years in all regional contexts of soil, crop successions and soil organic C contents. The soil type was the main factor controlling C storage and N leaching while it was crop successions for N saving. Some composts allowed C storage up to 1.1 t C ha-1 yr -1 reaching 63% of C applied. N saving of 74 kg N ha-1 yr -1 were possible with a dried sewage sludge and a compost. N substitution could reach more than 90% of N applied with EOM, these high percentages being related with the indirect effect of EOM on soil OM and the hypothesis made for N substitution An optimisation model was developed to select EOM application scenario for each crop plot (soil x crop succession x initial soil OC content x area) accounting for EOM availability in the region with the objectives of maximising C storage or synthetic N saving or minimising N leaching at the regional scale. Applying preferentially the most stable EOM on soils with the highest potential for C storage i.e. with the highest calcareous and clay contents, up to 0.47 t C ha-1 yr-1 could be stored. Applying preferentially fertilising EOM on crop succession with maize and amending EOM on succession with rapeseed, up to 53 kg N ha-1 yr -1 could be saved.

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Soils are the largest pool of carbon (C) in terrestrial ecosystems and store 1500 Gt of C in their soil organic matter (SOM). SOM is a dynamic, complex and heterogeneous mixture, which influences soil quality through a wide range of soil properties. Labile SOM comprises a small fraction of total SOM (approximately 5%), but due to its rapid turnover has been suggested to be most vulnerable to loss following soil disturbance. This research was undertaken to examine the consequences of soil disturbance on labile SOM, its availability and protection in soils using the isotopic analysis of soil-respired CO₂ (δ¹³CO₂). A range of soils were incubated in both the short- (minutes) and long-term (months) to assess changes in labile SOM. Shifts in soil-respired δ¹³CO₂ over the course of soil incubations were found to reflect changes in labile substrate utilisation. There was a rapid depletion of δ¹³CO₂ (from a starting range between -22.5 and -23.9‰, to between -25.8 and -27.5‰) immediately after soil sampling. These initial changes in δ¹³CO₂ indicated an increased availability of labile SOM following the disturbance of coring the soil and starting the incubations. Subsequently δ¹³CO₂ reverted back to the initial, relatively enriched starting values, but this took several months and was due to labile SOM pools becoming exhausted. A subsequent study was undertaken to test if soil-respired δ¹³CO₂ values are a direct function of the amount of labile SOM and soil physical conditions. A range of pasture soils were incubated in the short-term (300 minutes), and changes in soil-respired δ¹³CO₂ were measured along with physical and chemical soil properties. Equilibrium soil-respired δ¹³CO₂, observed after the initial rapid depletion and stabilisation, was a function of the amount of labile SOM (measured as hot water extractable C, HWEC), total soil C and soil protection capacity (measured as specific soil surface area, SSA). An independent experimental approach to assess the effect of SSA, where labile SOM was immobilised onto allophane – a clay mineral with large, active surface area – indicated limited availability of labile SOM through more enriched δ¹³CO₂ (in a range between -20.5 and -20.6 ‰) and a significant (up to three times) reduction in HWEC. In the third study, isotopic measurements were coupled with CO₂ evolution rates to directly test whether equilibrium soil-respired δ¹³CO₂ can reflect labile SOM vulnerability to loss. Soils were sampled from an experimental tillage trial with different management treatments (chemical fallow, arable cropping and permanent pasture) with a range of C inputs and soil disturbance regimes. Soils were incubated in the short- (300 minutes) and long-term (600 days) and changes in δ¹³CO₂ and respiration rates measured. Physical and chemical fractionation methods were used to quantify the amount of labile SOM. Pasture soils were characterised by higher labile SOM estimates (HWEC; sand-sized C; labile C respired during long-term incubations) than the other soils. Long-term absence of plant inputs in fallow soils resulted in a significant depletion of labile SOM (close to 50% based on sand-sized C and HWEC estimates) compared with pasture soils. The values of δ¹³CO₂ became more depleted in 13C from fallow to pasture soils (from -26.3 ‰ to -28.1 ‰) and, when standardised (against the isotopic composition of the solid soil material), Δ¹³CO₂ values also showed a decrease from fallow to pasture soils (from -0.3 ‰ to -1.1 ‰). Moreover, these patterns in isotopic measures were in strong agreement with the amount of labile SOM and its availability across the soils, and were best explained by the isotopic values of the labile HWEC fraction. Collectively, these results confirm that labile SOM availability and utilisation change immediately after soil disturbance. Moreover, isotopic analysis of soil-respired CO₂ is a powerful technique, which enables us to probe mechanisms and examine the consequences of soil disturbance on labile SOM by reflecting its availability and the degree of SOM protection.

No description available.

<p>Current watershed-scale, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution models do not represent the processes and impacts of agricultural best management practices (BMP) on water quality with sufficient detail. To begin addressing this gap, a novel process-based, watershed-scale, water quality model (WEPP-WQ) was developed based on the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models. The proposed model was validated at both hillslope and watershed scales for runoff, sediment, and both soluble and particulate forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. WEPP-WQ is now one of only two models which simulates BMP impacts on water quality in ‘high’ detail, and it is the only one not based on USLE sediment predictions. Model validations indicated that particulate nutrient predictions were better than soluble nutrient predictions for both nitrogen and phosphorus. Predictions of uniform conditions outperformed nonuniform conditions, and calibrated model simulations performed better than uncalibrated model simulations. Applications of these kinds of models in real-world, historical simulations are often limited by a lack of field-scale agricultural management inputs. Therefore, a prototype tool was developed to derive management inputs for hydrologic models from remotely sensed imagery at field-scale resolution. At present, only predictions of crop, cover crop, and tillage practice inference are supported and were validated at annual and average annual time intervals based on data availability for the various management endpoints. Extraction model training and validation were substantially limited by relatively small field areas in the observed management dataset. Both of these efforts contribute to computational modeling research and applications pertaining to agricultural systems and their impacts on the environment.</p>