This thesis aIms to produce a distinctive model for the sustainable horticultural development of Maori resources, primarily land. It is inclusive of tikanga Maori and indigenous production systems based on the unique body of knowledge aligned to Maori. The integration of this knowledge with western science is both argued and applied through the model itself. The hypothesis applied was that matauranga Maori relevant to horticulture and pedology can inform and add value to the future development of Maori land resources. The thesis is bui lt on a unique set of contributing knowledge bases aligned to soils and horticultural management supported by three case studies, identified through their common association i.e. whakapapa links. The format of the thesis intentionally follows science principles in structure and presentation and some assumptions are made regarding base knowledge surrounding Maori cultural factors and the science disciplines relative to soils and horticul ture. The indigenous element, including Maori knowledge, is incorporated into the model using a triadic kosmos/corpus/praxis approach. Where kosmos is applied as Te A o Miiori, corpus as miitauranga Miiori and praxis as tikanga Miiori, the relationship between each element is clear and the interpretation of the associated knowledge becomes more apparent and can be applied to cultural assessments of resources, i ncluding land. The crux of the cultural assessment model is the quality of information used to assess Maori resources, especially from the cultural perspective. The Maori cultural paradigm, traditional horticulture and pedology, and various decision systems are purposefully accessed to act as contributors to the assessment model and to highlight the diversity and quality of information land managers have at their disposal. The ability to apply a cultural layer drawn from a body of knowledge not previously included in decision models relative to land utility in New Zealand is the key point. of difference of the model. The model is discussed from the perspective of its beneficial role for future use by Maori and how it can be continuously refined to meet the needs of Maori land owners and thus contribute to the rangatiratanga of Maori.

Trifolium repens, Lotus pedunculatus and Holcus lanatus were oversown on two recent soil slip surfaces at AgResearch’s Ballantrae pastoral hill‐country farm near Woodville. The two slip surfaces were located on (Manamahu steepland soil) sedimentary mudstone. One slip had a north aspect and the other had a south aspect. Both slips were located on a land class 6 with slope 28‐330. The pasture species were oversown during early spring and the percentage seedling emergence and early establishment from viable seeds oversown was analysed at early spring (Day 15), late spring (Day 45), early summer (Day 90), and late summer (Day 120). The slip surfaces showed micro‐climatic extremes in terms of both soil moisture and surface temperatures during the summer period. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in soil moisture between north and south facing slip surfaces. Higher soil moisture and lower soil mean temperature were recorded on the south aspect slip surface. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the three pasture species in terms of seedling emergence and early establishment. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also found with aspect. The south aspect slip surface had a higher percentage of seedling emergence and earlier establishment for all the species. Interaction between species by aspect became significantly different (P < 0.05) at Day 90 and Day 120. The main effects of time and species were also significantly different (P < 0.05) illustrating seedling emergence and establishment as a race against time. Trifolium repens was a more successful pasture specie, than L. pedunculatus and H. lanatus due to its higher consistency on both north and south slip surfaces. Oversowing T. repens during early spring is a viable option for rehabilitation of recent soil slips in Manawatu.

The aim of this diploma thesis was to carry out an analysis of current use of horses in forestry within the South Bohemian region. The diploma thesis contains a brief introduction to the breeding of cold-blooded horses in the Czech Republic, the conditions for breeding cold-blooded horses, the basics of training and harnessing of cold-blooded horses, a description of work done by the horse in a forest and last but not least the thesis presents the issue of causing damage on forest vegetation, soil and soil water while gathering wood. The analysis of common use of horses in forestry has been carried out via the survey method and personal visits. Evaluation and subsequent information analysis was carried out with the focus on the economic side of using horses in forestry and on the estimate of the perspective of their further use. Simplified maps of the South Bohemian Region are a part of the diploma thesis, portraying stables where there are working horses being boarded and capturing possible locations where horses may be used for forestry purposes.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The practice of irrigated agriculture represents an increase of agricultural productivity, especially for areas with water deficit. Lands are frequently characterized erroneously which, coupled with lacking conservation measures, imposes serious consequences for the environment. In reality, any land use and intensive soil management when carried out unsustainably, can result in degradation processes. This study aims to provide subsidies for a conservationist planning in the Irrigated Perimeter of Mirorós, based on the rational use of land and adequate soil management. The perimeter is located in a semi-arid region of Bahia State (Brazil), municipality of Ibipeba, micro-region of Irecê. The following methods were adopted to evaluate the perimeter: evaluation of the edapho-climatic land potential, evaluation of the land potential for irrigation, determination of rates of land use adequacy as well as the use of indicators of soil quality for two kinds of land use (with and without irrigation). Thereby it was possible to define priority areas for intervention regarding land use and soil management (projected for conservation, recovery or recovery/preservation) and to identify the main susceptibilities for degradation processes or for improvements in soil quality, which have proven fundamental for conservationist planning strategies. The results showed that irrigated agriculture resulting in changes in the classification of land and greater impairment of soil quality, especially due to the susceptibility to the processes of compaction, salinisation and sodification, when compared to other uses without irrigation. On the other hand, the irrigated soils showed greater susceptibility to improvements in fertility and acidification. In fact, the negative effects as well as the improvements in soil quality were noted, in a smaller scale, in soils with other usage without irrigation. In general, the land of the perimeter in Mirorós possesses the potential for general agricultural use or for irrigated agriculture, but there is urgent need for interventions in soil management, including necessities of conservation or priority conservation. Additional interventions in usage are needed in areas that are being used in excess of their potential, resulting in the recovery/priority preservation of these areas. Furthermore, there are existing demands for interventions both in usage and management, resulting in areas that are priority for recovery. The proposed methods can be considered essential tools for the conservation of the natural resources in the study area, contributing towards sustainability in an agricultural environment. / A prática da agricultura irrigada representa um incremento da produtividade agrícola, principalmente para regiões com deficiência de água. No entanto, muitas vezes, a classificação das terras ocorre de forma incorreta, aliada à falta de medidas de conservação, o que tem imposto sérias conseqüências ambientais. Na realidade, qualquer uso da terra e manejo intensivo do solo, quando de maneira não sustentável, pode acarretar em processos de degradação. Este trabalho objetiva fornecer subsídios ao planejamento conservacionista, no Perímetro Irrigado de Mirorós, com base no uso racional das terras e manejo adequado do solo. Esse perímetro está localizado no semi-árido baiano, município de Ibipeba, microrregião de Irecê (BA). Para tanto, são adotadas a Avaliação do Potencial Edafoclimático das Terras e a Avaliação do Potencial das Terras para Irrigação, são determinadas as taxas de adequação do uso das terras, além da utilização de indicadores de qualidade do solo para dois tipos de usos das terras (com irrigação e sem irrigação). Com isso, houve possibilidade de definir áreas prioritárias de intervenção quanto ao uso das terras e manejo do solo (destinadas para Conservação, Recuperação ou Recuperação/Preservação) e identificar as principais suscetibilidades aos processos de degradação ou às melhorias na qualidade dos solos, as quais se mostraram fundamentais como estratégias para o planejamento conservacionista. Os resultados mostraram que a agricultura irrigada vem causando mudanças nas classificações das terras e maior comprometimento da qualidade do solo, sobretudo pela suscetibilidade aos processos de compactação, de salinização e de sodificação, em relação aos outros usos sem irrigação. Por outro lado, os solos irrigados se destacaram pela suscetibilidade às melhorias na fertilidade e na acidificação. Na verdade, os efeitos negativos, assim como melhorias na qualidade do solo, também foram notados nos solos com outros usos sem irrigação, porém de modo menos acentuado. Em geral, as terras do Perímetro de Mirorós possuem potencialidades para a agricultura geral ou para a agricultura irrigada, mas há urgência, especialmente, em intervenções no manejo, com necessidades de Conservação ou Conservação Prioritária. Além disso, há exigências de intervenções no uso, implicando na Recuperação/Preservação Prioritária de áreas que estejam sendo utilizadas acima do seu potencial, como também de intervenções no uso e manejo, ou seja, na Recuperação Prioritária. Os métodos propostos podem ser considerados ferramentas essenciais para a conservação dos recursos naturais na área de estudo e contribuir para o alcance da sustentabilidade no meio agrícola.

Soil erosion is a persistent problem that requires continued control efforts as agricultural land loses productivity and communities dependent on the land become increasingly vulnerable to decreased food security. The negative effects of soil erosion in Khamopele River catchment, in the Mount Fletcher southern Drakensberg region of South Africa, are manifest in extensive gullying and wetland loss. Soil erosion has resulted in siltation in a recently constructed dam and the alteration of aquatic habitats. This research was undertaken to identify the sources of eroded sediment in the small upper catchments of the Mzimvubu River catchment to inform broader catchment management strategies. The scale of erosion was quantified using field surveys of gully extent and form. Environmental magnetic tracing techniques were used to determine the sources of eroded sediment in Khamopele River and upper Tina River catchments. The radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs was used to determine soil loss over a 55 year period in Khamopele River catchment. The Landscape Connectivity framework was used to describe the sediment source, pathway and sink interactions at sample area level. Results indicated that historical and contemporary land management practices such as uncontrolled grazing, grassland burning and furrows promoted soil erosion in the catchment. Soil erosion was most pronounced in the Taung sample area where there was extensive gullying, tunnelling and subsurface erosion. Environmental magnetic tracing results indicated that there were clear differences in source areas. Despite its prevalence in the area, gully erosion was not shown to be a major source of sediment to downstream sinks. Topsoil and hillslope derived sediment were shown to be mobile in the catchment, suggesting that sheet erosion processes were dominant in the catchment. Radionuclide tracing studies showed that at least 20 cm of soil had been eroded from the Khamopele River catchment surface since 1956. This research has shown that it is possible to distinguish source areas of erosion in the catchment by matching catchment mineral magnetic signatures to those in sink areas. This means that rehabilitation projects can use resources efficiently as the areas needing the most attention can be identified.

MSCAGR ( Soil Science) / Department of Soil Science / See the attached abstract below

In Mitteleuropa sind gegenwärtig zwei Trends der Agrarlandschaftsentwicklung zu beobachten. Einerseits nimmt der Anteil kleinbäuerlicher Agrarsysteme durch Rationalisierung und Flurbereinigung immer weiter ab. Andererseits haben ökologische Probleme der industriellen Landwirtschaft dazu geführt, dass ein verstärkter Bodenschutz und die Rediversifizierung strukturarmer Agrarlandschaften angestrebt wird. Das Proszowice Plateau und das Mittelsächsische Lösshügelland repräsentieren naturräumlich vergleichbare Lösslandschaften in Mitteleuropa mit großen Unterschieden der Landwirtschaftssysteme. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist die Beantwortung der Frage, wie sich unterschiedliche Agrarsysteme auf geoökologische Standorteigenschaften und Bodendegradation in den Lösslandschaften auswirken. Dafür wird eine vergleichende Bewertung der jeweiligen Bodenverhältnisse vorgenommen, mit einem Fokus auf die chemischen Bodenparameter. In den Frühjahren 2013 und 2014 wurden insgesamt 366 Standorte auf genommen und klassifiziert sowie 243 Bodenproben auf geochemische Parameter analysiert. Die größten Differenzen zwischen den Böden der Lösslandschaften spiegeln sich in den C/N-Verhältnissen sowie den Parametern Nt, KAKpot, pH-Werten, dem Anteil von Chwl an Corg, Kcal und Corg. Dabei handelt es sich fast ausschließlich um Parameter, die direkt vom Agrarmanagement beeinflusst sind. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass die Böden in den naturräumlich vergleichbaren Lösslandschaften deutliche Differenzen aufweisen, welche auf die jeweilige landwirtschaftliche Nutzung zurückzuführen sind. Allerdings wirken sich die kleinbäuerliche und die agrarindustrielle Landnutzung nur teilweise unterschiedlich auf die Bodenfruchtbarkeit und die Verhältnisse verschiedener Kohlenstofffraktionen aus. Der Unterschied zwischen den Landschaften besteht hauptsächlich darin, dass trotz vergleichbarer organischer Kohlenstoffgehalte der Anteil der labilen Kohlenstofffraktion und deren Gesamtmenge auf dem Proszowice Plateau deutlich geringer ist. Dies ist ein Beleg für eine höhere Humusqualität im polnischen Lössgebiet. Entgegen der Hypothese, dass auf dem kleinbäuerlich geprägten Proszowice Plateau deutlich geringere Nährstoffgehalte zu finden seien, liegen die Phosphatmesswerte in beiden Landschaften auf vergleichbarem, sehr hohem Niveau. Dies ist vor allem ein Resultat intensiver Düngung in den Jahrzehnten vor 1989. Die Böden beider Landschaften zeigen deutliche Degradationserscheinungen, welche durch aktuelle Landnutzungstrends verstärkt werden. Die kleinbäuerliche Landwirtschaft hat ein heterogenes Bodenmosaik hervorgebracht und ist vor allem durch physikalische Bodendegradation geprägt. Die fragmentierte Parzellierung erschwert zugleich die Umsetzung von Erosions- und Bodenschutzmaßnahmen. Die industrialisierte Großflächenlandwirtschaft zeichnet sich vor allem durch chemische Bodendegradation wie Humusabbau und eine geringere Humusqualität aus. Positive Effekte von konservierender Bodenbearbeitung muss vor dem Hintergrund der Umweltwirkungen von Herbiziden bewertet werden. Darüber hinaus wurden während der Flurbereinigung des Mittelsächsischen Lösshügellands eine große Zahl ökologisch wichtiger Landschaftsstrukturelemente beseitigt. Die Biota, welche vorher mit der heutigen des Proszowice Plateaus vergleichbar war, wurde dadurch nachhaltig geschädigt. Beide Agrarsysteme eignen sich deshalb gegenwärtig nicht als Vorbild für nachhaltige Bodennutzung.:Abbildungsverzeichnis ..... V Tabellenverzeichnis ..... VIII Abkürzungsverzeichnis ..... VIII Zusammenfassung ..... IX Abstract ..... XII Streszczenie ..... XV 1. Einleitung und Fragestellung ..... 1 1.1 Problemstellung und Verortung der Arbeit ..... 1 1.2 Zielstellung der Arbeit ..... 3 2. Untersuchungsgebiete und Stand der Forschung ..... 5 2.1 Die Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 5 2.1.1 Das Proszowice Plateau (Płaskowyż Proszowicki) ..... 6 2.1.2 Das Mittelsächsische Lösshügelland ..... 12 2.1.3 Vergleichbarkeit der Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 19 2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation und Heterogenitäten des Bodenmosaiks in den Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 21 2.2.1 Physikalische Bodendegradation auf dem Proszowice Plateau und in Lössgebieten im Süden Polens ..... 21 2.2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation im Mittelsächsischen Lösshügelland ..... 24 2.3 Geochemische Bodendegradation – Stand der Forschung ..... 26 2.3.1 Das Corg/Nt-Verhältnis in Lössböden. ..... 26 2.3.2 Heißwasserlöslicher Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden. ..... 28 2.3.3 Phosphate im Boden ..... 29 2.3.4 Kalium in ackerbaulich genutzten Oberböden ..... 34 3. Methoden ..… 37 3.1 Methodisch-theoretische Vorüberlegungen ..... 37 3.2 Bodenkundliche Methoden: Standortauswahl, Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 37 3.2.1 Standortauswahl: Methoden zur Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für die bodenkundliche Standortansprache. ..... 37 3.2.2 Geoökologische und bodenkundliche Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 46 3.2.3 Methoden zur statistischen Auswertung ..... 48 3.2.4 Ergänzende Datensätze für bodenkundliche Auswertungen ..... 48 4. Ergebnisse und Diskussion der Bodenverhältnisse in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 50 4.1 Ergebnisse der Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für empirische Bodenanalysen ..... 50 4.1.1 Landschaftsgliederung und Auswahl repräsentativer Teileinzugsgebiete ..... 50 4.1.2 Übersicht der Standort- und Bodenaufnahmen. ..... 55 4.2 Geländebefunde der Bodenverhältnisse in den Vergleichslandschaften ..... 57 4.3 Geochemische Analysen der Böden in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 60 4.3.1 Überblick über die Laborergebnisse ..... 60 4.3.2 Abhängigkeiten zwischen Bodenparametern und Relief in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 66 4.3.3 Heterogenität und Homogenität des Bodenmosaiks im Vergleich zwischen den Lösslandschaften .....72 4.3.4 C/N-Verhältnisse in den Böden der Untersuchungsgebiete ..... 83 4.3.5 Labiler Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden ..... 96 4.3.6 Pflanzenverfügbare Nährstoffe Pcal und Kcal im Boden ..... 100 5. Synthese und Ausblick ..... 109 6. Literatur ..... 117 7. Anhang ..... A / Two specific trends are currently apparent in agrarian landscape development in Central Europe. The proportion of smallholding agricultural systems is diminishing through the rationalization, reallocation and consolidation of agricultural land holdings. At the same time, ecological problems resulting from industrial farming have prompted an increase in soil protection mechanisms and diversification strategies across structurally poor agrarian landscapes. The Proszowice Plateau (Małopolska Upland, southern Poland) and the Central Saxon Loess Hill Country (Saxony, Germany) represent comparable loess landscapes with significant differences in agricultural systems. The Proszowice Plateau in Southern Poland is characterized by a peasant agricultural system and a traditionally well-structured cultural landscape, while the loess landscape in Central Saxon Loess Hill Country is characterized by large-scale industrial agriculture. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of different agricultural systems on geoecological site conditions and soil degradation in loess landscapes. The following hypotheses were tested according to a systematic and comparative evaluation of the respective soil conditions, and were extrapolated into more detailed sub-hypotheses in the course of the study: A) The different use-specific agricultural systems in the landscapes studied show correspondingly different levels of soil development and degradation, which is reflected in the results of geo-chemical analysis. B) The different agricultural systems affect differences in soil fertility in relation to corresponding carbon fractions in soil in loess landscapes. C) Soil conditions in both landscapes studied show distinct degradation phenomena that is intensified through current land use trends. The analyses were undertaken on both the macrochoric scale of the landscape, as well as the mesochoric level of sub-catchment areas. The representative sub-catchment areas for land survey were selected according to their relief gradients on the basis of a cluster analysis with Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI)-classes. Extensive land surveys were undertaken within the catchment areas followed by laboratory analyses of physical and chemical soil parameters. Early in both 2013 and 2014, a total of 366 sites were recorded and classified, and 243 soil samples were analyzed for geochemical parameters. In addition, the grain-size distribution could be determined in 83 samples. A Random Forest classification and a factor analysis of the laboratory results show that the difference between the soils of the loess landscapes can be best explained through the C/N ratio, as with TN, potential CEC, pH-levels, the proportions of labile C in SOC pools, plant-available K and SOC. This almost exclusively concerns those parameters directly influenced by the different agricultural management mechanisms of the different agrarian systems. In addition Mann-Whitney-U-Tests and Levene-Tests could prove statistically significant differences between the landscapes for the majority of soil parameters. An exception was found in the pH-levels, SOC and plant-available P. Their mean levels were comparable in both landscapes, but differentiated distinctly in mean variation. The larger variance of the soil parameters on the Proszowice Plateau is also evident on the scale level of sub-catchment areas. It documents a larger spatial heterogeneity of soil conditions and corresponds well with the results of the field assessments. In comparison, Central Saxon Loess Hill Country is characterized by a comparatively larger geochemical homogeneity. In most of the levels recorded, a correlation between relief characteristics and geochemical parameters was only evident at the Proszeowice Plateau. Furthermore a good alignment of the measurement results with those of soil levels collected over many years by municipal authorities confirmed that the chosen study design of this research accurately represented the status quo of field soils in the loess landscapes studied. The C/N-rations have the most important influence upon the differentiations between the loess landscapes. At the field sites in both landscapes these levels point to a high turnover dynamic of organic soil components. Here the C/N ratios in the Central Saxon Hills loess landscape distinctly closer and lie mostly at a level at which the conditions of a standard soil treatment is characterized by strong depletion of humus. This can be interpreted as the result of fertilizer management. The influence of different tillage practices on the C/N-ratio were also investigated. For verification, the measured data was taken from an area that had been continuously tested over a 25-year period where plots had been differently worked with ploughing and soil conservation methods. The results showed that these methods of soil treatment had an insignificant influence on the C/N-ratio of the topsoil. Upon this background, hypothesis A can be confirmed, where the soil in the naturally comparable loess landscapes show distinct differences that can be attributed to their respective agricultural use. According to the results of this study, Hypothesis B must be partly discarded. This hypothesis stated that the peasant and industrial agricultural land use differently affected the soil fertility and ratios of different carbon fractions. The mean labile carbon and nitrogen fractions were at a relatively high level in both study landscapes and thus showed a good nutrient levels. The difference between the two landscapes predominantly lies within the fact that despite relatively similar carbon content, the proportion and total amount of labile carbon fractions are distinctly less at the Proszowice Plateau. This is evidence of a higher quality of humus in the Polish study area. In contrast, the soils of both landscapes were largely over-supplied with plant-available phosphates. Against the hypothesis that distinctly less nutrient content is found at the Proszowice Plateau province characterized by smallholdings, levels were in fact comparable. This is the result of the intensive use of fertilizers in the years before 1989. Because of the remobilization of organic and absorbed phosphate, nowadays a reduced phosphate delivery is possible without negatively affecting yields. In summary, Hypothesis C can also be confirmed, that the soils of both study areas show distinct effects of degradation through which current land use trends are intensified. Peasant agriculture produces an heterogeneous soil mosaic and is primarily characterized by physical soil degradation. The fragmented parcelling makes the implementation of erosion and soil protection measures more difficult. Industrial large-scale agriculture is characterized by chemical soil degradation such as humus depletion and diminished humus quality. The increasing use of reduced and no-till practices – which are considered positive from a soil protection perspective – must, however be evaluated with regard to the environmental impact of herbicides. Also, during the relocation and consolidation of agricultural landholdings in Central Saxon Loess Country, a significant number of ecologically important structural landscape elements have been removed. The Biota, which was previously comparable with the current Proszowice Plauteau, has received sustained damage as a result. Therefore neither agricultural system is appropriate as a current guiding example for sustainable agriculture.:Abbildungsverzeichnis ..... V Tabellenverzeichnis ..... VIII Abkürzungsverzeichnis ..... VIII Zusammenfassung ..... IX Abstract ..... XII Streszczenie ..... XV 1. Einleitung und Fragestellung ..... 1 1.1 Problemstellung und Verortung der Arbeit ..... 1 1.2 Zielstellung der Arbeit ..... 3 2. Untersuchungsgebiete und Stand der Forschung ..... 5 2.1 Die Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 5 2.1.1 Das Proszowice Plateau (Płaskowyż Proszowicki) ..... 6 2.1.2 Das Mittelsächsische Lösshügelland ..... 12 2.1.3 Vergleichbarkeit der Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 19 2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation und Heterogenitäten des Bodenmosaiks in den Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 21 2.2.1 Physikalische Bodendegradation auf dem Proszowice Plateau und in Lössgebieten im Süden Polens ..... 21 2.2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation im Mittelsächsischen Lösshügelland ..... 24 2.3 Geochemische Bodendegradation – Stand der Forschung ..... 26 2.3.1 Das Corg/Nt-Verhältnis in Lössböden. ..... 26 2.3.2 Heißwasserlöslicher Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden. ..... 28 2.3.3 Phosphate im Boden ..... 29 2.3.4 Kalium in ackerbaulich genutzten Oberböden ..... 34 3. Methoden ..… 37 3.1 Methodisch-theoretische Vorüberlegungen ..... 37 3.2 Bodenkundliche Methoden: Standortauswahl, Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 37 3.2.1 Standortauswahl: Methoden zur Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für die bodenkundliche Standortansprache. ..... 37 3.2.2 Geoökologische und bodenkundliche Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 46 3.2.3 Methoden zur statistischen Auswertung ..... 48 3.2.4 Ergänzende Datensätze für bodenkundliche Auswertungen ..... 48 4. Ergebnisse und Diskussion der Bodenverhältnisse in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 50 4.1 Ergebnisse der Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für empirische Bodenanalysen ..... 50 4.1.1 Landschaftsgliederung und Auswahl repräsentativer Teileinzugsgebiete ..... 50 4.1.2 Übersicht der Standort- und Bodenaufnahmen. ..... 55 4.2 Geländebefunde der Bodenverhältnisse in den Vergleichslandschaften ..... 57 4.3 Geochemische Analysen der Böden in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 60 4.3.1 Überblick über die Laborergebnisse ..... 60 4.3.2 Abhängigkeiten zwischen Bodenparametern und Relief in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 66 4.3.3 Heterogenität und Homogenität des Bodenmosaiks im Vergleich zwischen den Lösslandschaften .....72 4.3.4 C/N-Verhältnisse in den Böden der Untersuchungsgebiete ..... 83 4.3.5 Labiler Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden ..... 96 4.3.6 Pflanzenverfügbare Nährstoffe Pcal und Kcal im Boden ..... 100 5. Synthese und Ausblick ..... 109 6. Literatur ..... 117 7. Anhang ..... A / Obecnie obserwuje się dwa kierunki rozwoju krajobrazów rolniczych w Europie Środkowej. Z jednej strony liczba małych gospodarstw rolnych spada w wyniku racjonalizacji rolnictwa i scalania gruntów. Z drugiej zaś strony, problemy wynikające z niekorzystnego oddziaływania rolnictwa przemysłowego na środowisko stymulują działania zmierzające do zwiększenia ochrony gleb i ponownej dywersyfikacji krajobrazów rolniczych. Płaskowyż Proszowicki i Wyżyna Lessowa w Centralnej Saksonii stanowią podobne krajobrazy lessowe pod względem środowiska przyrodniczego. Różnią je natomiast systemy gospodarowania. Płaskowyż Proszowicki, znajdujący się na południu Polski, charakteryzuje się rozdrobnionym rolnictwem, a także tradycyjnym i zróżnicowanym krajobrazem kulturowym. Wyżynę Lessową w Centralnej Saksonii wyróżnia zaś wielkoskalowe rolnictwo przemysłowe. Celem pracy jest określenie w jaki sposób różne systemy rolne wpływają na geoekologiczne właściwości i degradację gleb na obszarach lessowych. Poniżej zaprezentowano hipotezy badawcze, które zostały przetestowane za pomocą systematycznej analizy porównawczej odpowiednich warunków glebowych i poparte dodatkowymi, szczegółowymi hipotezami pobocznymi: A) Różnice w systemach gospodarowania badanych krajobrazów doprowadziły do specyficznego dla nich użytkowania, a tym samym innego, rozwoju gleby i jej degradacji, co widoczne jest w pomiarach geochemicznych. B) Różne systemy gospodarowania są powodem różnic w żyzności gleby i w zawartości węgla w glebach krajobrazów lessowych. C) Gleby w badanych krajobrazach wykazują znaczną degradację, którą nasilają obecne kierunki użytkowania gruntów. Analizę przeprowadzono zarówno na poziomie krajobrazu, jak i na poziomie zlewni. Zlewnie reprezentatywne do badań terenowych wybrano na podstawie gradientu rzeźby terenu w oparciu o analizę skupień zgodnie z klasyfikacją indeksu chropowatości terenu (Topographic Ruggedness Index). W zlewniach wykonano odkrywki glebowe w układzie katenalnym, a następnie w laboratorium określono fizyczne i chemiczne parametry gleb. W latach 2013-2014 wykonano i sklasyfikowano 366 odkrywek, a 243 próbek glebowych poddano analizie laboratoryjnej w celu ustalenia ich parametrów geochemicznych. Dodatkowo dla 83 próbek ustalono uziarnienie. Algorytm Random Forest oraz analiza czynnikowa wyników laboratoryjnych wykazują, że różnice między glebami obszarów lessowych można najlepiej wyjaśnić różnicami C/N, N, PWK, pH, K, OWO oraz różnicami w udziale RWO w OWO. Na wymienione powyżej parametry bezpośrednio wpływają prawie wyłącznie sposoby gospodarowania. Ponadto na podstawie testu Manna–Whitneya oraz testu Levene’a jednorodności wariancji dla większości parametrów gleby wykazano istotne statystycznie różnice między badanymi obszarami. Wyjątek stanowią takie właściwości jak: pH, OWO i P . Ich średnie wartości są na obu obszarach porównywalne. Różnią się jednak średnim odchyleniem. Większa zmienność parametrów gleby na Płaskowyżu Proszowickim charakteryzującym się rozdrobnieniem gospodarstw, jest wyraźnie widoczna w skali zlewni. Większa przestrzenna heterogeniczność właściwości gleby została też potwierdzona wynikami badań terenowych. Wyżyna Lessowa w Centralnej Saksonii charakteryzuje się zaś stosunkowo dużą homogenicznością geochemiczną. W przypadku większości pomiarów na Płaskowyżu Proszowickim można było też stwierdzić współzależność między cechami rzeźby terenu a właściwościami geochemicznymi. Ponadto zgodność wyników pomiarów z wynikami wieloletnich analiz gleby prowadzonych w gminach potwierdziła, że wybrana dla tej pracy metoda dobrze obrazuje status quo gleb użytkowanych rolniczo na obszarach lessowych. Stosunek C/N w największym stopniu różnicuje gleby badanych obszarów lessowych. Wskazuje on na dużą dynamikę wymiany organicznych składników gleby na terenach uprawnych obu porównywanych obszarów. Zakres wartości stosunku C/N na Wyżynie Lessowej w Centralnej Saksonii jest znacznie węższy i osiąga wartości, które w warunkach zwykłego użytkowania rolnego charakteryzują gleby z silną degradacją próchnicy. Można to interpretować jako wynik dużego nawożenia. Zbadano także wpływ różnorodnych mechanicznych metod uprawy na stosunek C/N. Do weryfikacji wyników wykorzystano wartości 25-letnich, pomiarów na obszarze gruntów ornych i obszarach, gdzie wykorzystywane są metody ochrony gruntów. Wykazano, że metoda uprawy ma nieznaczny wpływ na stosunek C/N w poziomie próchniczym. Mając na uwadze powyższe, można zasadniczo potwierdzić hipotezę A, zgodnie z którą gleby obszarów lessowych podobnych pod względem środowiska przyrodniczego, różnią się znacznie ze względu na inne ich użytkowanie rolne. W świetle wyników niniejszej pracy hipoteza B musi natomiast zostać częściowo odrzucona. Według tej hipotezy rozdrobnione i przemysłowe rolnictwo, mają odmienny wpływ na żyzność gleby i ilościowy stosunek węgla do azotu. Średni stosunek węgla do azotu był zaś na ogół wysoki w obu obszarach, co wskazuje na dobry dostęp do substancji odżywczych. Różnica między porównywanymi obszarami wynika głównie z faktu, że odsetek niestabilnych frakcji węgla, jak i jego całkowita ilość są na Płaskowyżu Proszowickim znacznie niższe mimo podobnej zawartości węgla organicznego. Jest to dowód na wyższą jakość próchnicy na badanym obszarze w Polsce. Gleby obu obszarów są natomiast ponadprzeciętnie zaopatrywane w pozyskiwane z roślin fosforany. Hipotezie głoszącej, że na małorolnym Płaskowyżu Proszowickim można zanotować niższe ich wartości, przeczą pomiary wskazujące, że wartości fosforanów są na podobnym poziomie w obydwu obszarach. Wynika to z intensywnego nawożenia przed 1989 rokiem. W wyniku remobilizacji organicznego i zaabsorbowanego fosforu, obecnie możliwe jest zredukowanie dostawy fosforanu bez negatywnych skutków dla plonów. Podsumowując, trzeba stwierdzić, że również hipoteza C znajduje potwierdzenie. Zgodnie z jej założeniami, gleby obu badanych obszarów wykazują wyraźną degradacje, która jest zintensyfikowana przez obecne kierunki użytkowania gruntów. Rozdrobnienie gruntów przyczyniło się do pow-stania niejednorodnej mozaiki glebowej, dla której charakterystyczna jest fizyczna degradacja gleby. Rozdrobnienie gruntów utrudnia wprowadzanie zabiegów ochrony gleby i zapobieganiu erozji. Obszary rolnictwa przemysłowego cechuje zaś przede wszystkim chemiczna degradacja gleb, tj. zmniejszenie ilości próchnicy i pogorszenie jej jakości. To, pozytywne z punktu widzenia ochrony gleby, tradycyjne użytkowanie gruntów musi być oceniane pod kątem oddziaływania herbicydów na środowisko przyrodnicze. Ponadto, podczas konsolidacji gruntów na Wyżynie Lessowej w Centralnej Saksonii usunięto dużą liczbę ekologicznie ważnych elementów krajobrazu. Flora i fauna, którą można było kiedyś porównać z dzisiejszym Płaskowyżem Proszowickim, uległa trwałemu zniszczeniu. Obydwa systemy rolnicze nie są zatem obecnie modelem zrównoważonego użytkowania gruntów.:Abbildungsverzeichnis ..... V Tabellenverzeichnis ..... VIII Abkürzungsverzeichnis ..... VIII Zusammenfassung ..... IX Abstract ..... XII Streszczenie ..... XV 1. Einleitung und Fragestellung ..... 1 1.1 Problemstellung und Verortung der Arbeit ..... 1 1.2 Zielstellung der Arbeit ..... 3 2. Untersuchungsgebiete und Stand der Forschung ..... 5 2.1 Die Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 5 2.1.1 Das Proszowice Plateau (Płaskowyż Proszowicki) ..... 6 2.1.2 Das Mittelsächsische Lösshügelland ..... 12 2.1.3 Vergleichbarkeit der Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 19 2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation und Heterogenitäten des Bodenmosaiks in den Untersuchungslandschaften ..... 21 2.2.1 Physikalische Bodendegradation auf dem Proszowice Plateau und in Lössgebieten im Süden Polens ..... 21 2.2.2 Physikalische Bodendegradation im Mittelsächsischen Lösshügelland ..... 24 2.3 Geochemische Bodendegradation – Stand der Forschung ..... 26 2.3.1 Das Corg/Nt-Verhältnis in Lössböden. ..... 26 2.3.2 Heißwasserlöslicher Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden. ..... 28 2.3.3 Phosphate im Boden ..... 29 2.3.4 Kalium in ackerbaulich genutzten Oberböden ..... 34 3. Methoden ..… 37 3.1 Methodisch-theoretische Vorüberlegungen ..... 37 3.2 Bodenkundliche Methoden: Standortauswahl, Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 37 3.2.1 Standortauswahl: Methoden zur Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für die bodenkundliche Standortansprache. ..... 37 3.2.2 Geoökologische und bodenkundliche Gelände- und Labormethoden ..... 46 3.2.3 Methoden zur statistischen Auswertung ..... 48 3.2.4 Ergänzende Datensätze für bodenkundliche Auswertungen ..... 48 4. Ergebnisse und Diskussion der Bodenverhältnisse in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 50 4.1 Ergebnisse der Auswahl von Teiluntersuchungsgebieten für empirische Bodenanalysen ..... 50 4.1.1 Landschaftsgliederung und Auswahl repräsentativer Teileinzugsgebiete ..... 50 4.1.2 Übersicht der Standort- und Bodenaufnahmen. ..... 55 4.2 Geländebefunde der Bodenverhältnisse in den Vergleichslandschaften ..... 57 4.3 Geochemische Analysen der Böden in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 60 4.3.1 Überblick über die Laborergebnisse ..... 60 4.3.2 Abhängigkeiten zwischen Bodenparametern und Relief in den Untersuchungsgebieten ..... 66 4.3.3 Heterogenität und Homogenität des Bodenmosaiks im Vergleich zwischen den Lösslandschaften .....72 4.3.4 C/N-Verhältnisse in den Böden der Untersuchungsgebiete ..... 83 4.3.5 Labiler Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff im Boden ..... 96 4.3.6 Pflanzenverfügbare Nährstoffe Pcal und Kcal im Boden ..... 100 5. Synthese und Ausblick ..... 109 6. Literatur ..... 117 7. Anhang ..... A

Palustrine wetlands in Lesotho are vulnerable to vegetation loss due to overgrazing and the nature of the topography, the latter leading to gully erosion exacerbated by a degraded soil structure. Degraded soils are not able to adsorb pollutants; neither can they support vegetation growth. The presence of degraded soils in wetlands thus contributes towards leaching of pollutants into nearby streams and groundwater resources. Khubelu wetland (which was the focus of this study) is a palustrine wetland that discharges water into the Khubelu stream in Lesotho. The water purification function of this wetland is pertinent since Khubelu River is one of the tributaries at the headwaters of the shared Orange- Senqu basin. This function is threatened by vegetation loss and soil degradation through overgrazing and environmental conditions like extreme climatic variations. Consequently, water released into adjacent streams from the wetland could be of low quality, further putting at risk the health of this ecosystem and users of these streams due to toxicity caused by the polluted water from the wetland. With predicted floods and/or droughts and intense heat, water temperatures may rise by up to 70% in the 21st century according to researchers. It is believed that floods would lead to shorter residence time of water within wetlands, washing away soil with pollutants into surrounding streams before any geochemical processes that would sequester them occurs. Droughts on the other hand would lead to failure of dilution of polluted waters. Excessive evaporation due to intense heat would also leave pollutant-concentrated water behind. Since these wetlands are the headwaters of an international river, the problem of water pollution and deteriorated water resources might be regional. The main aim of the study was to characterise the extent of soil degradation and water quality in the Khubelu wetland and assess the water purification ability in an endeavour to understand the role the wetland plays in the quality of water in rivers and streams fed by the Khubelu wetland, and also to understand how changes in climate would impact on the wetland characteristics. In situ analyses of soil and water were done followed by sampling of the same for further analysis in the laboratory using standard methods. Surface water samples were collected from two sampling points in the Khubelu stream, whereas water in the wetland was sampled from seven piezometers installed in the wetland. Three replicates of water samples were collected from each sampling point monthly over a period of one year. The water properties determined included pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), cations (magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), nitrates, phosphates and chlorides. The data generated from these analyses were subjected to various statistical tests and the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the wetland and stream waters determined. The water quality drinking standards were preferred in this study since the major beneficiaries of the stream that emanates from the wetland are human populace. Prediction of water quality in the wetland in light of the changing climate was done using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model. Soil samples were collected from the upper, middle and lower areas of the wetland, referred to as upstream, midstream and downstream of the wetland in the report, at the same sites where the piezometers were installed. At each site, three sampling points were identified two metres apart from each other and samples collected at depths of 15 cm, 30 cm and 45 cm at each site. The soil samples were then characterised for their texture, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Total Carbon (TC), Total Nitrogen (TN), Organic Matter (OM), exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, and available phosphorus, using standard procedures. The soil data generated were then subjected to data analyses and the Chemical Degradation Index (CDI) of the wetland soils determined. Determination of the wetland’s potential to purify water was done by assessing its ability to retain nutrients, pollutants and sediments. Results obtained in this study showed that the wetland and stream water had circumneutral pH with values that ranged from 6.32 -7.69. The values for Na, Ca, K, Mg, TDS, NO3, Cl and DO in the wetland and stream waters were below the WHO drinking water standards thresholds of 200 mg/l for Na and Ca, 12 mg/l for K, 150 mg/l for Mg, 50 mg/l for TDS 50 mg/l for NO3, 5 mg/l for DO and BOD, and 250 mg/l for Cl. Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) water standards for livestock drinking were: EC: <1.5 mS/cm (Excellent); 1.5 – 5.0 mS/cm (very satisfactory); < 250 mg/l of Mg for cows, 400 mg/l for beef cattle, and 500 mg/l for adult sheep. SA Irrigation water quality standards were also used, and it was determined that pH was within the acceptable threshold of 6.5 – 8.4, 70 mg/l for sodium and 0.4 mS/cm for EC. EC of 0.41 mS/cm to 1.12 mS/cm in the wetland and 0.67 mS/cm to 2.11 mS/cm in the stream was above the SA irrigation water quality standards. Other water properties such as PO4 (0.06-1.26 mg/l in stream and 0.17- 0.61 mg/l in wetland), and COD (10.00 to 55.00 mg/l in stream and 48-140.80 mg/l in the wetland) were above the WHO permissible limits. The water quality in the Khubelu wetland and stream ranged from very poor to unsuitable for drinking, with WQI values of 107 for the stream and 93 for the wetland. Water quality simulation along the Khubelu stream using the WEAP model shows that by the year 2025, BOD as one of the water quality parameters, would be high, with DO declining further especially if temperature increases and precipitation decreases. The wetland had sandy and acidic soils, with the TC and TN content of the soil decreasing with depth. The CDI value for the soil was 3.29. Regarding potential to reduce sediments, nutrients and organic pollutants, the wetland scored 7.09, 5.39 and 7.39 out of 10, respectively. This implies that there is moderate potential for the wetland to purify water that is discharged into the stream. The study concludes that the stream and wetland water qualities are unsuitable for human consumption and usable for livestock drinking. However, there might be some risks associated with evaporation that would leave the water saline. The wetland water presents a threat to the water quality of the receiving stream. However, the wetland has moderate potential to retain sediments, nutrients and toxic organics. This potential is threatened by a predicted decrease in precipitation and increase in temperature since oxygen-depleting contaminants and other pollutants whose behaviour in the environment are influenced by climate are highly likely to increase in concentrations in both the wetland and the stream. There is therefore a threat to the supply of water of good quality to the Senqu catchment, which supplies neighbouring countries (South Africa, Namibia and Botswana). Similar studies to this one need to be carried out for other wetlands in Lesotho on a regular basis to come up with data that would aid policy development that seeks to protect water resources. / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Management)

This project is a Bachelor’s thesis conducted by two students at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The report aims to assess the implementation of sustainable agriculture at the farm Rosenhill, in the Stockholm region in Sweden, and provide potential agroecological solutions. The assessment of the farm functioned as a case study to explore possible ways to improve sustainable practices in agriculture. The method used for assessing agricultural practices in this thesis was drawn from the existing methods IDEA and complemented with the intent to find agroecological approaches. The data gathering was conducted through interviews and observations at the farm, as well as receiving complementing documents from the farm. The data from the interviews and observation was then compiled into a document and divided up into categories, corresponding to the indicators chosen for the analysis. Each individual indicator was first examined individually and, on this ground, concluding comments on the overall implementation of sustainable agriculture were drawn. Results show that the farm is implementing sustainable agriculture the ectively, however, areas of improvement were also identied. The following agroecological practices were further discussed as potential solutions to problems identied at the farm: Intercropping and/or Companion Planting, Cover-cropping and Reduced Tillage, and Agroforestry. / De a projekt är en kandidatexamensarbete skriven av två studenter på Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH). Rapporten har som syfte att bedöma implementeringen av hållbart jorbruk på odlingen Rosenhill, i Stockholmsregionen, och ge potentiella agroekologiska lösningar. Bedömningen av odlingen fungerade som en fallstudie för att utforska möjliga sätt att förbättra hållbara tillämpningar inom jordbruk. Metoden som användes i detta arbete för att bedöma tillämpningen av jordbruk hämtades från de existerande metoderna IDEA och RISE och komplementerad med avsikten a hitta agroekologiska angreppssätt. Insamlingen av data gjordes genom intervjuer och observationer, samt dokument från odlingen. Data från intervjuer och observationer sattes samman i ett dokument och delades in i kategorier, motsvarande indikatorer valda för analys. Varje individuell indikator analyserades enskilt först och baserat på detta drogs det avslutande kommentarer på den övergripande implementeringen av hållbart jordbruk. Resultaten visar att odlingen implementerar hållbart jordbruk väl, dock kunde förbättringsområden identifieras. Följande tillämpningar av agroekologi diskuterades som potentiella lösningar till problem som identifierades på odlingen: Samodling av lämpliga grödor, Täckningsgrödor och reducerad jordbearbetning och Skogsjordbruk.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:55:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Lopes da Silva.pdf: 2017866 bytes, checksum: 9d8986584beaa350fa0d44c75ba8bf36 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-08-16 / The increasing quality lost of underground water all over the world, due to intensified antropic action during many decades, may make impracticable the future use of this natural resource. The modernity including its promise of adventure, power, joy, growth, interior change and change of the things around it (...) is at the same time the threat to all we have, all we know, all we are (Berman, 1988). According to this idea, the environment issue claims the problematicals consequences of the modernity and capitalist dynamics. Many are the environment problems, such as the freatic water pollution. These resources already supply more than 50% of the world population with water. The way today we face the environment problem and the way we understand them, its instruments, its politics such as all the dynamic brought in the search of its confrontation, are part of the big questions of this century. The freatic water environment problems occurs whenever more people demand higher life style standard with cheaper technologies, even if the involuntary sub products include the soil degradation, the toxic polluter, the animal species´ extinction or the climate changes. The environment is the totality of physiographic factors (soil), water, forest, relief, geology, landscape, meteorological factors and climate factors added to psycho-socials inherent to human nature (such as behavior, well-being, mind spirit, job, health, food) added to sociological factors such as culture, civility, sociability, respect and peace. So the planet Earth should be considered as a unique system. As we expand our understanding about the system which controls the environment and its never-ending interconnections, potential solutions will consolidate. The study of freatic water systems capacity/potentiality and natural geosystems as support to human needs will be a way of consolidating the scientific knowledge. It will do the necessary inter-relation between the natural environment and human potentiality. This way, an increasing consciousness related to environment issue appears as the possibility of the union between human and nature, both can t be analyzed as excludents poles. In the next pages, Goiânia and Aparecida de Goiânia cities are explore about yours underground water. / A crescente perda da qualidade das águas subterrâneas em todo o mundo, devido à ação antrópica intensificada ao longo de muitas décadas, pode inviabilizar a utilização futura desse recurso natural. A modernidade dentro de sua promessa de aventura, poder, alegria, crescimento, autotransformação e transformação das coisas ao seu redor (...) é ao mesmo tempo ameaça a tudo que temos, tudo o que sabemos, tudo o que somos . Nesse sentido a questão ambiental evoca as conseqüências problemáticas da modernidade e da dinâmica capitalista. Vários são os problemas ambientais, entre eles a poluição dos lençóis freáticos, que já abastecem mais de 50% da população mundial, a maneira que hoje enfrentamos, a circunstância como se dá esse entendimento, de seus instrumentos, de suas políticas, assim como toda a dinâmica na busca de seu enfrentamento fazem parte das grandes questões do nosso século. Os problemas ambientais com os lençóis freáticos surgem porque cada vez mais pessoas exigem padrões de vida mais altos com tecnologias mais baratas, mesmo que os subprodutos involuntários incluam a degradação dos solos, os poluentes tóxicos, a extinção de espécies animais ou alterações climáticas. Assim o meio ambiente sadio, ou seja, a totalidade dos fatores fisiográficos tais como o solo, a água, a floresta, o relevo, a geologia, a paisagem, fatores meteoros-climáticos mais os fatores psicossociais inerentes á natureza humana (comportamento, bem-estar, estado de espírito, trabalho, saúde, alimentação, etc.) somados aos fatores sociológicos como cultura, civilidade, convivência, o respeito, a paz etc. é que iluminará a sobrevivência humana. Dessa forma, planeta Terra deve ser visto como um único sistema e na medida em que expandirmos nossa compreensão sobre o sistema que controla o meio ambiente, das suas infinitas interligações, soluções potenciais se consolidarão. O estudo da capacidade/potencialidade dos sistemas freáticos e geossistemas naturais, como suporte às necessidades humanas, é ou será uma forma de consolidar o conhecimento cientifico e que dará a inter-relação necessária entre o meio natural e as potencialidades humanas. Desse modo, uma crescente conscientização acerca da questão ambiental, surge como a possibilidade de união entre o HOMEM e a NATUREZA, que não podem ser tomados como pólos excludentes. Nas páginas seguintes, exploram-se as condições ambientais, especialmente o lençol freático subterrâneo das cidades de Goiânia e Aparecida de Goiânia.