The Effect of Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes

As we delve deeper into the complexities of soil properties and processes, we must consider traditional methodologies and innovative approaches that take advantage of advances in soil management and conservation processes. In this Special Issue entitled “Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes”, manuscript acceptance considered the possible effects of converting natural ecosystems into agricultural production systems, in which reports were verified that different forms of soil management promote changes in their physical, chemical, and biological properties and, consequently, in the various biophysical and/or biochemical processes that occur in soils. Works developed with field trials and data collection carried out in different types of soils, environments, and regions, from Mexico, the United States of America, Honduras, Egypt, and Brazil, together with laboratory experiments (calibrations and validations of methodologies), systematic reviews, and advanced statistical modeling, were brought together. The strength of this Special Issue lies in the mutual interest in the mechanisms that regulate the impact of land use and land use change on soil properties and processes, and in the development and use of the most advanced methods and procedures to assess them at different spatial scales.

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes occur frequently in agroecosystems in different regions of the world. These changes have been persistent and have varied in intensity since the emergence of the first agricultural civilizations, as they are influenced by several environmental (e.g., water availability, climatic conditions) and socioeconomic factors (e.g., economic crisis, rural abandonment, population growth). In turn, these factors can be considered both causes and consequences of variations in LULC.

After changes in land use/land cover, the rational use of this finite natural resource (soil) must be guided by the search for technological alternatives that allow for adequate management and, consequently, promote sustainable agriculture. This Special Issue demonstrated that mulching and no-till farming improve soil structure, increasing its moisture retention capacity while reducing runoff and erosion [1]. These methods improve agricultural productivity and are crucial in maintaining hydrological cycles and protecting aquatic ecosystems and fragile environments [2], particularly by minimizing sedimentation and nutrient loading. As these relationships continue to be explored, it becomes increasingly clear that sustainable soil management is not just an agricultural concern but essential for broader environmental health and resilience to climate variability [3,4]. More effective policies that promote sustainability in various land use contexts can be developed by advancing the understanding of how different management strategies influence the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soils and ecosystem dynamics.

The role of soil as a natural resource goes beyond agricultural productivity; it is an integral part of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Several specific physical, chemical, and biological indicators can be a benchmark for assessing soil quality, thus guiding sustainable management practices that mitigate degradation risks [5]. By understanding these indicators, land managers can make informed decisions that improve soil health and promote ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. This holistic approach could ultimately redefine our management of soil resources, promoting a more sustainable interaction between productive human activities and the environment.

Based on the most recent research and opinions, this Special Issue was composed of twelve articles, of which six articles were developed in different regions of Brazil (North, Central-West, Southeast, and Northeast—Contributions 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 11). Another six articles were developed in other countries, namely the USA (Contributions 4, 9, and 10), Mexico (Contribution 12), Egypt (Contribution 6), and Honduras (Contribution 7). Of the articles developed in Brazil, two studies addressed changes in soil cover (native forests, crops, and pastures) and their influences on spatial variations in physical attributes and infiltration in two river basins in the southern Amazon (Contributions 2 and 5) and showed that there are significant differences in texture, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and water infiltration conditions in the soil in areas occupied by agriculture and livestock farming when compared to areas with native vegetation, regardless of the topology and region of the river basins [6]. These authors reinforce the importance of cultural management practices that maximize water retention in the soil for agricultural purposes, especially in the outflow regions of the river basins. There are spatial studies of micro- or meso-schools (such as river basins, provinces, municipalities, and/or states) with variations in natural landscapes and rural areas under land use and management diversification, leading to greater variability in soil attributes and properties [7]. In the same watershed, there may be different classes of soil, each of which may be under different uses, such as forests (native or exotic), pasture areas, transition areas (forest regrowth), perennial crops such as fruit trees, annual crops (short cycle), as well as areas cultivated with or without soil preparation.

This natural and anthropic diversity of environments generates different influences on soil attributes and physical processes. In tropical forests (Eastern Amazon and Honduras), two articles (Contributions 3 and 7, respectively) showed that the distribution of soil organic carbon was heterogeneous and sensitive to land use and cover, indicating that knowledge of its dynamics and temporal distribution can contribute to the improvement of monitoring systems in areas under anthropic influence, since soil carbon content is a good indicator of environmental changes. Furthermore, Contribution 3 also addressed the role of land use on soil nitrogen dynamics under contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions.

Associated with soil use in agricultural production systems, four articles reported field experiments (in situ) to clarify the role of external inputs (amendments, irrigation, etc.) and the use of plant residues (mulch) in soil quality in different crops (Contributions 6, 8, 9, and 10), through the evaluation of chemical, biological, and physical–hydraulic attributes and properties, especially in sandy soils and in arid regions. These contributions showed the beneficial effects of appropriate cultural, nutritional, and water management to increase production efficiencies, reduce excess applications and environmental impacts. To this end, it is crucial to practice management that considers the specific nutritional needs of crops (based on demands throughout the cycle), soil conditions, and environmental factors to minimize water, soil, carbon, and nutrient losses and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. Above all, to address these concerns, it is recommended to perform periodic physical–chemical analyses of the soil and implement best management practices, such as using slow-release fertilizers, optimizing irrigation practices, and monitoring soil nutrient levels.

Two contributions were published using simulated rainfall within the relationship between soil and water losses (erosion). Rainfall simulators allow the repeatability of rainfall application with different precipitation intensities in field and/or laboratory conditions. They should produce events with physical characteristics like those of natural rainfall. Considering the interaction of factors that influence erosion processes, rainfall simulators have been used to evaluate hydrological processes related to water infiltration, surface runoff, and soil erosion [8]. Contribution 1 showed that experimental tests (laboratory and field) of simulated rainfall in circular plots present different surface runoff responses than rectangular plots, regardless of the hyetogram (intensity pattern x duration of simulated rainfall). This approach shows that only using an experimental plot with a different shape can be more assertive for hydrological studies, depending on the shape of the watershed. In turn, Contribution 11 showed that the sizes of plant fragments and the densities of mulch in the soil influence the straw’s retention and absorption of water. Therefore, in addition to the consolidated benefits of using this management practice, it is important to consider these effects on soil moisture, surface runoff, and water infiltration, since the absorption/retention of water in the straw tends to reduce the water level that reaches the soil.

The Special Issue “Land use and management on Soil Properties and Processes” presented some advances and contributions to the knowledge of some of the topics addressed and indicated possibilities for future research. Research on soil attributes and properties, together with soil–water–plant–atmosphere system processes, needs to be approached in a transdisciplinary manner, as it is crucial for the understanding, planning, and management of agricultural production systems, environmental health, and climate change. Despite significant advances, several research gaps persist, hindering the development of comprehensive models and sustainable practices. These gaps range from theoretical frameworks to practical applications, requiring a multidisciplinary and innovative approach to address them effectively. Some highlights of research gaps identified in the context of this Special Issue were as follows: (i) characterization of soil water properties and movements at the field scale; (ii) soil structure and its integration with soil–plant–atmosphere dynamics; (iii) comprehensive soil datasets across spatial scales and pedotransfer functions to support environmental modeling; (iv) understanding of erosion processes in different production systems to develop effective erosion control measures, including environmental and economic approaches to soil and nutrient losses; (v) information on carbon stocks in different production management systems and natural systems to develop carbon sequestration strategies; and (vi) use of innovative technologies such as machine learning, advanced imaging, and remote sensing.

Filling the gaps mentioned above will improve the spatial and temporal understanding of soil systems and their changes due to land cover change (LULC). This will not only improve the productivity of agricultural systems but will also contribute to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.