Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Soil Systems (ISSN 2571-8789).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2025 | Viewed by 5067

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop 78557-287, Brazil
Interests: hydrometeorology; hydroclimatology; agrometeorology; water and soil conservation engineering; environmental sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop 78557-287, Brazil
Interests: water and soil engineering; water resources; erosion and sedimentation; hydrology; remote sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural production systems with different forms of soil management promotes changes in their physical, chemical, and biological properties and, consequently, in the various biophysical and/or biochemical processes that occur in soils. After land use and land cover changes (LULC), rational land use should be guided by alternatives that allow for adequate management and promote sustainable agriculture. In the first edition of this Special Issue, twelve articles related to this topic were published. However, more efforts are still needed to acquire detailed knowledge of land use/management changes and their effects on the properties and processes of different soil types and regions. In this second Special Issue, we again invite the submission of conceptual, empirical, review, or exploratory articles that contribute to understanding the relationships between LULC and soil properties and processes.

The research topics of interest in this Special Issue are as follows: (i) influences of land cover and land cover changes on soil physical properties; (ii) relationships between land use/management and infiltration, runoff, erodibility, and sediment production; (iii) losses of soil, water, nutrients, and carbon (erosion) due to changes in land cover and management; (iv) effects of different agricultural production systems on soil properties and processes; and (v) environmental applications involving soil properties and processes (modeling, new techniques, and big data analysis).

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Adilson Pacheco De Souza
Dr. Frederico Terra De Almeida
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Soil Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1800 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

  • soil management
  • water and soil engineering
  • water and soil conservation
  • soil degradation
  • soil erosion
  • sustainable agriculture (cover crops, rotation crops, and tillage)
  • integrated production systems
  • land use and land cover (LULC)

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 3476 KB  
Article
Land Use Modifies the Inherent Effect of Soil Properties on Soil Bacterial Communities in Humid Tropical Watersheds
by Sunshine A. De Caires, Sabine Reinsch, Duraisamy Saravanakumar, Chaney St. Martin, Mark N. Wuddivira, Bernie J. Zebarth, Fuat Kaya, Mengying Liu, Durga P. M. Chinthalapudi, Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam and Bobbi Helgason
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9040112 - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Soil bacterial communities are vital for ecosystem functioning in the humid tropics, yet their response to land-use change remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap is exacerbated by the lack of long-term studies. We employed a space-for-time substitution approach to assess the effects of [...] Read more.
Soil bacterial communities are vital for ecosystem functioning in the humid tropics, yet their response to land-use change remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap is exacerbated by the lack of long-term studies. We employed a space-for-time substitution approach to assess the effects of land-use intensification on soil bacterial communities across a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance in Trinidad. Three sub-watersheds (Arouca = pristine, Maracas = intermediate, Tacarigua = intensive) were selected, each containing adjacent forest, grassland, and agricultural land uses. We combined geophysical soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa-directed) sampling with 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize bacterial communities and their relationships with soil and landscape properties. Soil properties were the primary determinant of bacterial community structure, explaining 56% of the variation (p < 0.001), with pH, clay content, hygroscopic water, and nutrient availability as key drivers. Bacterial α-diversity differed significantly among sub-watersheds (p < 0.01), with Tacarigua exhibiting lower richness and diversity compared to Arouca and Maracas, but not across land uses. While a core microbiome of ten bacterial families was ubiquitous across land uses, indicating a stable foundational community, land-use intensification significantly altered β-diversity (p < 0.01 among sub-watersheds). Agricultural soils showed the greatest divergence from forest soils (p < 0.05), with a marked decline in key Proteobacterial families (e.g., Xanthomonadaceae, Pseudomonadaceae) involved in nutrient cycling and plant growth promotion. Although inherent soil properties shape the core microbiome, land-use intensification acts as a strong secondary filter, shifting soil bacterial communities toward more stress-resistant Firmicutes with potentially less diverse functions. Our findings demonstrate the utility of integrating space-for-time substitution with molecular profiling to predict long-term microbial responses to environmental change in vulnerable tropical ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 1998 KB  
Article
Organic and Conventional Management Effects on Soil Organic Carbon and Macro-Nutrients Across Land Uses in the Bhutanese Himalayas
by Yadunath Bajgai, Ameeta Adhikari, Rattan Lal and Tashi Wangdi
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(3), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9030099 - 13 Sep 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
Soil health and fertility are essential components of sustainable land management. In Bhutan, where agricultural practices range from organic to conventional systems, and natural vegetation areas persist across varied elevations. Understanding how these factors influence soil properties is essential for advancing sustainable agriculture [...] Read more.
Soil health and fertility are essential components of sustainable land management. In Bhutan, where agricultural practices range from organic to conventional systems, and natural vegetation areas persist across varied elevations. Understanding how these factors influence soil properties is essential for advancing sustainable agriculture and fostering environmental stewardship. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate some soil chemical properties across land use practices and their relationship to soil texture. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and macro-nutrients in three land use types (organic fields—OrgF; conventional fields—ConF; and natural vegetation—NatV) were studied across high-, mid-, and low-altitude sites in the Wangdue Phodrang, Chhukha, and Dagana districts of Bhutan. The effects of land use practices on soil properties varied with altitude. While available P responded significantly at both high- and mid-altitude locations (p < 0.01), SOC content was influenced only at high altitude (p < 0.001). In contrast, soil pH (p < 0.01) and available K (p < 0.001) showed clear sensitivity to land use at low altitude but were unaffected at higher elevations. Total N content and C:N ratios remained relatively stable across management practices within each altitude category. Silt and clay content had positive relationship with SOC (R2 ≥ 0.13), whereas sand content had a significant negative relationship (R2 = 0.23, p < 0.001). These findings are pertinent to providing guidelines for sustainable land management, improving agricultural practices, and shaping policies to protect and restore soil health across varied agro-ecological zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 3674 KB  
Article
Soil Quality Indicators and Water Erosion in Olive Groves (Olea europaea L.) Under Different Vegetation Cover Management
by Larissa da Costa Brito, Eduardo Medeiros Severo, Paul Andres Jimenez Jimenez, Aline Oliveira Silva, Junior Cesar Avanzi, Djail Santos, Marco Aurélio Carbone Carneiro and Marx Leandro Naves Silva
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(3), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9030096 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 773
Abstract
Olive groves (Olea europaea L.) are highly susceptible to soil degradation, particularly water erosion, due to sparse canopy cover and wide inter-row spacing. This study evaluated the effect of different vegetation cover management practices on soil quality and erosion control in a [...] Read more.
Olive groves (Olea europaea L.) are highly susceptible to soil degradation, particularly water erosion, due to sparse canopy cover and wide inter-row spacing. This study evaluated the effect of different vegetation cover management practices on soil quality and erosion control in a tropical olive grove in southeastern Brazil. The experiment followed a randomized block design with five treatments: exposed soil (BS), olive trees on exposed soil (OB), olive trees with spontaneous vegetation managed with herbicide (OVH), with mowing (OVM), and with mowing + localized weeding (OVMC). Physical, chemical, and biological indicators and losses due to water erosion were analyzed. The OVM and OVMC treatments promoted an increase in soil organic matter (up to 39 g kg−1), microbial biomass carbon (40% higher than BS), enzymatic activity, and glomalin, improving aggregate stability (WMD of 4.9 mm) and reducing soil and water losses by more than 99% compared to exposed soil. The BS and OB treatments, on the other hand, showed higher acidity, lower microbial activity, and greater susceptibility to erosion. The study reinforces that maintaining vegetation cover improves soil quality, mitigates erosion, and promotes the sustainability of olive groves in tropical regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition)
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33 pages, 3402 KB  
Article
Advancing Sustainable Practices: Integrated Pedological Characterization and Suitability Assessment for Enhanced Irish Potato Production in Tsangano and Angónia Districts of Tete Province, Mozambique
by Tamara José Sande, Balthazar Michael Msanya, Hamisi Juma Tindwa, Alessandra Mayumi Tokura Alovisi, Johnson M. Semoka and Mawazo Shitindi
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(2), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020053 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 1913
Abstract
Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a critical crop for food security and economic growth in Tsangano and Angónia Districts, Central Mozambique. Challenges like inconsistent yields and variable quality are often linked to suboptimal soil conditions, which limit production. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a critical crop for food security and economic growth in Tsangano and Angónia Districts, Central Mozambique. Challenges like inconsistent yields and variable quality are often linked to suboptimal soil conditions, which limit production. This study aimed to classify and evaluate the suitability of soils for potato cultivation in Tete Province, where detailed soil assessments remain limited. Four pedons—TSA-P01 and TSA-P02 in Tsangano and ANGO-P01 and ANGO-P02 in Angónia—were examined for bulk density, texture, pH, organic carbon, and nutrient content using a combination of pedological methods and laboratory soil analysis. To determine each site’s potential for growing Irish potatoes, these factors were compared to predetermined land suitability standards. The pedons were very deep (>150 cm) and had textures ranging from sandy clay loam to sandy loam. TSA-P02 had the lowest bulk density (0.78 Mg m−3) and the highest available water capacity (182.0 mm m−1). The soil pH ranged from 5.6 to 7.9, indicating neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Nutrient analysis revealed low total nitrogen (0.12–0.22%), varying soil organic carbon (0.16–2.73%), and cation exchange capacity (10.1–11.33 cmol(+) kg−1). Pedons TSA-P01, ANGO-P1, and ANGO-P02 were characterized by eluviation and illuviation as dominant pedogenic processes, while in pedon TSA-P02, shrinking and swelling were the dominant pedogenic processes. Weathering indices identified ANGO-P01 as most highly weathered, while TSA-P02 was least weathered and had better fertility indicators. According to USDA Taxonomy, the soils were classified as Ultisols, Vertisols, and Alfisols, corresponding to Acrisols, Alisols, Vertisols, and Luvisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. All studied soils were marginally suitable for potato production (S3f) due to dominant fertility constraints, but with varying minor limitations in climate, topography, and soil physical properties. The findings hence recommended targeted soil fertility management to enhance productivity and sustainability in potato cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 16483 KB  
Article
Rill Erosion and Drainage Development in Post-Landslide Settings Using UAV–LiDAR Data
by Xinyu Chen, Albertus Stephanus Louw, Ali P. Yunus, Saleh Alsulamy, Deha Agus Umarhadi, Md. Alamgir Hossen Bhuiyan and Ram Avtar
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020042 - 1 May 2025
Viewed by 1269
Abstract
Accurate microtopography data are an important input for characterizing small-scale rill erosion and its progression following disturbances. UAV–LiDAR systems are increasingly accessible and have successfully been used to measure microtopography data for several applications. Yet, the use of UAV–LiDAR systems for rill erosion [...] Read more.
Accurate microtopography data are an important input for characterizing small-scale rill erosion and its progression following disturbances. UAV–LiDAR systems are increasingly accessible and have successfully been used to measure microtopography data for several applications. Yet, the use of UAV–LiDAR systems for rill erosion studies in post-landslide landscapes have not been well investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a UAV–LiDAR-based workflow to capture the microtopography of a post-landslide landscape, and by doing so, to help to determine best practices for UAV–LiDAR-based rill analysis. A commercial UAV–LiDAR system was used to map three post-landslide slopes and generate digital elevation models with a 1 cm-per-pixel ground resolution. Using data captured over multiple years, temporal rill development was assessed by comparing rill cross-sections and calculating changes to rill density and erosion volume. A flow-accumulation algorithm was adopted to automatically extract the rill network. We found that a flow accumulation algorithm with a threshold value of 5000 detected the rill network with overall accuracies of >88% and F1-scores of >93%. Vertical cross-sections of individual rills revealed an increase in the depth and width of rills over a one-year period. This study demonstrates that a commercial UAV–LiDAR system can effectively describe microtopography in a post-landslide landscape and facilitate analysis of small-scale rill characteristics and the progression of rill erosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Management on Soil Properties and Processes: 2nd Edition)
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