Anthropogenic soils and landscapes of European Russia: Summer school from sea to sea—A didactic prototype

Abstract

Field excursions and trainings are considered a key component of education programs in soil and environmental sciences. They allow mastering students’ practical skills in sampling and onsite assessments and improve understanding of ecosystem integrity and complexity. Urbanization has a substantial impact on soil properties and functions; however, field courses focused on urban soils are rare. We present a didactic prototype and the outcomes of the “Monitoring, Modeling, and Management of Urban Green Infrastructure and Soils (3MUGIS)” summer school—the first educational tour observing anthropogenic soils and landscapes along the bioclimatic gradient in European Russia, from tundra to dry steppes. Didactic learning was based on a studying‐by‐doing approach; students were involved in environmental assessment in multiple regions varying in climatic and socioeconomic features. Considering the high spatial heterogeneity of urban ecosystems, we used express techniques (portable X‐ray fluorescence, infrared gas analyzers) for onsite soil analysis at multiple replicas. The data collected were discussed with local and international experts from Russia, Germany, the United States, and France in the context of regional environmental problems (e.g., pollution, soil degradation, and urban expansion). Students discovered zonal changes in vegetation (e.g., increasing tree height and diversity from north taiga to forest steppes) and soil properties (e.g., a gradual increase in pH and changes in soil organic C), as well as urban‐specific processes and features (e.g., urban heat island effect or soil artifacts). The overall student feedback was very positive (50.8% excellent, 36% good); some specific organizational issues will be addressed for future 3MUGIS summer schools.

Spring wheat yield prediction with empirical regression models using different biomass parameters

“…1. The soil cover is mainly represented by arable medium loamy sod-podzolic soil, cultivated since XVII century [5]. Investigated academical field is under crop rotation and in 2022 was used for spring wheat planting (Triticum aestivum L. breed Darya).…”

Application of DSS in agroecological assessment of the potential of use of chernozem soils in the conditions of the Penza region

“…Runoff furrows and gullies are observed. In the northern part of the field, areas of crop wetting were identified, associated with the nature of intrasoil runoff and gley formation processes [5]. The field area was divided into a regular 100-meter sampling network with samples taken from the network's nodes.…”

Continuous Plant-Based and Remote Sensing for Determination of Fruit Tree Water Status

“…The TreeTalker ® includes a reference and a heated probe (Murata Electronics, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, Japan) to measure the sap flow rate through the heat pulse method; a capacitive sensor to measure trunk moisture content; a 12-spectral-band spectrometer (AS7262 for visible and AS7263 for near infrared band-AMS, Premstaetten, Austria) centered at the wavelengths of 450, 500, 550, 570, 600, 610, 650, 680, 730,760, 810, and 860 nm to measure the multispectral signature of light transmitted through the canopy; a MMA8451Q thermohygrometer (Silicon labs, Austin, TX, USA) to measure air temperature and relative humidity; an infrared distance sensor (SHARP, Osaka, Japan) to measure tree trunk radial growth; a Si7006 accelerometer (NXP/Freescale, Austin, TX, USA) to measure accelerations along a 3D coordinate system used to detect tree movements. The TreeTalker ® has mainly been used in forestry but could potentially be used in fruit trees [188][189][190]. This device could be valuable for assessing both plant water status and consumption.…”