Forty Years of Soil Formation in a South Georgia, USA Borrow Pit

Abstract

This study investigated soil properties in a sand borrow pit in southern Georgia, USA that was used in 1961 and then abandoned with no efforts at reclamation and compares those developing soils to natural soils surrounding the pit. There are distinct vegetative zones within the pit; three are included in this study. Soil samples were collected and described using standard techniques and analyzed for bulk density, C content, texture, pH, and penetration resistance. Piezometers and thermometers were installed to track water levels and soil temperature. Rates of leaf litter accumulation and pit revegetation were determined, and a detailed topographic map of the pit was prepared. Although soil formation over only 41 yr is slight, there are distinct differences in the soils between the vegetative zones that were studied. Soil differences are attributed to differences in topographically controlled access to water and bulk density/penetration resistance, which influence vegetative growth and litter accumulation. Study of surrounding developed soils reveals that soils within the pit still have a significant amount of development remaining before they reach equilibrium with the natural environment.

The interdisciplinary nature of <i>SOIL</i>

“…Conversely, studies carried out on archaeological structures have been useful in soil research. Parsons et al (1962) used soils formed in dated archaeological features to estimate rates of soil formation, while archaeological sites (Sandor and Eash, 1991) and features (Brevik and Fenton, 2012;Brevik, 2013b) (Fig. 4) have been used to investigate long-term effects of human activity on soil processes and properties.…”

Soil erosion in sloping vineyards assessed by using botanical indicators and sediment collectors in the Ruwer-Mosel valley

“…This is why changes in soil management results in changes in the quality of the wine and in the quantity of grapes (Ruiz-Colmenero et al, 2011, 2013, and farmers have their own perceptions about how no-tillage damages the quality of the wine (Marqués et al, 2015). Sustainably managed soils can increase soil aggregate stability, water retention, and biodiversity and reduce soil and nutrient losses (Costantini et al, 2015;Ola et al, 2015).…”

“…Vineyards often have highly degraded soils, with soil lowering up to 0.5 to 2 mm yr À1 Prosdocimi et al, 2016a), rates that vastly exceed natural rates of pedogenesis (Brevik, 2013), which is due to: i) traditional tillage management (Cerdan et al, 2010;Francone et al, 2010); ii) the application of pesticides (Marín et al, 2016); iii) low soil organic matter and water retention capacity (Brillante et al, 2015); iv) biological degradation (Costantini et al, 2015;Cagnarli et al, 2015); and, v) the impact of irrigation (Terrón et al, 2015). Most of the wine growers, local and regional governments, and viticulture companies have contributed to improve the production of wine, dissemination of tourism, promotion of vineyard landscapes.…”

Soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient in the Despeñaperros Natural Park, southern Spain

“…Although the impact of topographic position on soil properties on SOC content is widely recognized (Venterea et al, 2003;Fu et al, 2004;Brevik, 2013), relatively few studies have been conducted to examine the role of topographic position (Fernández-Romero et al, 2014;Lozano-García et al, 2014).…”

“…The spatial variation of soil properties may also be significantly influenced by aspect (which may induce microclimate variations), physiography, parent material, and L. Parras-Alcántara et al: Soil organic carbon along an altitudinal gradient vegetation (López-Vicente et al, 2009;Brevik, 2013;Ashley et al, 2014;Bakhshandeh et al, 2014;Dingil et al, 2014;Gebrelibanos et al, 2014;Kirkpatrick et al, 2014). Ovales and Collins (1986) evaluated soil variability due to pedogenic processes across landscapes in contrasting climatic environments and concluded that topographic position and variations in soil properties were significantly related.…”