Prehistoric Alteration of Soil Properties in a Central German Chernozemic Soil

Kleber, Markus; Röner, Jenny; Chenu, Claire; Glaser, Bruno; Knicker, Heike; Jahn, Reinhold

doi:10.1097/01.ss.0000064892.94869.3a

Cited by 41 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Data on soil BC stocks worldwide are scarce (Preston and Schmidt, 2006) and no data were found on other Russian Chernozems. BC stock (using the same quantification method as in the present study) in a German Chernozem was lower than at our site, with 1.0 kg m −2 to 1 m depth, but as in our study they found larger BC stock in the subsoil than in the topsoil (Kleber et al, 2003). For comparison with our surface soil BC stocks (Fig.…”

Section: Black Carbon Stockscontrasting

confidence: 44%

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Centennial black carbon turnover observed in a Russian steppe soil

et al. 2008

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Abstract. Black carbon (BC), from incomplete combustion of fuels and biomass, has been considered highly recalcitrant and a substantial sink for carbon dioxide. Recent studies have shown that BC can be degraded in soils. We use two soils with very low spatial variability sampled 100 years apart in a Russian steppe preserve to generate the first wholeprofile estimate of BC stocks and turnover in the field. Quantities of fire residues in soil changed significantly over a century. Black carbon stock was 2.5 kg m −2 , or about 7-10% of total organic C in 1900. With cessation of biomass burning, BC stocks decreased 25% over a century, which translates into a centennial soil BC turnover (293 years best estimate; range 182-541 years), much faster than so-called inert or passive carbon in ecosystem models. The turnover time presented here is for loss by all processes, namely decomposition, leaching, and erosion, although the latter two were probably insignificant in this case. Notably, at both time points, the peak BC stock was below 30 cm, a depth interval, which is not typically accounted for. Also, the quality of the fire residues changed with time, as indicated by the use benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCA) as molecular markers. The proportions of less-condensed (and thus more easily degradable) BC structures decreased, whereas the highly condensed (and more recalcitrant) BC structures survived unchanged over the 100-year period. Our results show that BC cannot be assumed chemically recalcitrant in all soils, and other explanations for very old soil carbon are needed.

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Section: Black Carbon Stockscontrasting

confidence: 44%

“…Few other studies to date have quantified BC concentrations over the whole soil profile (see Kleber et al, 2003;Wang et al, 2005;Rodionov et al, 2006). Most BC concentration studies report only the topsoil values (to 30 cm depth).…”

Section: Black Carbon Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Centennial black carbon turnover observed in a Russian steppe soil

et al. 2008

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“…He suggested that still unknown factors influenced the preservation of Chernozems. Kleber et al (2003) indicated that the patchy distribution of Chernozems could be explained by prehistoric anthropogenic influence on Chernozem pedogenesis.…”

Section: Climate and Relief -Conservation And Degradation Of Chernozemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedogenesis of Chernozems in Central Europe — A review

Gerlach²,

et al. 2007

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Since Dokuchaev's investigations of Russian Chernozems, Central European Chernozems were established as steppe soils, with their pedogenesis dominated by humus accumulation as a result of dry continental climate and steppe vegetation, with carbonaceous parent material and bioturbation as other prerequisites. The WRB-FAO classification defined Chernozems by their morphological characteristics, but was biased by the climo-genetic formation model. However, the assumption that modern Central European Chernozems are relics of steppe soils conflicts with palaeobotanical evidence from an early reforestation that started in the Late Glacial, and also with pedological studies that dated Chernozem formation to the Early Holocene. In this review we compile the most important literature on pedogenesis of Central European Chernozems since the 1920s, according to the soil forming factors climate, time, vegetation, relief and man. Our review demonstrates that there is no consensus on the factors controlling the formation, conservation and degradation of Central European Chernozems in published literature. We found that (1) no absolute time of formation could be stated so far, and that (2) Central European Chernozems formed not only under steppe but also under forest vegetation; (3) the spatial distribution of Chernozems and Phaeozems did not correlate with climate conditions or topographic position, and (4) until now no other factors were considered to be responsible for Chernozem development. Recent studies showed that these unknown factors could include anthropogenic activity and vegetation burning as they could form black soils or strongly affect the composition of soil organic matter. We concluded that not all soils classified as Chernozems in Central Europe are steppe soils and thus, as they do not necessarily reflect past climate, the classification may be misleading. Pedogenesis of Chernozems inCentral Europe -A review Eileen Eckmeier a AbstractSince Dokuchaev's investigations of Russian Chernozems, Central European Chernozems were established as steppe soils, with their pedogenesis dominated by humus accumulation as a result of dry continental climate and steppe vegetation, with carbonaceous parent material and bioturbation as other prerequisites. The WRB-FAO classification defined Chernozems by their morphological characteristics, but was biased by the climo-genetic formation model. However, the assumption that modern Central European Chernozems are relics of steppe soils conflicts with palaeobotanical evidence from an early reforestation that started in the Late Glacial, and also with pedological studies that dated Chernozem formation to the Early Holocene.In this review we compile the most important literature on pedogenesis of Central European Chernozems since the 1920s, according to the soil forming factors climate, time, vegetation, relief and man.Our review demonstrates that there is no consensus on the factors controlling the formation, conservation and degradation of Central European Chernozems in pub...

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“…Charcoal inputs have been proposed to account for the development of dark Chernozemic soils in the Canadian prairies (Ponomarenko and Anderson, 2001), and the Russian steppe (Rodionov et al, 2006) and also the patchy, relict Chernozems in Europe, especially where there were Neolithic settlements (Schmid et al, 2002;Schmidt et al, 2002;Kleber et al, 2003). Black carbon is a defining property of the South American anthropogenic soils (Terra Preta) developed by native populations before European contact.…”

Section: How Fire Affects Soil Properties and Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%