Soil evolution after land-reshaping in mountains areas (Aosta Valley, NW Italy)

Curtaz, Fabienne; Stanchi, Silvia; D’Amico, Michele; Filippa, Gianluca; Zanini, Ermanno; Freppaz, Michèle

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2014.09.013

Cited by 26 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Lal, 2006), and also our previous findings confirmed this trend (e.g. Curtaz et al, 2014), indicating a significant role of organic matter in soil aggregation and consistency, i.e. in preserving soil physical quality.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…For example, Yalcin (2007) underlined that soils with limited cohesion, when subjected to water saturation, are susceptible to erosion during heavy rainfall. Stanchi et al (2012a), Curtaz et al (2014) and Vacchiano et al (2014) proposed LL and PL as indicators to assess the vulnerability of mountain soils to erosion (also including in this term all shallow movements affecting the topsoil layer). Soil consistency may in fact influence soil susceptibility to hydrogeological hazard and therefore it may be a relevant indicator of soil physical quality, which is strongly dependent on soil water content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Liquid and plastic limits of mountain soils as a function of the soil and horizon type

Stanchi

D’Amico

Zanini

et al. 2015

CATENA

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Soil degradation by processes such as soil erosion, shallow landslides, debris-flows etc. is a significant problem in mountain areas, and is a crucial issue for natural hazard assessment in mountain areas. Several soil properties, among which are the liquid and plastic limits, i.e. moisture contents for which a soil passes from the plastic to liquid state (liquid limit, LL) and from the semisolid to plastic state (PL, plastic limit), have been proposed as indicators for soil vulnerability to degradation processes, both of natural and anthropogenic origin. In this research we investigated the liquid and plastic limits of the main soil groups of World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) classification present in Aosta Valley (N-W Italian Alps) from a pedogenic perspective. In particular, we compared 1) soils at different stages of development; and 2) different genetic horizons. Our main aim was to provide and interpret data on soils' consistency and mechanical behavior that may be used as indexes for the assessment of soil vulnerability. Despite its relatively small area, the Aosta Valley is characterized by a wide range of soil types. Sixty-two soils with different profile evolution stages, representative of 7 WRB soil groups, were investigated and LL and PL in genetic horizons were studied at the soil type and genetic horizons level. In general, soil consistency was largely determined by the organic matter content (both in topsoils and organic matter-enriched subsurface horizons), but in spodic horizons and some C horizons a role of poorly crystalline and pedogenic iron oxides was observed too. Considering the vulnerability to consistency loss, that can result in erosion processes and overall soil degradation, surface horizons were generally less vulnerable, as could be expected on the basis of previous research, i.e. showed higher LL and PL values, than the deeper ones, generally characterized by a reduction of soil consistency. Therefore, topsoil could receive higher water inputs while still preserving their consistency and strength. This was not confirmed in Podzols, where the organic matter enrichment of spodic horizons determined a discontinuity in physical properties between the E horizons (more vulnerable) and the underlying, spodic ones. The same trend was observed for Calcisols with a deep cemented Bkm horizon. The research provided a novel overview on LL and PL in the common soil types present in the Alpine region, integrating the already existing research on topsoil vulnerability to degradation processes (erosion, consistency losses, losses of strength), and the regional soil database. The use of LL and PL as indicators of soil physical quality was approached with a pedogenic perspective, which might be helpful for a better definition of hazard assessment at the regional scale.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid and plastic limits of mountain soils as a function of the soil and horizon type

Stanchi

D’Amico

Zanini

et al. 2015

CATENA

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“…As a consequence, deeper horizons or unweathered parent material are exposed to the atmosphere and consequently to weathering processes. Similar mechanical disturbances have been evidenced by Curtaz et al [20] for agricultural soils subject to land reshaping, in a work that aimed at monitoring the recovery of soil properties after disturbance. Despite the study focussing on agricultural land, some general conclusions can be drawn that may also hold true for the soils of ski areas.…”

Section: Effects On Soil Physical and Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…The newly built soil, similarly to terraced soils, can be regarded as the product of an anthropogenic "Entisolization process" [21] and can be particularly vulnerable to erosion processes. Despite a marked worsening of soil physical properties, a trend towards the restoration of the initial properties was observed [20]. Laboratory indicators such as soil aggregate stability and consistency could be therefore proposed to study the evolution of ski runs after soil disturbance.…”

Section: Effects On Soil Physical and Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disturbances due to ski-run construction may also result in significant changes in particle-size distribution and content of organic carbon [4,20], again affecting the aggregate stability and porosity which are controlled by the soil organic matter as the main binding agent in alpine topsoils [22]. The altered physical soil properties due to machine grading, also results in an altered soil water content and can cause increased surface flow and lead to impact the water system of a catchment area [23].…”

Section: Effects On Soil Physical and Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sustainable Soil Management in Ski Areas: Threats and Challenges

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The skiing industry often represent the main contribution to mountain regions' economy, by providing several economic benefits and the improvement of services and infrastructure. Ski resorts also play a crucial role as an impacting factor, causing severe changes on Alpine landscape and ecosystems. In particular ski runs construction and operation have considerable impacts on alpine soils, influencing their chemical and physical properties which affecting the establishment and development of plant communities. The work provides a description of the changes in soil properties and the related effects on vegetation. It aims furthermore to investigate the recent best practices applied for a successful soil restoration after ski runs construction, which may contribute to a sustainable use of mountain soils and ecosystems. Based on the current regulatory framework, this review gives a global overview on how, in Europe and specifically in Italy, the sustainable use of soils is considered during the construction and management of ski runs. As the framework is still lacking of specific rules regarding soil protection and management on ski runs, the present work wishes to provide recommendations in order to fill this gap, favoring the effective application of best practices for soil protection during ski run construction and maintenance.

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