Soil types of Aosta Valley (NW-Italy)

D’Amico, Michele; Pintaldi, Emanuele; Sapino, E.; Colombo, Nicola; Quaglino, E.; Stanchi, Silvia; Navillod, Evelyne; Rocco, Raffaele; Freppaz, Michèle

doi:10.1080/17445647.2020.1821803

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…K values were in line with those reported by Biddoccu et al for Italian eroded vineyards in a hilly environment [4]. Compared to the common soils in the inner Aosta Valley (Calcic Regosols and Calcisols, with median K values equal to 0.039 and 0.046 respectively according to the regional map repository [10]), the considered topsoils (Table 1) were however less erodible probably due to the abundance of coarse sand.…”

Section: Rainfall Data Soil Erodibility and Erosion Estimatessupporting

confidence: 89%

“…This might justify the relatively low erosion rates observed, due to high infiltration rates. The main pedogenic process acting in the area was CaCO3 precipitation as commonly seen in the inner portion of Aosta Valley region [10]. The topsoil showed a severe aggregate loss, that can be related to coarse textures, low organic matter content, and management practices, including mechanization, besides erosion due to severe slope.…”

Section: Soil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…A recent regional estimate (1: 100,000) based on the newly released soil map of Aosta Valley [9,10] showed an average soil loss of 9.8 t ha −1 y −1 in vineyards developing on different soil types. Other measures and estimates exist in Aosta Valley region, which is characterized by very heterogeneous soils and climatic regimes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

Stanchi

Zecca²,

Hudek

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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We studied the effects of three soil management approaches (permanent grassing, chemical weeding, and buffer strips), and the additional impact of tractor passage on soil erosion in a sloping vineyard located in the inner part of Aosta Valley (N-W Italian Alps). The vineyard rows were equipped with a sediment collection system with channels and barrel tanks. A total of 12 events with sediment production were observed across 6 years, and the collected sediments were weighted and analyzed. Average erosion rates ranged from negligible (mainly in grassed rows) to 1.1 t ha−1 per event (after weeding). The most erosive event occurred in July 2015, with a total rainfall of 32.2 mm, of which 20.1 were recorded in 1 h. Despite the limited number of erosive events observed, and the low measured erosion rates, permanent grassing reduced soil erosion considerably with respect to weeding; buffering had a comparable effect to grassing. The tractor passage, independent of the soil management approaches adopted, visibly accelerated the erosion process. The collected sediments were highly enriched in organic C, total N, and fine size fractions, indicating a potential loss of fertility over time. Despite the measured erosion rates being low over the experiment’s duration, more severe events are well documented in the recent past, and the number of intense storms is likely to increase due to climate change. Thus, the potential effects of erosion in the medium and long term need to be limited to a minimum rate of soil loss. Our experiment helped to compare soil losses by erosion under different soil management practices, including permanent grassing, i.e., a nature-based erosion mitigation measure. The results of the research can provide useful indications for planners and practitioners in similar regions, for sustainable, cross-sectoral soil management, and the enhancement of soil ecosystem services.

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Section: Rainfall Data Soil Erodibility and Erosion Estimatessupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Soil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

Stanchi

Zecca²,

Hudek

et al. 2021

Sustainability

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“…This indicated that sorption processes on minerals and interaction with metal ions in these ancient soils played a fundamental role in OM preservation (Wiseman & Püttmann, 2006), prolonging its mean residence time (Saggar et al, 1996). This is consistent with the relatively high pedogenic weathering degree of the soil materials and the consequent prevalence of crystalline forms over poorly crystalline ones (Fe d > > Fe ox ), with much higher Fe d values than those found in topsoils in nearby mountain areas (e.g., D'Amico et al, 2020). Amorphous Fe and Al (hydr)oxides interact very efficiently with OM, while more crystalline (hydr)oxides generally offer lower surface area and a number of sorption sites (Kaiser et al, 2007; Mikutta et al, 2006; Celi et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Origin and characteristics of ancient organic matter from a high‐elevation Lateglacial Alpine Nunatak (NW Italy)

Pintaldi

Santoro

D’Amico

et al. 2022

European J Soil Science

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In high‐mountain areas, Pleistocene glaciations and erosion‐related processes erased most of the pre‐existing landforms and soils. However, on scattered stable surfaces, ancient soils can be locally preserved for long periods, retaining valuable palaeoenvironmental information. Such relict surfaces survived during glaciations either through coverage by non‐erosive, cold‐based, ice or as nunataks. Thus, soils preserved on such surfaces retain an excellent pedo‐signature of different specific past climatic/environmental conditions. In this study, we performed a detailed chemical characterisation of the organic material found in palaeosols, discovered inside periglacial features on a high‐elevation Lateglacial Alpine Nunatak (Stolenberg Plateau), above 3000 m a.s.l. (NW Italian Alps). The soil organic matter (OM) was separated into different pools by means of density fractionation, in order to separate the more fresh/unaltered free and occluded organic material (Light Fraction) from the stable fraction chemically bound to the mineral phase (Mineral Organic Matter—MOM). To better characterise the MOM fraction, this was further subjected to chemical fractionation, in order to separate the alkali‐extractable OM (ext‐MOM) from the fraction intimately bound to minerals. The obtained fractions were then characterised by chemical and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the largest part (>90%) of organic carbon was stored in the stable MOM pool, characterised by a high degree of decomposition and consisting mainly of paraffinic substances, such as lipids and waxes (37–50%), cellulose and hemicellulose (29–37%). The OM likely originated from autochthonous, well‐adapted, ancient alpine vegetation (alpine tundra) that grew on the Plateau during warm climatic phases since the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). These results further strengthen the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction at the Stolenberg Plateau, which represents a Lateglacial Alpine Nunatak, and has acted as biological refugia (at least) since the end of the LGM. Highlights The origin and composition of ancient organic matter from a high‐elevation Alpine Nunatak were uncovered. More than 90% of organic carbon was stored in the stable mineral organic matter (MOM) pool. Based on NMR and FT‐IR spectra the MOM fraction consisted of paraffinic substances (37–50%), cellulose and hemicellulose (29–37%). The organic matter originated from ancient alpine tundra that developed on the Nunatak since the end of the Last Glacial Maximum.

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“…(Pecher et al, 2011). Climax soils under the climax alpine prairie are Skeletic Umbrisols or Skeletic Dystric Cambisols (IUSS Working Group WRB, 2015;D'Amico et al, 2020a).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Successional Herbaceous Species Affect Soil Processes in a High-Elevation Alpine Proglacial Chronosequence

Mainetti

D’Amico

Probo

et al. 2021

Front. Environ. Sci.

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The study investigated plant-soil interactions along a proglacial chronosequence in the Italian Alps, with a specific focus on pioneer and grassland species structure and biogeochemical processes, with the aim to evaluate the biotic patterns in ecosystem development. We recorded vascular plant frequencies and the mean diameter of one pioneer and one grassland target species in 18 permanent plots distributed along six different stages encompassing a 170-years chronosequence in the Lauson Glacier forefield (NW Italy). We evaluated the main soil properties and measured the C:N:P stoichiometry in the biomass of pioneer and grassland target species and in the underlying soil. For comparative purposes, we analyzed also bare soils sampled near the sampled plant individuals. Pioneer species number and cover significantly increased 10 and 40 years after deglaciation respectively, while alpine grassland species cover and number peaked only after 65 and 140 years, respectively. Along the chronosequence, soils beneath vascular plants were enriched in nutrients, especially under individuals of alpine grassland species, with total organic C contents ranging between 1.3 and 8.9 g·kg−1 compared to 0.2 and 3.3 g·kg−1 in bare soils. Nitrogen content in bare soils was nearly undetectable, while it increased in the plant-affected soils, leading to a more balanced C:N:P stoichiometry in the oldest stages. The colonization of alpine grassland species started immediately, although species number and cover increased only when the soil acquired sufficient nutrient supply and functionality. Although the ecosystem remained C and N limited, the soil could provide adequate conditions for more competitive species establishment, as confirmed by the increasing number and cover of alpine grassland species. Thus, soil nutrient dynamics were strongly influenced by plants, with a major influence triggered by late-successional grassland species.

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Soil types of Aosta Valley (NW-Italy)

Cited by 15 publications

References 29 publications

Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

Origin and characteristics of ancient organic matter from a high‐elevation Lateglacial Alpine Nunatak (NW Italy)

Successional Herbaceous Species Affect Soil Processes in a High-Elevation Alpine Proglacial Chronosequence

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