Effect of Land Use Change on some Physicochemical and Biological Properties of the Soils of Servak Plain, Yasouj Region

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Fatemeh Mehmandoost
• Hamidreza Owliaie
• Ebrahim Adhami
• Reza Naghiha

Yasouj University

https://doi.org/10.22067/jsw.v32i3.71746

Abstract

Introduction: Land use changes such as conversion of forest to cultivated lands, significantly affect soil properties and modify soil forming processes. Land use changes can drastically affect the soil environment, which in turn markedly affect soils and soil processes. Human activities that are not associated with proper planning have undesirable effects on natural resources such as soil, including land use change. The results of the investigations in different parts of the world show that changing the use of natural ecosystems to managed ecosystems has destructive effects on soil properties. Cutting off the forest trees and converting pastures into agricultural lands will destroy or disrupt natural ecosystems and reduce the current or future production capacity of the soil. One of the important issues in the world is the destructive effects of agriculture on soil quality. These destructive effects can include a wide range of soil changes including physical properties such as soil compaction, soil water depletion, soil structure destruction and soil texture change, chemical properties such as accumulation of some elements such as N, P, K, and soil salinity, and soil biological properties such as soil microbial population and soil fauna activity changes, soil organic matter reduction and also effect on useful soil enzymes. Land use change from forest to agriculture does not necessarily lead to soil degradation. Land use changes and forest destruction in Yasouj region has increased in last decades. In this study, we investigated the effects of land use change on some soil characteristics in Servak plain, Yasouj region.
Materials and Methods: Servak region is located in 4 km south of Yasouj city. Three main land uses of dense forest, degraded forest, and dry farming were chosen to study the role of land use change on some soil properties.. The elevation of the region varies from 1833 to 1869 m above sea level. Five soil samples (0-20 cm) were taken from each land use. Samples from each land use were taken from almost similar elevation and slope to minimize the effect of topography. Soil samples were transferred to the laboratory, air dried and passed through a 2mm sieve. The chemical and biological analyses were carried out. The determination of soil organic carbon was carried out based on the Walkley-Black chromic acid wet oxidation method. Available K was extracted with 1N ammonium acetate at pH=7 and was determined by flame photometry. The Olsen method was used for the determination of available phosphorus. Total nitrogen was measured using the Kjeldahl method. Soil bacterial communities were counted using culture medium (Nutrient agar. The basal respiration rate was estimated by back-titration of the unreacted NaOH to determine CO2 evolved over 10 h. The substrate-induced respiration was measured by adding 2 ml of 1% glucose to soil samples over 6 h. Soil suspensions were prepared by 10-fold serial dilutions with 1g soil. Counting the soil fungal community was done using a culture medium (Potato dextrose agar) and was prepared by 10-fold serial dilutions. The activity of alkaline and acid phosphate enzymes was measured based on a colorimetric method using p-nitrophenol.
Results and Discussion: The land use change from a dense forest to dry farming has modified many chemical and biological soil properties. The results of analysis of variance and comparison of the means of data obtained from this study showed that as a result of land use change from dense forest to dry farming, Organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable potassium, basal and substrate-induced respiration, fungal community, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes contents were decreased. Also, soil bacterial communities were increased at 1% level in dry farming land use. The amounts of phosphorus did not show any significant difference. In general, it can be concluded that following the degradation of the forest and land use change, the soil organic matter and relevant properties, especially biological indices, are more affected compared to the other properties. Soil organic matter plays a key role in ensuring agroecosystem productivity and the long-term conservation of soil resources.
Conclusions: Large-scale conversion of indigenous forests to cultivated land, driven by long-term agricultural development in the Servak region, has greatly affected the physicochemical and biological properties of the soils. Generally, the conversion of the natural ecosystem to agroecosystems decreased organic carbon content and relevant indices such as basal and substrate-induced respiration, fungal community, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes contents in the top-soils at depth of 0 to 20 cm. The decrease of organic carbon in cropped farms could be attributed to the enhanced oxidation of soil organic C caused by cultivation. The results of this study showed that any management and type of land use that decreases soil capabilities can reduce soil quality and increase the susceptibility to degradation. So, in order to maintain soil quality, appropriate management practices should be done.

Keywords

• Forest Soil
• Fungi community
• Soil elements
• Soil enzymes

20.1001.1.20084757.1397.32.3.11.9

References

1- Acosta-Martinez V., Cruz L., Sotomayor- Ramirez D., and Perez-Alegria L. 2007. Enzyme Activities as affected by soil properties and land use in a tropical watershed. Applied Soil Ecology, 35(1) : 35- 45.

2- Aliasgharzad N., Jafarzadeh A., Alipour L., and Tavassoli A. 2010. Assessing land use impacts on soil quality using biological indicators. Proceedings of 16th AAS and 1st ISAT, Bangkok, Thailand.

3- Anderson I.C., and Cairney J.W.G. 2004. Diversity and ecology of soil fungal communities: increased understanding through the application of molecular techniques. Environment Microbiology Journal, 6(8) : 769-779.

4- Anderson J.P.E. 1982. Soil respiration. Chemical and microbiological properties. p. 831-871. In: A. L. Page and R. H. Miller (Eds.). Method of soil analysis. Part2.. The American Society of Agronomy Madison Wisconsin.

5- Balesdent J., Chenu C., and Balabane M. 2000. Relationship of soil organic matter dynamics to physical protection and tillage. Soil and Tillage Research, 53: 215-230.

6- Bewket W., and Stroosnijder I. 2003. Effects of agro-ecological land use succession on soil properties in Chemoga Watershed, Blue Nil Basins, Ethiopia. Geoderma, 111(1-2): 85-98.

7- Bremner J.M., and Mulvany C. S. 1982. Nitrogen-total, PP: 595-624, In: Page, A.L., R.H. Miller and D.R. Keeney. Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Soil Science Society of America, Madiso, Wisconsin.

8- Caravaca F., Masciandaro F., and Ceccanti B. 2002. Land use in relation to soil chemical and biochemical properties in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. Soil and Tillage Research, 68: 23–30.

9- Celic I. 2005. Land-use effects on organic matter and physical properties of soil in a southern Mediterranean highland of Turkey. Soil and Tillage Research, 83: 270-277.

10- De Moraes J. F. L., Volkoff B., and Cerri C. C. 1996. Soil properties under Amazon forest and changes due to pasture installation in Rondonia, Brazil. Geoderma, 70(1): 63-81.

11- Dominy C. S. and Haynes R. J. 2002. Influence of agricultural land management on organic matter content, microbial activity and aggregate stability in the profiles of two Oxisols. Biology and Fertility Soils, 36: 298-305.

12- Dumanski J., and Pieri C. 2000. Land quality indicators: research plan. Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment, 81(2) : 93-102.

13- Emadi M., and Emadi M. 2008. Effect of land use change on selected soil physical and chemical properties in North Highlands of Iran. Journal of Applied Sciences, 8(3): 496- 502.

14- Finkenbeina P., Kretschmerc K., Kukab K., Klotza S., and Heilmeier H. 2013. Soil enzyme activities as bioindicators for substrate quality in revegetation of a subtropical coal mining dump. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 56: 87-89.

15- Fracetto G. G. M., Azevedo L. C. B., Fracetto F. J. C., Andreote F.D., Lambais M.R., and Pfenning L.H. 2013. Impact of Amazon landuse on the community of soil fungi. Sciatica Agricola, 70(2): 59-67.

16- Fu B.J., Guo X.D., Chen L.D., Ma K.L. and Li J.R. 2001. Soil nutrient changes due to land use changes in Northern China: a case study in Zunhua Country Hebei Provine. Soil Use and Management, 17: 294-296.

17- Hajabasi M. A., Jalalian A., and Karimzadeh H. R. 1997. Deforestation effects on soil physical and chemical properties Lordegan. Iran. Plant and soil, 190: 301-308. (In Persian with English abstract)

18- Islam K. R., and Will R. R. 2000. Land use effects on soil quality in a tropical forest ecosystem of Bangladesh. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 79: 9-16.

19- Jackson M.L. 1975. Soil Chemical Analysis: Advanced Course. Department of Soils, College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.

20- Jalali G., Lakzian A., Astaraei A., Haddad A., Azadvar M., and Esfandiarpour I. 2016. The impact of land use on bacterial community composition and physicochemical properties of soil. Bioscience Biotechnology Research Asia, 13(4): 2167-2176.

21- Khademi H., Mohammadi J., and Nael M. 2006. Comparison of selected soil quality indicators in different land use management systems in Boroojen, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari province, The Scientific Journal of Agriculture, 29: 111-124. (in Persian)

22- Khormali F., Ajami M., Ayoubi S., Srinivasarao C.H., and Wani S.P. 2009. Role of deforestation and hillslope position on soil quality attributes of loess-derived soils in Golestan province, Iran. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 134 (3-4):178-189. (In Persian with English abstract)

23- Kiani, F., Jalalian, A., Pashayi, A., and Khademi, H. 2008. The role of forest destruction, extinction of pastures on soil quality indices in loessy lands of Golestan province. Journal of Water and Soil Science and Technology of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 47: 453-463. (In Persian with English abstract)

24- Kizilkaya R., and Dengiz O. 2010. Variation of land use and land cover effects on some soil physico-chemical characteristics and soil enzyme activity. Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, 97(2): 15-24.

25-Kosmas Z.C., Gerontidis S., and Marathianou M. 2000. The effect of land use change on soils and vegetation over various lithological formations on Lesvos (Greece). Catena, 40: 51-68.

26- Larson, J. E., Worren D. F., and Langto N. K. 1959. Effect of Fe and Al and Humic acid on phosphorous fiction by organic soil. Soil Science Society America Proceeding, 123: 438-440.

27- Lal R. 2004. Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security. Science, 304: 1623-1627.

28- Lemenih M., and Itanna F. 2004. Soil carbon stock and turnovers in various vegetation types and arable lands along an elevation gradient in Southern Ethiopia. Geoderma, 123: 177–188.

29- Lemenih M., Karltun M., and Olsson M. 2005. Assessing soil chemical and physical property responses to deforestation and subsequent cultivation in small holders farming system in Ethiopia. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 105: 373-386.

30- Li Q., Liang J.H., He Y.Y., Hu, Q. J., and Yu S. 2014. Effect of land use on soil enzyme activities at karst area in Nanchuan, Chongqing, Southwest China. Plant, Soil and Environment, 60(1): 15–20.

31- Li Y.T., Rouland C., Benedetti M., Li F.B., Pando A., Lavelle P., and Dai J. 2009. Microbial biomass, enzyme and mineralization activity in relation to soil organic C, N and P turnover influenced by acid metal stress. Soil Biology and Biochemistry Journal, 41(5) :969-977.

32- Longley P.A., and Mesev V. 2000. On the measurement and generalization of urban form. Environment and Planning A, 32 : 473 – 488.

33- Marphy J., and Riley J.P. 1952. A modified sing, solution method for determination of phosphate uptake by rye. Soil Science Society America Journal, 48: 31-36.

34- Matinizadeh M., AliAhmadKorori S., Khoshnevis M., and Teimouri M. 2004. Identification of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi with juniper (Juniperus excelsa) and their prevalence in Syrachal habitat. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 13 (4): 385-400.

35- McDonald I.R. Lifer I., Sassen R., Mitchell R., and Gui Nasso N. 2002. Transfer of Hyalvocarbons from Natural see to the water column and Atmosphere. Geofluids, 2: 95-107.

36- Meng Q., Fu B., Tang X. and Ren H. 2008. Effect of land use on phosphorus loss in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 139: 195-204.

37- Naghrajah S., Posner A. M., and Quirk J. P. 1970. Competitive adsorption of phosphates with polygalacturonate and other organic anions on kaolinite and oxide surfaces. Nature, Netherlands, 228(5266), 83.

38- Niknahad H., and Maramaei M. 2011. Effects of land use changes on soil properties (Case Study: the Kechik catchment). Journal of Sustainable Soil Management, 1: 81- 96. (In Persian)

39- Pratt P.F. 1965. Potassium. 1022–1030. In: Black, C.A. Methods of Soil Analysis, 215 part 2. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.

40- Raiesi F. 2007. The conversion of overgrazed pastures to almond orchards and alfalfa cropping systems may favor microbial indicators of soil quality in Central Iran. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 121(4) : 309–318.

41- Raiesi F., and Asadi E. 2006. Soil microbial activity and litter turnover in native grazed and ungrazed rangelands in a semiarid ecosystem. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 43: 76–82.

42- Ramezanpur H., and Rasuli N. 2015. Study of the effects of land use and material on some soil characteristics. Journal of Soil Science (Soil and Water Sciences), 21(2): 229-231. (In Persian with English abstract).

43- Reahi M. 2009. Effects of microbial activity and soil enzymes on some reference rangelands of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. MSc thesis. Shahrekord University. 22(1):50-60. (In Persian)

44- Refahi H. 1997. Water erosion and its control, Tehran University Press.

45- Rezaei N., Roozitalab M., and Ramezanpour H. 2012. Effect of land use change on soil propertie and clay mineralogy of forest soils developed in the Caspian Sea region of Iran. Journal of Agriculture and Science Technology, 14: 1617-1624. (In Persian with English abstract).

46- Sakbaeva Z., Acosta-Martinez V., Moore- Kucera J., Hudnall W., and Nuridin K. 2012. Interactions of soil order and land use management on soil properties in the Kukart watershed, Kyrgyzstan. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. Article ID 130941, 11 pages.

47- Salardini A. A. 1995. Soil Fertility. University of Tehran Press, 428p (In Persian).

48- Salazara S., Sanchezb L.E., Alvareza J., Valverdea A., Galindoc P., Igualc J.M., Peixa A., and Santa-Regina I. 2011. Correlation among soil enzyme activities under different forest system management practices. Ecological Engineering, 37(8) :1123–1131.

49- Saraswathy, R., Suganya, S., and Singaram P. 2007. Environmental impact of nitrogen fertilization in tea eco-system. Journal Environment Biology, 28: 779-88.

50- Shaabanzadeh S., Jafarian Z., Shokri M., and Kavian A.S. 2012. Study of some physical and chemical properties of soil in the three adjacent cases. Case study (Kesar region). 12th Iranian Soil Science Congress, Tabriz, 12-14 September. (in Persian).

51- Six J., Elliot E.T., and Paustian K. 2000. Soil macroaggregate turn over and micro-aggregate formation for C sequestration under no-tillage agriculture. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 32(14): 2099-2103.

52- Solomon D., Fritzscheb F., Lehmanna J., Tekalignc M., and Zech W. 2002. Soil organic matter dynamics in the subhumid agroecosystems of the Ethiopian Highlands. Soil Science Society America Journal, 66: 969-978.

53- Tabatabai, M. A. 1994. Soil enzymes, In: Weaver, R.W. (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Soil Science Society of America, Monograph, Madison, Wisconsin, 9: 775-833.

54- Tellen V.A., and Yerima B.P.K. 2018. Effects of land use change on soil physicochemical properties in selected areas in the North West region of Cameroon. Environmental Systems Research, 7 (3).

55- Tiessen H., Menezes R.S.C., Salcedo I.H., and Wick B. 2003. Tree effects, soil fertility and organic matter turnover in a silvo-pastoral system in semi-arid NE Brazil. Plant Soil, 252: 195-205.

56- Trasar-Cepeda C., Leiros M.C., and Gil-Sotres F. 2008. Hydrolytic enzyme activities in agricultural and forest soils. Some implications for their use as indicators of soil quality. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40(9): 2146-2155.

57- Trumbore S. E., Davidson E. A., De Camargo P.B., Nepestad D. C., and Martinelli L.A. 1995. Belowground cycling of carbon in forests and pastures of Eastern Amazonia. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 9: 915-528.

58- Wang B., Xue S., Liu G.B., Zhang G.H., Li G., and Ren Z.P. 2012. Changes in soil nutrient and enzyme activities under different vegetations in the Loess Plateau area, Northwest China. Catena, 92: 186-195.

59- Wang Q., Xiao F., He T., and Wang S. 2013. Responses of labile soil organic carbon and enzyme activity in mineral soils to forest conversion in the subtropics. Annals of Forest Science, 70: 579-587.

60- Wollum A. G. 1982. Cultural methods for soil microorganisms, In: Page A.L. (ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Am. Soc. Agron. Soil Science Society America, Madison, WI. 781-801.