Pedology

Geostatistical modelling has proven to be a good tool for decision making in soil nutrient management because it has the ability to map spatial heterogeneity and uncertainty. This study outlines a comparative approach to quantify the uncertainties and correlations in spatial process models as illustrated for the distribution of Zn in top soils of a semi-arid environment. The spatial correlation of Zn uncertainties is investigated by calculating the semi-variance of normalized Zn concentration residuals, for a sufficiently large dataset, as a function of distance between pairs of locations within the Zn field. Three semi-variogram models, namely: Exponential, Gaussian, and Spherical models were tested on the spatial correlation structure of the normalized residuals and further used as default input model for Sequential Gaussian Simulation. The Sequential Gaussian Simulation led to an improved description of spatial heterogeneity and uncertainty. The choice of semivariogram model is therefore critical for robust Sequential Gaussian Simulation and uncertainty analysis. A new criterion is proposed to inform the choice of default input model for sequential Gaus- sian simulation given by ratio of partial sill to square of major range. With this criterion, Exponential model performed better than both Gaussian and Spherical models. The results indicate spatial correlation in Zn field and it is suggested that the spatial correlation of Zn uncertainties should be considered to exclude inaccurate estimation for spatially dis- tributed systems when performing nutrient distribution studies.

1979, « Forest degradation in Northeastern Thailand between 1954 and 1973 », p. 2-28, chapitre II, et « Rural Landscapes », p. 20-38, chapitre III, + 21 photographies légendées, in INTERIM COMMITTEE FOR CO-ORDINATION OF INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LOWER MEKONG BASIN (Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand and Socialist Republic of VietNam) (Eds) : Interpretation of Remote Sensing Imagery (activity for 1979), éd. multigr. (limited mkg/R.231, August 1979, original : French), report.

The study was to characterize and classify soils of Makurdi proximal to River Benue in North Central, Nigeria. Two soil profile pits were dug, described and sampled base on horizon differentiation for laboratory analyses. Data generated were analyzed statistically using the coefficient of variation (CV) and correlation. The textural classes of horizons of the pedons were predominantly sandy clay loam, sandy loam, and clay loam. Sand fraction had a mean of 550 g/kg in pedon 1 and 470 g/kg in pedon 2. Organic carbon ranged from ≥1.5 g/kg ≤18.8 g/kg in pedon 1 and ≥0.80 g/kg ≤7.00 g/kg in pedon 2 while base saturation had a mean of 42.81 % and 42.75 % in pedons 1 and 2, respectively. The CV indicated that sand, pH(H2O), and total exchangeable acidity had low variability (≥0.00 % ≤11.78 %) while organic carbon and available phosphorus had high variability (≥56.58 % ≤115.32 %) among the horizons of the pedons. However, clay correlated positively (r= 0.405, r= 0.223, r= 0.530) with organic carbon, effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation. Hence, the soils were classified as Psammentic Hapludults (Haplic Fluvisols) for pedon 1 and Arenic Kandiudults (Dystric Arenosols) for pedon 2 using USDA soil taxonomy and correlated with world reference base classification system.

A series of soils of the Mayo-gwoi flood plain in Jalingo Nigeria were classified and characterized to develop a baseline for soil improvement and increase agricultural productivity. Seven pedons were dug in the area marked Soil units 1, 2 and 3 and were examined with regards to their morphology, physical and chemical properties. The soils were formed over basement complex rocks and alluvial deposits, having shallow to deep pedons, they had high sand fraction and clay content which increased irregularly with depth. The dominant hues were 10YR at the surface and 2.5Y at the subsurface indicating poor drainage. Soil texture varied from sandy clay loam to clay. The pH was slightly acidic to alkaline (6.6-7.7), organic carbon was low (mean: 0.2%). The N content was low to moderate with mean value of 0.02%. Available phosphorus content were generally low to moderate in all pedons studied having mean value of 8.8 mg/Kg. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was generally moderate in all the pedons (mean: 8.31 cmol/kg). This result showed that the soils had low inherent fertility. The soils were classified as Typic Ustifluvents/Hydragric Fluvisols, Typic Original Research Article Kefas et al.; IJPSS, 11(2): Taxonomy and WRB for pedons P1 to P2 respectively. These poorly-drained and low fertility soils require (i) a soil fertilization program and (ii) the development of agronomic guidelines for creating farm profitability.

Understanding topography or slopes, identifying physical and chemical properties of soils improves greatly informed management decisions for agricultural productivity. The study on variation of some physical and chemical properties of soils as affected by slope positions was aimed at providing critical fertility status of the soils. Farmers have complained of reduced output from their farm lands due to leaching activities and erosion hazards. Slope positions were delineated using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3 different slope positions were identified (SP1, SP2 and SP3), and each slope position was recognized as a unit. Three (3) profile pits were dug in each unit located at Kugon (SP3), Timdore (SP2) and Sammeri (SP1) respectively. Soil samples were collected in each identified soil horizon of the pits and soil samples were collected for Original Research Article Gisilanbe et al.; AJSSPN, 2(3): 1-13, 2017; Article no.AJSSPN.39047 2 laboratory analysis of some physical and chemical soil properties and One-way analysis of variance was carried out using GraphPad Prism (2007) software, version 5.0 at p<0.05. Soils were slightly acidic to neutral and predominantly sandy in nature (81.00%). The study revealed that slope position influenced water holding capacity and water retention in and were significantly different. Soil chemical properties were not significantly affected by slope positions. The soils were low in nitrogen (0-0.15%), organic carbon (<1%), while AV-P were generally rated medium (10-20), high Ca 2+ (>5) at the Bt horizon, Mg 2+ (>1) and %BS were rated medium to high (50-80, >80) regardless of slope position and are considered fertile with high potential to support agriculture. Good and improved management practices like use of organic material and integrated nutrient management (INM) practice will improve the soil texture and structure; reduce leaching activities and erosion hazards in the area.

Ecosystem services (ESs) are increasingly being used by many countries around the world as a framework for addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review article of the usability of Libyan soil databases for ESs and SDGs is the first of its kind for North Africa. The objectives of the article are to: describe the available soil resources of Libya in relation to an ES framework; provide examples of the usability of Libyan soil databases for ES applications (e.g., provisioning, Healthy Eating Plate), and describe some of the typical disservices in the country. Desertification, salinization, and limited freshwater resources are the largest challenges (disservices) for agriculture and future development in Libya. Seawater intrusion in coastal areas due to rising sea levels has resulted in high concentrations of salts in irrigation waters, which can lead to low soil productivity. These challenges can be addressed by integrating Libyan soil resources into a market that transforms resources into goods and services to meet human demand in a sustainable manner, with non-market institutions mediating the interactions between humans and the environment. If Libyan soil resources are taken into account by both market and non-market institutions, it will lead to more efficient use of soil resources and also should enable the implementation of innovative strategies, such as integrated farming systems, non-soil-based agricultural production (e.g., hydroponics), and alternative farming practices.

Ecosystem services (ESs) are increasingly being used by many countries around the world as a framework for addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review article of the usability of Libyan soil databases for ESs and SDGs is the first of its kind for North Africa. The objectives of the article are to: describe the available soil resources of Libya in relation to an ES framework; provide examples of the usability of Libyan soil databases for ES applications (e.g., provisioning, Healthy Eating Plate), and describe some of the typical disservices in the country. Desertification, salinization, and limited freshwater resources are the largest challenges (disservices) for agriculture and future development in Libya. Seawater intrusion in coastal areas due to rising sea levels has resulted in high concentrations of salts in irrigation waters, which can lead to low soil productivity. These challenges can be addressed by integrating Libyan soil resources into a market that transforms resources into goods and services to meet human demand in a sustainable manner, with non-market institutions mediating the interactions between humans and the environment. If Libyan soil resources are taken into account by both market and non-market institutions, it will lead to more efficient use of soil resources and also should enable the implementation of innovative strategies, such as integrated farming systems, non-soil-based agricultural production (e.g., hydroponics), and alternative farming practices.

Аннотация. Предисловие публикатора к работе П. Шефтеля «Об обновленной педагогике (педологии) и роли врача в ней» (1923).
Abstract. It is a publisher’s foreword to the work f of P.N. Sheftel “On renewed pedagogy (pedology) and doctor’s role in it” (1923).

Ключевые слова: классическое произведение, публикация, Шефтель, педология, врач, предисловие, Сабина Шпильрейн

This dissertation involves the development of a geologic framework applied to upper Pleistocene and earliest Holocene archaeological site discovery. It is argued that efforts to identify colonizer archaeological sites require knowledge of geologic processes, Quaternary stratigraphic detail and an understanding of basic soil science principles. An overview of Quaternary geologic deposits based on previous work in the region is
presented. This is augmented by original research which presents a new, proposed regional pedostratigraphic framework, a new source of lithic raw material, the Beezley chalcedony, and details of a new cache of lithic tools with Paleoindian affinities made from this previously undescribed stone source.

Loess deposits of Northern Iran provide excellent sedimentary archives for understanding past climate and environment changes in the continental interior. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a rapid and non-intrusive tool for characterizing soils and sediments and linking them to environmental processes. Balsam and Deaton (1991) demonstrated that the position of peaks and valleys on the first derivative of the spectral curves are indicative of sediment composition and mineralogy. Our research on the Mobarakabad loess sequence focused on testing the feasibility of DRS for identifying illite and chlorite and the variations of illite to chlorite (I/C) ratios of the samples.Our data strongly suggest that the DRS-derived I/C ratio (325/295 nm) is an effective index for characterizing the weathering of silicate minerals in Iranian loess and can be used for interpreting the pedogenic environment, weathering intensity and paleoclimate changes. Our findings are consistent with the trend of increased I/C ratios in paleosols of Chinese loess sections (cf. Zhao et al., 2005).

Inquadramento geologico, pedologico, idrogeologico e geomorfologico del "Varesotto" raccontando la storia geologica prodotta dalle glaciazioni e  l'evoluzione geomorfologica del territorio per fornire la "base" ad una attenta e sostenibile Pianificazione Urbanistica.

Inquadramento geologico, idrogeologico, geomorfologico e pedologico del "Varesotto" raccontando la storia geologica prodotta dalle glaciazioni e l'evoluzione del territorio per fornire una "base" per un'attenta e sostenibile  pianificazione urbanistica