Landscape degradation and the impact of traditional and industrialized agricultural systems on high productive loess soils in Central Europe

Landscape degradation and the impact of traditional and industrialized agricultural systems on high productive loess soils in Central Europe

The study analyzes the impact of a peasant and an industrialized agricultural land use system on soil degradation in two loess landscapes. It aims to test the hypothesis that agricultural systems on different development stages cause distinct differences in soil and landscape properties.
The two loess landscapes under investigation show great similarities in natural geo-ecological properties. Nevertheless, the land use systems make a significant difference in both research areas. The Polish Proszowice Plateau is characterized by traditional small-scale peasant agriculture. Small plots and fragmented ownership make it difficult to conjointly manage soil erosion. However, the Middle Saxonian Loess Region in Germany represents loess landscapes whose ecological functions were shaped by land consolidation measures resulting in the large-scale, high-input farming system.
To identify representative small catchments for soil sampling relief heterogeneity analyses and a cluster analysis were performed to bridge scales between the landscape and the sub-catchment level. Geo-physical and geo-chemical laboratory techniques were used to analyze major soil properties. A total number of 346 sites were sampled and analyzed for geo-ecological, geo-morphological, and pedological features.
The results show distinct differences in soil properties which were strongly influenced by agricultural management practices typical for the two loess landscapes. A greater variability of the soil mosaic at the Proszowice Plateau is depicted by a higher variance of almost all soil properties. Topsoil features on arable land at the plateau indicate that they are less prone to degradation through mineralization of humic substances.
At the same time the topsoils show significant similarities in some soil properties for example in organic carbon contents and plant available nutrients like phosphorus. In fact, a long legacy effect of previous comparatively high mineral P-inputs between the 1960s and 80s can be observed.
A similar effect occurs in the Middle Saxonian Loess Region. In contrast to the assumption of many scholars small-scale farming at the Proszowice Plateau has not led to an under-supply of plant nutrients.
A further study could include investigations of the effects of soil amendments like herbicides and pesticide on soil degradation as well as the effects of no-till farming practices.