Interactions between soil structure dynamics, hydrological processes, and organic matter cycling: A new soil‐crop model

• DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13455
• Publication Date: 2024-03-11T03:24:00Z
• Authors: Nicholas Jarvis; Elsa Coucheney; Elisabet Lewan; Tobias Klöffel; Katharina H. E. M...; Thomas Keller; Mats Larsbo
• Keywords: Soil structure; Soil morphology; Soil carbon; Soil functions

Abstract The structure of soil is critical for the ecosystem services it provides since regulates many key processes, including water, air and solute movement, root growth activity biota. Soil dynamic, driven by external factors such as land management climate mediated a wide range biological agents physical processes operating at strongly contrasting time‐scales, from seconds (e.g., tillage) to decades faunal aggregation). In this respect, positive feedbacks in soil–plant system may lead longer term degradation or recovery structurally poor soils. As far we are aware, no existing soil‐crop model can account processes. paper, describe new (USSF, Uppsala Structure Function) that accounts effects dynamics on water organic matter cycling profile scale. expressed time‐varying (bulk density, porosity) hydraulic properties (water retention, conductivity) responding (i.e., earthworms, plant roots) tillage, swell‐shrink) seasonal decadal time‐scales. first application model, present results 30‐year scenario simulations illustrate potential role importance balance, carbon storage soil, growth, winter wheat yields two soils (loam clay) central Sweden. A sensitivity analysis was also performed these scenarios using Morris method elementary effects, which revealed most sensitive parameters controlling USSF those determining aggregation induced turnover swell/shrink. We suggest promising tool investigate phenomena triggered use change. Results study show feedback potentially long‐term predictions crop production, sequestration under global