Applied field research articleHumusica 1, article 2: Essential bases—Functional considerations☆
Section snippets
A functional classification
Classifying makes sense only if the established categories of objects correspond to a few references allowing us to better understand the observable real world (see also in Humusica 1, Article 1: Essential bases – Vocabulary and Article 7: Terrestrial humus systems and forms – Field practice and sampling problems). We have named these references Humus forms (= theoretical groups of humus profiles displaying the same series of diagnostic horizons) and Humus systems (= theoretical groups of humus
What is a humus system?
The humipedon – the upper part of a soil made of organic and/or organic-mineral horizons – is directly under the influence of the aboveground parts of an ecosystem. The humipedon constitutes an interaction system born to manage a functional transition between organic and mineral worlds. This humus system has the possibility to degrade structured organic matter and use it as a source of energy. Further, it may act as a sink and a source of energy. Due to the process of photosynthesis, plant
Energetic considerations in terrestrial systems
The large-scale approach (point 2 of Section 1) has to consider the most important parameter while discussing ecosystem functioning: energy. No energy, no life. Sun sends high amounts of energy to Earth. Ignoring clouds, the average insolation for the Earth is approximately 250 W per square meter (= 6 kWhm−2 day−1). In fact, over the course of a year the average solar radiation arriving at the top of the Earth's atmosphere is roughly 1366 W per square meter of ground. Sun rays are attenuated as they
Climatic, plant litter, or nutritional constraints?
It is not astonishing that this fundamental question was raised by eminent Naturalists. They proposed, however, discording solutions.
Humus systems as an eco-device
Why are we interested in humus forms? Why are we trying to classify them? Why are we investigating processes of biodegradation? All these questions go back to the intuitive feeling that humus is useful for human beings. It might be useful as a source of ‘free’ nutrients needed for crop growth or timber production. It might provide a structure protecting soils from erosion. It might be an interesting sink for carbon sequestration in respect to the problem of climate warming. Also, the humus
Carbon sequestration and decomposition 1
The title covers part of a complex concept and it may be a good start telling a short story. While telling the story we will focus on three main points, which are connected, namely;
(i) Sequestration of carbon in humus. (ii) Steady state for humus. (iii) Humus decomposition vs rate- regulating factors.
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Cited by (18)
A bizarre layer cake: Why soil animals recolonizing polluted areas shape atypical humus forms
2023, Science of the Total EnvironmentNon-typical degraded and regraded humus forms in metal-contaminated areas, or there and back again
2021, GeodermaCitation Excerpt :Humus in the pedological sense (humus form, humus profile) has been investigated for nearly a century and a half. One of the most prominent achievements of recent years in this domain is the European morpho-functional classification of humus systems and forms (hereafter referred to as the Classification) (Zanella et al., 2011; Zanella et al., 2018a; Zanella et al., 2018e). The undoubted advantages of the Classification, which determine its increasing popularity, are clear diagnostic criteria, theoretical validity, internal consistency, and unification of national taxonomies and terminologies.
European beech leads to more bioactive humus forms but stronger mineral soil acidification as Norway spruce and Scots pine – Results of a repeated site assessment after 63 and 82 years of forest conversion in Central Germany
2021, Forest Ecology and ManagementCitation Excerpt :This classification is based on morphological and zoogenic properties of characteristic diagnostic horizons (Ol, Of, Oh resp. Oi, Oe, Oa) and are indicative for overall turnover processes (Zanella et al., 2018a). Differences in forest floor masses and properties are documented to vary with tree species, across sites and with stand age (Binkley, 1995).
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Music while reading? Why? Anna RF (Alps): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXBWsFc-0U.