The effects of compost application on soil properties: Agricultural and environmental benefits

One of our latest publications

Iraji, F.; Jiménez-Ballesta, R.; Mongil-Manso, J.; Pellejero, G.; Miguélez, D.; Najafi, P.; Trujillo-González, J.M.; 2025. The effects of compost application on soil properties: Agricultural and environmental benefits. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Abstract

Purpose: Human activities generate substantial waste, often relegated to landfills or incineration. Composting offers a valuable alternative, transforming waste into organic fertilizers that can improve soil health. This review examines the multifaceted influences of compost application on soil properties, the associated agricultural and environmental benefits.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing numerous research articles focused on compost application in agricultural soils. The review prioritized studies investigating the direct and indirect effects of varying compost application rates on a range of soil properties. The search encompassed databases and scientific journals related to soil science, environmental science, and agriculture. 

Results: The reviewed literature consistently demonstrated that compost incorporation positively influences several key soil properties. Compost application generally led to a reduction in bulk density, indicating improved soil structure. Furthermore, it enhanced water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity, promoting better water management. Compost also increased soil water content and the availability of plant-available water, benefiting plant growth. The review highlighted that compost application generally has positive effects on agricultural and environmental soils.

Conclusion: Composting offers a sustainable waste management strategy with significant potential for soil improvement. The reviewed evidence supports the widespread use of compost as a soil amendment to enhance soil physical properties, water relations, and potentially other soil chemical and biological properties. These improvements contribute to enhanced soil health, sustainable agriculture, and

environmental protection, particularly in the context of degraded soil remediation. Further research is encouraged to optimize compost application rates for different soil types and cropping systems.

Identification of Restoration Pathways for the Climate Adaptation of Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) in Türkiye

 One of our latest publications

Gülçin, D.; Velázquez, J.; Rincón, V.; Mongil-Manso, J.; Tonyaloglu, E.E., Özcan, A.U.; Ar, B.; Çiçek, K.; 2025. Identification of restoration pathways for the climate adaptation of Elm forests in Türkiye. Land, 14(7): 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071391.

Abstract

Ulmus glabra Huds. is a mesophilic, montane broadleaf tree with high ecological value, commonly found in temperate riparian and floodplain forests across Türkiye. Its populations in Türkiye have declined due to anthropogenic disturbances and climatic pressures that cause habitat fragmentation and threaten the species’ long-term survival. In this research, we used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) to build species distribution models (SDMs) and applied the Restoration Planner (RP) tool to identify and prioritize critical restoration sites under both current and projected climate scenarios (SSP245, SSP370, SSP585). The SDMs highlighted areas of high suitability, primarily along the Black Sea coast. Future projections show that habitat fragmentation and shifts in suitable areas are expected to worsen. To systematically compare restoration options across different future scenarios, we derived and applied four spatial network status indicators using the RP tool. Specifically, we calculated Restoration Pixels (REST_PIX), Average Distance of Restoration Pixels from the Network (AVDIST_RP), Change in Equivalent Connected Area (ΔECA), and Restoration Efficiency (EFFIC) using the RP tool. For the 1 <-> 2 restoration pathways, the highest efficiency (EFFIC = 38.17) was recorded under present climate conditions. However, the largest improvement in connectivity (ΔECA = 60,775.62) was found in the 4 <-> 5 pathway under the SSP585 scenario, though this required substantial restoration effort (REST_PIX = 385). Temporal analysis noted that the restoration action will have most effectiveness between 2040 and 2080, while between 2081 and 2100, increased habitat fragmentation can severely undermine ecological connectivity. The result indicates that incorporation of habitat suitability modeling into restoration planning can help to design cost-effective restoration actions for degraded land. Moreover, the approach used herein provides a reproducible framework for the enhancement of species sustainability and habitat connectivity under varying climate conditions.

Link to publication

Special issue: Restoring Forests, Restoring Soils: Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Land Management

We announce a new special issue of Land journal, under the title: Restoring Forests, Restoring Soils: Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Land Management.

Forests and healthy soils are fundamentally intertwined, forming the backbone of global environmental stability and the endurance of terrestrial systems. Forests serve as crucial carbon sinks, support immense biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and shield against erosion. Simultaneously, robust soils underpin these vital functions by supplying essential nutrients, retaining water, and fostering vibrant microbial activity. However, pervasive land degradation over recent decades—fueled by deforestation, unsustainable farming, a changing climate, and other human-caused pressures—has severely jeopardized both the health of forests and the vitality of soils across vast global expanses. This deterioration often culminates in desertification, diminished agricultural output, a decline in biodiversity, and heightened susceptibility to extreme weather events.

Recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive solutions, this Special Issue, titled "Restoring Forests, Restoring Soils: Integrated Approaches for Sustainable Land Management," compiles pioneering research that explores the mutual benefits of integrated land management strategies. Our goal is to spotlight novel methods that simultaneously tackle forest restoration and soil revitalization, building resilience in damaged landscapes. The papers within this collection delve into various facets of this complex interaction, ranging from how reforestation and afforestation affect soil organic carbon dynamics and nutrient cycling to the role of sustainable forest practices in improving soil structure and microbial communities. By presenting a variety of viewpoints and research methods, this Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of how integrated approaches can lead to more effective and sustainable land management outcomes—a necessity for the well-being of both ecosystems and human societies.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

-Quantifying Carbon Sequestration Synergies: In-depth analysis of how specific forest restoration techniques (e.g., using native species or planting mixed species) interact with soil type and climate to maximize long-term carbon storage in both plant matter and soil.

-Microbial Community Dynamics: Investigating changes in soil microbial communities during different phases of forest restoration and their impact on nutrient cycles, organic matter breakdown, and overall soil vitality.

-Hydrological Regulation and Erosion Control: Researching how effectively various forest and soil restoration practices improve water infiltration, reduce surface runoff, and curb soil erosion in vulnerable areas.

-Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Exploring how the ecological insights and land management practices of indigenous and local communities can inform and strengthen contemporary restoration initiatives, especially in diverse ecological contexts.

-Socio-Economic Impacts and Policy Frameworks: Evaluating the societal and economic benefits and obstacles associated with integrated forest-soil restoration, including the development of effective policy tools and incentive programs for sustainable land stewardship.

-Climate Change Resilience: Examining how restored forests and healthy soils contribute to the overall ability of landscapes to withstand the impacts of climate change, such as extended droughts, intense rainfall, and rising temperatures.

-Remote Sensing and AI for Monitoring: Developing and applying advanced remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms for large-scale, cost-effective tracking and evaluation of forest and soil restoration progress and effectiveness.

Keywords

• soil health
• land degradation
• forest restoration
• carbon sequestration
• integrated land management
• agro-silvo-pastoral systems
• biodiversity
• climate change adaptation
• ecosystem services

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/6U11M33FZW

Video divulgativo sobre gestión forestal sostenible

 

Our last publication: Morphological parameters of gullies formed on sandy soils and effects of check dams in Central Spain

 

Gully erosion constitutes a significant global problem, as gullies are a substantial source of sediment that harm rivers, affecting aquatic fauna and water quality, altering flow regimes, and degrading soil, among other impacts. Gullies have been extensively studied in clayey soils, where they occur more frequently, but less so in soils or materials with a sandy texture. Therefore, this study characterizes, utilizing field measurements and aerial ortophotography, the morphology of a set of gullies located in the Central System mountains (central Spain), formed on sandy soils derived from granite weathering, under a Mediterranean-continental climate. Furthermore, the influence of check dams on gully slope is also studied. The selected gullies for this study are permanent, linear and parallel, continuous, V-shaped, and semi-active. They are longer, narrower, and shallower than other gullies in significantly different soils with which they have been compared, although the width/depth ratio is similar. Additionally, check dams have considerably reduced the slope (11% on average, and 23% maximum reduction), which may result in a reduction of the flow velocity and erosive capacity. Consequently, it can be affirmed that the presence of numerous check dams significantly affects gully morphology.

Jornadas técnicas: Prevención de inundaciones en cuencas mediterráneas: lecciones aprendidas de la DANA de Valencia

En estos días se ha celebrado en Daroca (Zaragoza) las jornadas técnicas "Prevención de inundaciones en cuencas mediterráneas: lecciones aprendidas de la DANA de Valencia", organizada por: Ayuntamiento de Daroca. Comarca del Campo de Daroca. Gobierno de Aragón. Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Montes en Aragón.

Aquí puedes ver las grabaciones.

Las intervenciones fueron las siguientes:

 

-Inauguración de las Jornadas: D.ª Ana Cecilia Oliván Villobas. Directora General de Gestión Forestal del Gobierno de Aragón. D. Miguel García Cortés. Alcalde de Daroca. D. Francisco Javier Lafuente Jiménez. Presidente de la Comarca del Campo de Daroca. D. Ignacio Pérez-Soba Diez del Corral. Decano del Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Montes en Aragón.

-La torrencialidad en la cuenca del Mediterráneo: historia y perspectiva. D. Juan Antonio Ballesteros Cánovas. Doctor Ingeniero de Montes. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN).

-Un análisis global para la prevención de inundaciones: la ordenación agrohidrológica de cuencas. José Luis García Rodríguez y José Carlos Robredo Sánchez. Doctores Ingenieros de Montes. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

-Acciones de prevención de inundaciones en zonas forestales: la restauración hidrológico-forestal. D. Ignacio Pérez-Soba Diez del Corral. Doctor Ingeniero de Montes. Decano del Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Montes en Aragón.

-Acciones de prevención de inundaciones en los tramos medios y bajos de los cauces. D. Juan Pedro Martín Vide. Doctor Ingeniero de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña.

-Análisis de las crecidas de los barrancos de la Cuenca de la Albufera (Valencia) en la DANA de octubre de 2024. D. Alberto García Prats. Doctor Ingeniero Agrónomo. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.

-Análisis hidrológico-forestal de las inundaciones en Letur (Albacete) de octubre de 2024. D. Manuel Esteban Lucas Borja. Dr. Ingeniero de Montes. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha.

-Emisión del documental “La restauración de la cuenca del río Jiloca”, de la serie “El bosque protector” de TVE, dirigida por D. Luis García Esteban, Doctor Ingeniero de Montes, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

-Evaluación a medio plazo de una restauración hidrológico-forestal: la cuenca del Corneja (Ávila). D. Jorge Mongil Manso. Doctor Ingeniero de Montes. Universidad Católica de Ávila.

-Evaluación a largo plazo de una restauración hidrológico-forestal: las cuencas de Saldaña (Palencia). D. Joaquín Navarro Hevia. Doctor Ingeniero de Montes.

-El Plan Nacional de Acciones Prioritarias en materia de Restauración hidrológico-forestal, control de la erosión y lucha contra la desertificación (PNAP). D. Guillermo Fernández Centeno. Ingeniero de Montes. Consejero técnico de la Subdirección General de Política Forestal y Lucha contra la Desertificación del MITECORD.

-Inauguración de los jardines del Ingeniero de Montes D. Nicolás Ricardo García Cañada, y clausura de la Jornada.

Os dejamos un resumen fotográfico de las jornadas.

En homenaje al ingeniero de montes Nicolás Ricardo García Cañada

Dentro de las Jornadas técnicas  "PREVENCIÓN DE INUNDACIONES EN CUENCAS MEDITERRÁNEAS: LECCIONES APRENDIDAS DE LA DANA DE VALENCIA", que se celebrarán en Daroca (Zaragoza) los días 5 y 6 de junio.

Junio: Mes de los montes de Castilla y León

 

INSCRIPCIONES:

Ávila: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6bAHGs5q5J_75sYYE9sSbf-R0bU8jjAJECWk76EQWI1qcZQ/viewform?pli=1

León: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFTJ4rOU0Zm1pvpNQcKsRqsZWCzsv-5i4zo1O7Da3TsJueOA/viewform

Palencia: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdd4fxL2DXe4i77LVjoL2iOUBOohVpq3Dm0W1yd_H3XRw0boA/viewform

Jornadas técnicas sobre prevención de inundaciones en Daroca (Zaragoza)

Los próximos días 5 y 6 de junio, el Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Turismo del Gobierno de Aragón, el Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros de Montes en Aragón, el Ayuntamiento de Daroca y la Comarca del Campo de Daroca organizarán, en Daroca (Zaragoza), las Jornadas técnicas tituladas "PREVENCIÓN DE INUNDACIONES EN CUENCAS MEDITERRÁNEAS: LECCIONES APRENDIDAS DE LA DANA DE VALENCIA".

En ellas, expertos de distintos lugares de España se reúnen para extraer lecciones de la catástrofe sufrida en el Levante peninsular en octubre pasado, y reflexionar sobre las técnicas más eficaces y eficientes para evitar que se repita algo así.

Concluirán con la inauguración (por parte del Consejero de Medio Ambiente y Turismo del Gobierno de Aragón) de los "Jardines del Ingeniero de Montes Nicolás-Ricardo García Cañada", en recuerdo de ese gran Ingeniero de Montes (nacido en 1866 y fallecido en 1947), que proyectó y dirigió, a partir de 1907, grandes trabajos de repoblación forestal y corrección de torrentes en la provincia de Zaragoza, que han demostrado durante más de un siglo su gran eficacia para evitar inundaciones.

Más información e inscripciones en este documento.

Comunicado sobre ríos y riberas SECF

Difundimos el comunicado elaborado por el grupo de hidrología forestal de la Sociedad Española de Ciencias Forestales, sobre el papel de los bosques de ribera y los ríos.

Está disponible en el siguiente enlace:

https://secforestales.org/sites/default/files/archivos/comunicado_gh_secf_riosyriberas.pdf

Charla: El clima en Canarias

 Charla que organizamos desde nuestro grupo de investigación:

Ingeniería y prevención del riesgo de inundaciones y sus efectos

Os dejo el video de la jornada titulada "Ingeniería y prevención del riesgo de inundaciones y sus efectos", organizada por el Instituto de la Ingeniería de España. Una jornada muy interesante, para el debate y la reflexión.

El suelo, ese desconocido (vídeo divulgativo)

Video divulgativo de Arboreo Microdocus, presentado por Miguel Ortega, quién entrevista al profesor David Badía, caracterizando un perfil de suelos a los pies de Gratal.

Charla: La restauración hidrológico-forestal en las laderas de Saldaña (II)

Algunas imágenes de la intervención de nuestro compañero Joaquín Navarro en Saldaña.

Charla: La restauración hidrológico-forestal de Saldaña

Si estás por la zona, no te lo puedes perder.

Inundaciones en Ávila: algunas lecciones aprendidas (o por aprender)

Este blog se escribe desde la ciudad de Ávila, que ha sufrido algunas inundaciones en los últimos días. Han sido unas inundaciones leves, sin daños personales y no excesivos daños materiales, aunque las personas afectadas merecen nuestra solidaridad y apoyo, y la ayuda de las administraciones públicas.

La causa del desbordamiento de los ríos Adaja y Chico ha sido la abundante precipitación caída en las últimas semanas, como consecuencia del paso consecutivo de cuatro borrascas: Jana, Konrad y Laurence. Ahora, Martinho. Especialmente esta última generó precipitaciones intensas en la noche del 20 al 21 de marzo.

Sin embargo, en mi opinión, hay que aprender dos lecciones muy importantes sobre estas inundaciones, que no por simples hay que dejar de destacar:

1) Las zonas inundables se terminan inundando.

2) Las inundaciones catastróficas son un problema más de ordenación del territorio o de planificación urbanística que de hidrología.

3) Como ya explicamos para la catástrofe de Valencia, cabeceras de cuencas con cubierta forestal densa previenen las inundaciones abajo.

Aquí os dejo algunas fotos que para los vecinos de esta ciudad tienen carácter histórico, ya que no se veía una riada similar desde los años 40 del siglo XX.

Spacial issue: Combating Desertification and Adapting to Droughts

 

Droughts are among the most urgent threats to sustainable development, with projections indicating that by 2050, they could affect more than three-quarters of the global population. Since 2000, the frequency and duration of droughts have increased by 29% compared to the previous two decades (WMO, 2021). Meanwhile, desertification – defined as land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry-subhumid regions – has accelerated, posing severe risks to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods worldwide.

The complex interplay between climatic variability and human activities has intensified pressure on rangelands, forests, and agricultural lands, diminishing their resilience and long-term productivity. As a result, environmental degradation is exacerbating risks to water and food security, particularly in dryland regions. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary research and innovative solutions to mitigate land degradation and enhance drought resilience.

To contribute to this global effort, we invite submissions on topics related to desertification and drought adaptation. While rooted in soil science, this Special Issue welcomes contributions from related disciplines, including agronomy, environmental science, forestry, hydrology, and physical geography.

Suggested Themes:

• Climate change and its role in exacerbating desertification

• Soil degradation and restoration in drylands

• Geo-ecological responses to drought and land degradation

• Impacts of drought on soil quality and the carbon cycle

• Sustainable land management practices to combat desertification

• Innovative agricultural strategies for drought adaptation

• Remote sensing and modelling for monitoring land degradation

• Traditional and indigenous knowledge in dryland management

• Policy frameworks and governance for drought resilience

The UN’s designation of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought highlights the urgency of this issue. We look forward to receiving high-quality submissions that advance knowledge and contribute to practical solutions for these pressing global challenges.

Keywords: soil quality, drought, desertification, sustainable development, land degradation, water security, food security, drylands, drought resilience, drought adaptation, soil science, agronomy, environmental science, forestry, hydrology, physical geography, climate change, remote sensing, policy, sustainable land management, carbon cycle, indigenous knowledge, governance, climatic variability

Issue editors: Ilan Stavi and Jorge Mongil-Manso

Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 30 September 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 31 January 2026

Link

Aplicación informática ModERFoRest disponible

La aplicación informática ModERFoRest (Modeling Environmental Requirements for Forest Restoration) se pone a disposición de los usuarios de forma gratuita desde la web de la SECF:

https://secforestales.org/content/aplicacion-informatica-moderforest-disponible

Orientada principalmente a la comunidad científica y técnica, esta herramienta sirve para un buen número de procesos de modelización y cálculo en el campo de la ecología forestal.

La aplicación consta de tres módulos que se integran en un núcleo común y tres herramientas de cálculo de datos.

Agua, el alma del paisaje

Colaboramos con el proyecto "Agua, el alma del paisaje" de la Fundación Paisaje.

Conoce el proyecto haciendo click aquí.

Properties of Waterlogged Soils Developed on Arkose and Aeolian Sands in an Agro-Silvopastoral System

Una de nuestras últimas publicaciones:

Jiménez-Ballesta, R.; San José, F.J.; Mongil-Manso, J.; Escudero-Campos, L.; Álvarez-Castellanos, M.P.; 2025. Properties of waterlogged soils developed on arkose and aeolian sands in an agro-silvopastoral system. European Journal of Soil Science, e70055. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.70055

Enlace a la publicación

Globally speaking, academic research assumes that soils affected by water stagnation have a significant constraint, especially concerning their productivity and environmental benefits. In the surrounding landscape of northern Ávila Province (northern Spanish Central System), where many small farmers and livestock breeders of the region live, there are areas that are periodically flooded. This study examines the impact of hydromorphism on soil features and formation in La Moraña, a region with arkosic and aeolic sands; it also investigates the soil's role in sustainable waterlogged agro-silvopastoral development. The main land uses are agriculture, pastures or pine forests. The soils show acidic to alkaline reaction (pH 5.6 to 9.1), with sandy to loamy textures, and contain moderate to high levels of organic matter (1.7% to 8.0%) and total nitrogen (0.01% to 0.26%) contents. A moderate to medium cation exchange capacity (CEC) (3.13 to 15 cmol kg−1) and high base saturation status (72% to 81%) were observed. In both soil groups (Cambisols and Arenosols), the predominant soil cations were Ca2+ (0.7 to 25.7 cmol kg−1) and Na+ (0.19 to 9.5 cmol kg−1), while K+ was present in minor amounts. Given the nature of the original material, although the carbonate content of the parent material lay below the detection limit, high carbonate contents greater than 25% were observed in certain horizons (Bkg of profiles 1 and 2). Weak gleization was observed in all profiles, with grey colours (light to dark) in the subsurface horizons, denoting some effects of iron reduction, resulting from a dual action of pluviometry and a practically flat topography; and occasionally flooding or water-table rise. In addition, hydromorphic conditions can also develop due to soil compaction. So, the major soil-forming processes are accumulation of organic matter and brunification in drained conditions. While litter formation in conditions of high moisture, and weak gleization against excessive moisture are the dominant processes. La Moraña's soils stay productive through agroforestry and crop rotations, preserving their potential despite their hydromorphic nature.

Soil infiltration rates in mediterranean mountain areas: relationship with soil properties and different land-use

Una de nuestras últimas publicaciones:

Mongil-Manso, J.; Jiménez-Ballesta, R.; Navarro-Hevia, J.; San Martín, R.; 2025. Soil infiltration rates in mediterranean mountain areas: relationship with soil properties and different land-use. European Journal of Forest Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-025-01757-6

Enlace a la publicación

We determined the soil properties and infiltration rates in 11 plots, including four soil types (Leptosol, Cambisol, Umbrisol and Regosol, according to the FAO criteria), under three different land uses (pine forest, oak forest and scrubland). The study was conducted in a Spanish Central System Mountain under a Mediterranean climate. We tried to quantify the effect of land use (native and reforested forest and scrubland) and soil properties on the steady-state soil infiltration rate because of the limited evidence about soil infiltration in Mediterranean mountains with sandy and acid soils developed on granite rocks. We employed a simple-ring methacrylate infiltrometer method to determine soil infiltration rates. We used correlation and principal component analysis to examine the relationships between soil properties, land uses, and water infiltration. Additionally, a one-way ANOVA model was applied to identify differences between vegetation types. Soil infiltration rates in the pine forest (891.9 mm·h-1) and the oak forest (509.0 mm·h-1) were better than those in the scrubland (178.4 mm·h-1). Our results are in agree with the main results in the scientific literature. Factors such as sand content (R = 0.71, p-value = 0.02) or electrical conductivity (salt content indicator; R = 0.81, p-value = 0.00) were positively related to soil infiltration, while clay was negatively related (R = -0.69, p-value = 0.02). Results show forest cover improves soil infiltration. This effect is strongly related to hydrological ecosystem services, which may be of interest for decision-making in natural environment management, especially for soil and water conservation.

Assessment of infiltration and erosion rates in Mediterranean reservoirs’ catchments through rainfall simulation

Uno de nuestros últimos artículos:

Mongil-Manso, J.; Patino-Alonso, C.; Nespereira-Jato, J.; Molina, J.-L.; Espejo, F.; Díez-Castro, M.-T.; Zazo, S.; Silla, F.; 2025. Assessment of infiltration and erosion rates in Mediterranean reservoirs´ catchments through rainfall simulation. International Journal of Sediment Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2025.01.003.

Enlace a la publicación

The land use and vegetation type of a reservoir's catchment substantially affect the hydrological processes of soil infiltration and runoff. They also act as drivers or constraints for erosive processes. All the previous processes influence the amount of water and sediment that reach the reservoir and affect its functioning. This study is mainly aimed to improve the knowledge of these processes in southeastern Spain by means of experimental rainfall simulation and multivariate statistical analysis. The results show that the mean infiltration rate is 1.06 times higher in forests than in shrublands and 1.07 times higher than in olive crops (280.52, 265.02, and 262.08 mm/h, respectively), with mean surface runoff consequently 1.57 times lower in forests than in shrublands and 2.41 times lower than in olive crops (20.81, 32.58, and 50.24 mm/h). Likewise, the sediment concentration in the runs is 5.48 times higher in olive groves (518.43 g/L) than in forests (94.61 g/L) and 2.94 times higher than in shrublands (176.48 g/L). Soil properties and parent material might have a more important effect on the studied variables than the different vegetation types. Furthermore, root systems and the use of tillage on crops could favor infiltration, which would tend to equalize the values of the variables analyzed; but this needs to be demonstrated in future research. The results obtained are of interest for vegetation cover and soils management in reservoirs´ catchments in Mediterranean areas. Furthermore, the current research provides an opportunity to study more specifically the origin of the sediment that reaches the reservoirs, beyond sheet and rill erosion.

Ha fallecido Jesús Anta

Jesús Anta, aunque dedicado a la historia y curiosidades de la ciudad y provincia de Valladolid, escribió varios interesantes libros sobre sistemas hidráulicos tradicionales. El más reciente de ellos publicado hace sólo unos meses. Sirva este post como reconocimiento y homenaje.

Compactación del suelo e infiltración

La compactación del suelo se produce cuando su estructura se comprime, disminuyendo su porosidad y reduciendo o dificultando la infiltración de agua (mal drenaje), el intercambio de gases y el crecimiento de las raíces. Suele estar causada por el paso de la maquinaria pesada o el sobrepastoreo, aunque también puede generarse por el impacto de las gotas de lluvia sobre determinados suelos. En cualquier caso, disminuye la productividad y la biodiversidad del suelo y, por lo tanto, afecta a la salud de éste.

Para solucionar problemas de compactación, lo primero es un buen diagnóstico, con mediciones de la densidad aparente y de la porosidad, así como con ensayos de infiltración, de los que en nuestro grupo de investigación Forest, Water & Soil tenemos bastante experiencia.

Las infografías son de FAO de 2016.

La bella desconocida: la restauración hidrológico-forestal de las cárcavas del río Carrión

Nos acaban de publicar el artículo titulado "La bella desconocida: la restauración hidrológico-forestal de las cárcavas del río Carrión (Saldaña, Palencia)", en el número 159 de la revista Montes. Esta restauración es una obra modélica de ingeniería forestal que resolvió múltiples problemas erosivos y rehabilitó un ecosistema muy degradado que sigue evolucionando muy positivamente.

El artículo estará disponible para su descarga en los próximos meses en la web de la revista Montes.

Durante siglos, los escarpes de Saldaña (Palencia), sobre el río Carrión, generaban arrastres de lodo y sedimentos, comprometiendo el abastecimiento, riego, uso de las riberas e infraestructuras. En 1930, el ingeniero de montes José María Ayerbe emprendió la restauración de estas cárcavas, convirtiendo, en noventa años, un desierto en un bosque. El pinar y más de cien diques han protegido los terrenos de la erosión y evitado la llegada del 99 % de sedimentos al río. La permeabilidad del suelo forestal es 40 veces mayor a la del terreno degradado. Desde 1930 hasta hoy, esta restauración aporta más de 7 millones de euros, con base en la madera, el control de la erosión, la calidad del agua y el paisaje regenerado.