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