Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-335
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-335
22 Aug 2022
 | 22 Aug 2022

Back to the future- Conservative grassland management for Anthropocene soils in the changed landscapes of Uruguay?

Ina Säumel, Leonardo R. Ramírez, Sarah Tietjen, Marcos Barra, and Erik Zagal

Abstract. The ‘soils of the anthropocene’ are predominately agricultural. To understand them, we analysed agri- and silvicultural intensification of Uruguayan grasslands in a country wide survey on fertility proxies, pH and trace metals in topsoils originating from different land uses. We observed a loss of nutrients, trace metals and organic matter from grassland, crops and timber plantations, and its accumulation in the topsoils of riverine forests. The translocation of nutrients and organic matter across the landscape to the erosion base depends on local land use trajectories. Increasing soil acidification is driving a positive feedback loop, and land use intensification is leading to degradation of local black soils within a few decades. Our data raises questions about the resilience and carrying capacity of Uruguayan soils with regard to currently implemented highly productive management forms, including the use of timber plantation for carbon sequestration, and supports more conservative forms of extensive management on the grassland biome.

Ina Säumel et al.

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-335', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ina Säumel, 07 Oct 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-335', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Oct 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ina Säumel, 24 Oct 2022

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-335', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ina Säumel, 07 Oct 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-335', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Oct 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ina Säumel, 24 Oct 2022

Ina Säumel et al.

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Short summary
We analysed intensification of Uruguayan grasslands in a country wide survey on fertility proxies, pH and trace metals in topsoils. We observed a loss of nutrients, trace metals and organic matter from grassland, crops and timber plantations, and its accumulation in riverine forests. This raises questions about the carrying capacity of Uruguayan soils with regard to currently implemented intensification strategies and supports more conservative forms of extensive management of grasslands.