Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2851
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2851
26 Sep 2024
 | 26 Sep 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

Benchmarking soil multifunctionality

E. R. Jasper Wubs

Abstract. Healthy soils provide multiple functions that importantly contribute to human wellbeing, including primary production, climate and water regulation, and supporting biodiversity. These functions can partially be combined and some functions also clearly trade-off: this motivates soil multifunctionality research. Society needs scientists to help assess which soils are best for which soil functions and to determine appropriate long-term management of any given soil for optimal function delivery. However, for both tasks science lacks coherent tools and in this paper I propose a way forward.

Critically, we lack a common measurement framework that pins soil functioning measurements on a common scale. Currently the field is divided with respect to the methods we use to measure and assess soil functioning and indicators thereof. Only three indicator variables (SOM, acidity, and available P) were commonly measured (>70 % of schemes) across 65 schemes that aim to measure soil health or quality, and no biological measure is implemented in more than 30 % of the 65 schemes. This status quo prevents us from systematically comparing across and within soils; we lack a soil multifunctionality benchmark.

We can address this limitations systematically by setting a common measurement system. To do this, I propose to use latent variable modelling based on a common set of functional measurements, to develop a common ‘IQ test for soils’. I treat soil functions as latent variables, because they are complex processes that cannot be measured directly, we can only detect drivers and consequences of these complex processes. Latent variable modelling has a long history in social, economic and psychometric fields, where it is known as factor analysis. Factor analysis aims to derive common descriptors – the factors – of hypothesized constructs by linking measurable response variables together on a common scale.

Here, I explain why such a new approach to soil multifunctionality and soil health is needed and how it can be operationalized. The framework developed here is only an initial proposal, the issue of soil multifunctionality is too complex and too important to be addressed in one go. It needs to be resolved iteratively by bands of scientist working intensively together. We need to bring our best science together, in a collaborative effort, to develop progressively more refined ways of sustainably managing one of humanity’s most precious resources: our soils.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
E. R. Jasper Wubs

Status: open (until 11 Nov 2024)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
E. R. Jasper Wubs

Viewed

Total article views: 174 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
152 20 2 174 5 1 1
  • HTML: 152
  • PDF: 20
  • XML: 2
  • Total: 174
  • Supplement: 5
  • BibTeX: 1
  • EndNote: 1
Views and downloads (calculated since 26 Sep 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 26 Sep 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 102 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 102 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 05 Oct 2024
Download
Short summary
Soil health is of critical importance and many soils are threatened. Benchmarking sustainable soil management is a challenge as there is no comprehensive indicator set. Here, I introduce a novel conceptual approach to soil health, representing soil functions as complex and hard to measure variables. I outline a new methodology to study soil multifunctionality using latent variable models to represent soil functions. This is a new starting point for soil health research and ultimately monitoring.