Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HoliSoils (Holistic management practices, modelling and monitoring for European forest soils)
Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2024-04-30
HoliSoils tackles gaps in knowledge on forest soil processes and aims to harmonise available soil monitoring information to support decision making towards climate and sustainability goals. HoliSoils identifies and tests novel soil management practices aiming to mitigate climate change and sustain provision of various ecosystem services essential for human livelihoods and wellbeing. HoliSoils will offer a better understanding of soil processes to support decision making in meeting climate and sustainability goals, with easily available harmonised monitoring methods, models, tools and data, accessible via the HoliSoils toolkit.
WP 1 delivered harmonized methodologies to assess soil nutrient stock, soil organic carbon features, biomass and biodiversity of soil microorganisms and fauna that were developed within study sites and successfully tested across a wide variety of European forest soils. Sampling across selected experimental plots for the analysis of main microbial processes, including C storage, GHG and nutrient fluxes, and decomposition continued. The composition of microbial communities in forest soils across Europe and in the test sites (including metadata) were regularly monitored and collated within a working database.
WP 2 has produced an online interface to launch multi models simulations and it has been used as a basis for a training organized by UNFCCC. Independently, on the original model we added new decomposition rate modifiers representing the effect of microbial diversity based on theoretical numerical studies exploring soil microbial system behavior. The same decomposition rate modifiers were added to ORCHIDEE and to EFISCEN-Space and it impacts drastically the behavior of the ORCHIDEE model. Changing soil organic matter decomposition in the ORCHIDEE model has an impact on nitrogen release and availability to plants and therefore on primary production suggesting that soil microbial diversity might be a driver of primary production. This decomposition rate modifier based on theoretical numerical studies is tested against observations. The first results suggest that the shape of the function would probably need to be redefined. A new hydrological scheme has been proposed in ORCHIDEE able to represent the effect of changing porosity due to modifications of the soil food web.
WP 3 created a soil monitoring design for forest soils with a focus on GHG reporting. The result is published as a guideline. Workshop preparations for further dissemination of this method are currently ongoing. The creation of soil property maps (organic carbon content, organic carbon stock, inorganic carbon content, inorganic carbon stock, pH, nitrogen content, nitrogen stock, bulk density, coarse fragments) is in the final testing phase. For a map of drained peatland soils of the Baltic Sea neighboring countries, collaborations were formed and data was retrieved. The web portal for publishing and accessing all maps is in preparation.
WP 4 studied how moisture and temperature affect decomposition of the organic matter and what kind of the functional forms would be optimal to describe decomposition. This was publised in the paper "Modeling boreal forest’s mineral soil and peat C stock dynamics with Yasso07 model coupled with updated moisture modifier". In Karstula we have been able to study the impact of different nutrient to soil functioning. The paper "Phosphorus limitation promotes soil carbon storage in a boreal forest exposed to long-term nitrogen fertilization" is currently under review. Relating to ongoing soil monitoring law development and discussion we published following paper in Geoderma: "Is the organic carbon-to-clay ratio an effective indicator of soil health?".
WP 5 produced a systematic map of studies investigating the impacts of natural disturbances on forest soil and litter fauna. It carried out reviews on the impacts of precipitation increases and decreases and on the impact of natural disturbances in forests on a wide range of soil properties. Using outputs from meta-analytical models, we have used spatially explicit data on carbon and nitrogen stocks and precipitation change to estimate changes in these soil properties until 2010 under a number of different climate scenarios. New field experiments were implemented in Spain, France, Romania, and Finland to measure tree mortality, windthrow and wildfire effects. We currently have three years of data that cover the effects of natural disturbances on biotic (biodiversity and abundance of different functional groups), functional (respiration, enzymatic activity) and abiotic (microclimate) variables. Two parallel development routes have begun within the ORCHIDEE model, concerning macrofauna and soil microorganisms, with part of the KEYLINK model coded as a new ORCHIDEE module. A new mathematical approach to soil hydrology of ORCHIDEE allows some flexibility in the calculation of soil porosity.
WP 6 is further developing the mathematical models ORCHIDEE, EFISCEN-space, and ECOSSE to quantify impacts, trade-offs, and synergies of sustainable CSF management scenarios for forest soils on Europe’s GHG balance, soil quality, and water budget under future climate conditions and disturbance regimes. Promising CSF strategies for ORCHIDEE, EFISCEN-Space and ECOSSE, informed by the WP4 literature study on CSF strategies, have been implemented, compared, and harmonized. The initial conditions at the start of the simulations have been compared across models and are being benchmarked against observations products.
WP 7 updated the HoliSoils dissemination, exploitation and communication strategy (DEC) and stakeholder engagement plan. Collaboration continued with the stakeholder and end-user advisory board (SEAB) to discuss how HoliSoils products are relevant for their stakeholder groups. The project website was further developed and HoliSoils’ presence on social media channels was consolidated with a new channel on LinkedIn. Communication materials were developed. HoliSoils participated regularly in Mission Soil cluster meetings, collaborated with Horizon projects with complementary aims and organized meetings and dissemination and training events with JRC, FAO, UNPCCC, EGU, EEA, etc. The consortium has identified networks and events as channels for dissemination, with many partners presenting HoliSoils at meetings and writing peer-reviewed publications. A major paper exploring the effects of management on soil C sequestration and greenhouse gas fluxes in boreal and temperate forests was distilled into a policy brief and translated into 12 languages, presented at various international conferences and meetings, and formed the basis for discussion with policy and decision makers at various events.
WP 2 has produced an online interface to launch multi models simulations and it has been used as a basis for a training organized by UNFCCC. Independently, on the original model we added new decomposition rate modifiers representing the effect of microbial diversity based on theoretical numerical studies exploring soil microbial system behavior. The same decomposition rate modifiers were added to ORCHIDEE and to EFISCEN-Space and it impacts drastically the behavior of the ORCHIDEE model. Changing soil organic matter decomposition in the ORCHIDEE model has an impact on nitrogen release and availability to plants and therefore on primary production suggesting that soil microbial diversity might be a driver of primary production. This decomposition rate modifier based on theoretical numerical studies is tested against observations. The first results suggest that the shape of the function would probably need to be redefined. A new hydrological scheme has been proposed in ORCHIDEE able to represent the effect of changing porosity due to modifications of the soil food web.
WP 3 created a soil monitoring design for forest soils with a focus on GHG reporting. The result is published as a guideline. Workshop preparations for further dissemination of this method are currently ongoing. The creation of soil property maps (organic carbon content, organic carbon stock, inorganic carbon content, inorganic carbon stock, pH, nitrogen content, nitrogen stock, bulk density, coarse fragments) is in the final testing phase. For a map of drained peatland soils of the Baltic Sea neighboring countries, collaborations were formed and data was retrieved. The web portal for publishing and accessing all maps is in preparation.
WP 4 studied how moisture and temperature affect decomposition of the organic matter and what kind of the functional forms would be optimal to describe decomposition. This was publised in the paper "Modeling boreal forest’s mineral soil and peat C stock dynamics with Yasso07 model coupled with updated moisture modifier". In Karstula we have been able to study the impact of different nutrient to soil functioning. The paper "Phosphorus limitation promotes soil carbon storage in a boreal forest exposed to long-term nitrogen fertilization" is currently under review. Relating to ongoing soil monitoring law development and discussion we published following paper in Geoderma: "Is the organic carbon-to-clay ratio an effective indicator of soil health?".
WP 5 produced a systematic map of studies investigating the impacts of natural disturbances on forest soil and litter fauna. It carried out reviews on the impacts of precipitation increases and decreases and on the impact of natural disturbances in forests on a wide range of soil properties. Using outputs from meta-analytical models, we have used spatially explicit data on carbon and nitrogen stocks and precipitation change to estimate changes in these soil properties until 2010 under a number of different climate scenarios. New field experiments were implemented in Spain, France, Romania, and Finland to measure tree mortality, windthrow and wildfire effects. We currently have three years of data that cover the effects of natural disturbances on biotic (biodiversity and abundance of different functional groups), functional (respiration, enzymatic activity) and abiotic (microclimate) variables. Two parallel development routes have begun within the ORCHIDEE model, concerning macrofauna and soil microorganisms, with part of the KEYLINK model coded as a new ORCHIDEE module. A new mathematical approach to soil hydrology of ORCHIDEE allows some flexibility in the calculation of soil porosity.
WP 6 is further developing the mathematical models ORCHIDEE, EFISCEN-space, and ECOSSE to quantify impacts, trade-offs, and synergies of sustainable CSF management scenarios for forest soils on Europe’s GHG balance, soil quality, and water budget under future climate conditions and disturbance regimes. Promising CSF strategies for ORCHIDEE, EFISCEN-Space and ECOSSE, informed by the WP4 literature study on CSF strategies, have been implemented, compared, and harmonized. The initial conditions at the start of the simulations have been compared across models and are being benchmarked against observations products.
WP 7 updated the HoliSoils dissemination, exploitation and communication strategy (DEC) and stakeholder engagement plan. Collaboration continued with the stakeholder and end-user advisory board (SEAB) to discuss how HoliSoils products are relevant for their stakeholder groups. The project website was further developed and HoliSoils’ presence on social media channels was consolidated with a new channel on LinkedIn. Communication materials were developed. HoliSoils participated regularly in Mission Soil cluster meetings, collaborated with Horizon projects with complementary aims and organized meetings and dissemination and training events with JRC, FAO, UNPCCC, EGU, EEA, etc. The consortium has identified networks and events as channels for dissemination, with many partners presenting HoliSoils at meetings and writing peer-reviewed publications. A major paper exploring the effects of management on soil C sequestration and greenhouse gas fluxes in boreal and temperate forests was distilled into a policy brief and translated into 12 languages, presented at various international conferences and meetings, and formed the basis for discussion with policy and decision makers at various events.
Expected results of HoliSoils are
- Toolbox of analytical techniques
- Harmonised soil modelling
- Network of test sites on climate-smart forest management practices for soils
- Climate-smart soil and forest management strategies
- Soil resilience and recovery capacity
- Forward looking assessment of climate-smart forest management strategies
- Training and capacity building
- Multi-actor approach
The toolkit will improve and adapt existing tools and methodologies, creating new ones where appropriate. Training and capacity building for key stakeholders will enable a better understanding of how modelling and data can be used to support better policies and management practices for forest soils.
- Toolbox of analytical techniques
- Harmonised soil modelling
- Network of test sites on climate-smart forest management practices for soils
- Climate-smart soil and forest management strategies
- Soil resilience and recovery capacity
- Forward looking assessment of climate-smart forest management strategies
- Training and capacity building
- Multi-actor approach
The toolkit will improve and adapt existing tools and methodologies, creating new ones where appropriate. Training and capacity building for key stakeholders will enable a better understanding of how modelling and data can be used to support better policies and management practices for forest soils.