soil degradation
61,000 Linear Water Erosion Foci Reveal Critical Areas of Soil Degradation in Mato Grosso, Brazil

61,000 Linear Water Erosion Foci Reveal Critical Areas of Soil Degradation in Mato Grosso, Brazil

A study published in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms mapped 61,005 linear water erosion foci in Mato Grosso, Brazil, and identified 15 critical areas. The results show how relief, soils, and mismatches between land use and agricultural land capability help explain the concentration of ravines and gullies, while providing insights for land-use planning and soil conservation.

Soil profiles: a window into soil genesis, degradation, and landscape memory

Soil profiles: a window into soil genesis, degradation, and landscape memory

A newly published article in the European Journal of Soil Science, with the participation of Grace B. Alves, argues that the soil profile remains an indispensable tool for understanding soil genesis, functioning, and degradation. The paper shows that describing horizons, layers, and morphological features allows researchers to interpret processes that cannot be captured by surface-only sampling. This makes soil profile description essential for sustainable land management, environmental conservation, and the reconstruction of landscape history. The article also warns about the weakening of training in pedology and advocates for the integration of field observation, sensors, artificial intelligence, and digital soil mapping.