Abstract
Pedodiversity is considered the cornerstone of biodiversity. This work aimed to (1) assess pedodiversity according to vegetation, topographic factors, and lithology and to (2) identify the major soil-forming factors on soil organic matter (SOM) stock at a 0–30 cm depth. These goals were reached using data from 147 georeferenced soil profiles distributed along 400–1000 m (≤1000) and 1000–2134 m (>1000) altitudinal gradients in the northern part of the Apennine chain in Italy. Soils showed mainly weak or incipient development (i.e., Entisols and Inceptisols), which could be attributed to sand-based lithology, high slope gradients, and low SOM accumulation rates, which promote soil erosion processes. However, higher pedodiversity was observed at >1000 m than at ≤1000 m, likely due to the higher vegetation cover diversity and climate variability; Spodosols and Mollisols were also found. A greater SOM stock was found at >1000 than ≤1000 m, and vegetation seemed to not affect SOM amounts, suggesting a greater influence of climate on SOM content compared to vegetation. Considering ecosystem conservation, the observed spatial pedodiversity could be considered a critical basis for the protection of soil resources and pedodiversity itself in mountain regions.
Funder
“Apennine Project, grant number RFOVittori”, “CASTANI-CO, Emilia Romagna Regional rural development program
Boschiamo Emilia Romagna Regional rural development program
Biodiversamente Castagno, Emilia Romagna Regional rural development program
Castagni parlanti, Emilia Romagna Regional rural development program
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Global and Planetary Change
Reference132 articles.
1. Animal diversity and ecosystem functioning in dynamic food webs;Schneider;Nat. Commun.,2016
2. Climatic and biogeographical drivers of functional diversity in the flora of the Canary Islands;Hanz;Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr.,2022
3. Linking soil biodiversity and ecosystem function in a Neotropical savanna;Inkotte;Appl. Soil Ecol.,2022
4. Litter quality, mycorrhizal association, and soil properties regulate effects of tree species on the soil fauna community;Peng;Geoderma,2022
5. Costantini, E.A.C., and Dazzi, C. (2013). The Soils of Italy, Springer.