Soil Dynamics and Land Use Interactions in Volcanic Ash Regions

Soils derived from volcanic ash are widely distributed across tropical and temperate belts, from the Andes and Japanese archipelago to Indonesian highlands. Their distinctive mineralogy, dominated by allophane and imogolite, confers high porosity, rapid water infiltration and exceptional phosphate retention. These properties govern nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover and the resilience of soil structure under varying land uses. Conversion of native forest to intensive agriculture or pasture can accelerate organic matter losses, reduce aggregate stability and predispose slopes to erosion. Conversely, adoption of conservation practices—such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and organic amendments—can enhance soil carbon stocks, stabilise aggregates and sustain infiltration capacity. Interactions between volcanic ash inputs, climate and human management create dynamic feedbacks: episodic tephra deposition resets soil development, while anthropogenic disturbance influences nutrient status and biological activity. Understanding these interplays is essential for crop productivity, water regulation and the mitigation of landslide risks in mountainous landscapes. Recent advances in non-invasive sensing, long-term field trials and process-based modelling have illuminated how land use choices modulate the fundamental physical, chemical and biological processes that underpin soil function in ash-rich terrains.

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Soil Dynamics and Land Use Interactions in Volcanic Ash Regions publication trend

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Technical terms

Andisol: A soil order formed in volcanic ash, characterised by high porosity, strong phosphate retention and unique clay minerals.

Soil organic matter (SOM): Decomposed plant and microbial residues that influence nutrient supply, water retention and aggregate formation.

Aggregate stability: The capacity of soil aggregates to resist disintegration under water or mechanical stress, critical for erosion control.

Infiltration rate: The speed at which water enters the soil surface, affecting runoff, groundwater recharge and plant water availability.

Land use change: The alteration of soil properties and processes resulting from conversion between forest, agriculture or pasture systems.

References

1. SOM and Biomass C Stocks in Degraded and Undisturbed Andean and Coastal Nothofagus Forests of Southwestern South America. Forests (2016).
2. Pengaruh Pengolahan Tanah Menggunakan Traktor dan Pupuk Organik terhadap Infiltrasi Tanah Andisol serta Produktivitas Kentang. Jurnal Keteknikan Pertanian Tropis dan Biosistem (2022).