Soil Quality Dynamics in Land Use Systems

Soil quality emerges from the interplay of physical structure, chemical fertility and biological activity, all of which respond dynamically to how land is managed and occupied. Conversion of natural vegetation to cropland, pasture or plantation can deplete organic carbon and essential nutrients, alter pH and reduce aggregate stability, thereby impairing water retention and increasing erosion risk. Conversely, restorative practices—such as afforestation, agroforestry and the establishment of grazing exclosures—can rebuild soil organic matter, enhance nutrient cycling and strengthen structural resilience. Depth-wise assessment of topsoil and subsoil has revealed that changes in carbon and nitrogen pools extend well below the surface, emphasising the need for whole-profile management. Globally, these dynamics are central to food security, climate-change mitigation and ecosystem services, driving the development of sustainable land-use frameworks that balance productivity with long-term soil health.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified how land-use conversion affects carbon and nitrogen stocks across soil profiles in semi-arid landscapes, revealing significant losses of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen to depths of 90 cm under cropland and grazing. Forest soils were found to sequester markedly more carbon and nitrogen than adjacent agricultural systems, while the establishment of exclosures on degraded land increased soil organic carbon stocks by up to 37 per cent within a decade. Foundational work in highland environments has further demonstrated that shifting from natural forest to cropland reduces soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus availability and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi abundance, whereas afforestation and exclosure strategies can restore aggregate stability and key fertility indicators. These insights underline the importance of both topsoil and subsoil management in mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions and sustaining soil health.

Soil Quality Dynamics in Land Use Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in soil quality dynamics in land use systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Soil organic carbon (SOC): The carbon component of soil organic matter that serves as a key indicator of fertility and carbon sequestration potential.

Total nitrogen (TN): The sum of all forms of nitrogen in soil, essential for plant growth and microbial processes.

Soil aggregate stability: The capacity of soil particles to bind into stable aggregates, influencing porosity, water infiltration and resistance to erosion.

Exclosure: A land restoration practice that excludes grazing animals to allow natural vegetation regrowth and promote soil recovery.

References

1. Montane evergreen forest deforestation for banana plantations decreased soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stores to alarming levels. Carbon Balance and Management (2024).
2. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen stocks and CO2 emissions in top- and subsoils with contrasting management regimes in semi-arid environments. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications. Agronomy (2023).
4. Changes in land use alter soil quality and aggregate stability in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Scientific Reports (2017).