The Biology of Soils in Urban Areas

Harris, J. Arthur

doi:10.1002/9781444310603.ch8

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Turfgrass is the most common landscape choice post‐development, occupying an estimated 1.9% of the continental United States surface area (Beard, 1973; Milesi et al., 2005). The establishment of turfgrass can be difficult on anthropogenically disturbed soils due to low soil organic C (OC) and nutrient content and soil compaction impeding root development (Beniston & Lal, 2012; Harris, 1991). Perennial plant cover (e.g., turfgrass), organic amendments, fertilization, and irrigation are restoration practices that can alleviate low soil OC and nutrient content (e.g., N and P) and reduce soil compaction (Lal, 2004; Milesi et al., 2005; Post & Kwon, 2000; Post et al., 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosolids amendments improve an anthropogenically disturbed urban turfgrass system

2020

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Rehabilitating anthropogenically disturbed soils is vital to restore soil functionality and improve plant growth. Biosolids can be used to improve such soils and increase soil organic C (OC) stocks, but repeated applications of such organic byproducts may result in excess soil P. Here, we present further data that complete the observations for a 5-yr study (September 2013-October 2018) conducted on an anthropogenic soil tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) system. This study compared the effects of irrigation strategies (with or without irrigation during summer heat stress) and soil amendments (annual applications of biosolids products and a conventional synthetic fertilizer) for improving soil properties and tall fescue health. Biosolids amendments applied at the agronomic N rate (ANR) reduced soil bulk density at the 0-to 5-cm depth by 33-53% and at the 5-to 10-cm depth by 4-9% relative to synthetic fertilizer. Soil OC in the top 10 cm increased from 1.74 to 13.6 g OC kg −1 (i.e., +682%) over the 5-yr period for the conventionally fertilized tall fescue, and larger gains were observed in the biosolids treatments. Repeated applications of biosolids amendments at the ANR increased total P concentrations; however, biosolids containing high Fe concentrations did not increase water-soluble P compared with biosolids applied at the agronomic P rate (APR) and synthetic fertilizer after 5 yr. Biosolids amendments applied at the ANR improved tall fescue visual quality (maintained acceptable quality 86-92% of the time), clipping biomass, and leaf tissue N accumulation (P < .05). 1666wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/csc2

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosolids amendments improve an anthropogenically disturbed urban turfgrass system

2020

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“…Urban soils are expected to undergo nutrient enrichment through a combination of structural changes and pollution sources associated with urbanization (Harris 1991;Wiseman & Wells 2005;Kaye et al 2006;Irwin et al 2020), including limited water infiltration resulting from soil sealing and compaction, increased water runoff from impervious surfaces, nutrient leaching influenced by management practices (e.g., irrigation with treated water), and nutrient introduction through fertilization. Moreover, urban soils are susceptible to atmospheric deposition of pollutants, such as heavy metals and organic compounds, which can both enrich and/or contaminate them (Harris 1991;Kaye et al 2006;Pickett & Cadenasso 2008;Chen et al 2010;Menberg et al 2013;Salomon et al 2020). Contrary to these general expectations our results reveal that DUS contained lower nutrient concentrations than RS and OUS, except for P concentrations.…”

Section: Differences In Soil Chemistry and Plant Traits [Question (I)]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Making partners in the city: impact of urban soil P enrichment on the partnership between an invasive herb and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a tropical city

Méndez,

Ramos‐Zapata,

Estrada‐Medina

et al. 2023

Plant Biol J

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The mutualistic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is essential for optimal plant nutrition, enabling plants to better withstand biotic and abiotic stressors and enhancing survival, reproduction, and colonization of new environments. Activities, such as soil enrichment or compaction, may decrease the benefits of AM fungi for plants, potentially reducing interactions in urban environments. Here, we examine this prediction by studying how urbanization alters AM interactions with the invasive herb Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae). We collected soil and plants from deep urban sites (DUS; e.g., sidewalks), open urban sites (OUS; parks), and rural sites (RS) to analyse soil nutrient content, plant morphology, AM colonization rates, spore density, richness, and diversity. Contrary to predicted, DUS had the lowest soil nutrient concentration, except for phosphorus, reducing AM colonization. This supports the prediction of reduced AM interactions in urban environments. We also found that potassium affects the AM association. Urban plants had smaller and more compact root systems compared to their rural counterparts, but there were no discernible differences in AM fungi communities between urban and rural environments. Phosphorus enrichment in sidewalks is the main driver of reductionof R. nudiflora‐AM fungi interactions in Mérida. More studies are needed to gain a better understanding of how AM fungi contribute to plant colonization in urban environments.

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“…They gave 2 possible hypothesis for this positive relationship: (i) the application of different quantities of organic matter polluted with metals caused, over time, an increase in these elements in the soil, with the highest levels in soils treated with the largest amounts of organic matter, (ii) the metal content of the most polluted soils has interfered with C mineralisation, leading gradually to accumulation of organic C in these soils. Earlier studies have shown that the deposition of Pb from vehicle exhaust and fumes and abraded metals from vehicle components has resulted in metal contamination of roadside soils and vegetation (Lagerwerff and Specht, 1970;Smith, 1976;Harris, 1991). Post and Beeby (1996) studied rates of degradation of cellulose-strips and decomposition of litter bags in roadside soils of low and high metal concentrations.…”

Section: Organic Matter Decompositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Metals Contamination on Soil Microbial Diversity, Enzymatic Activity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Nitrogen Mineralisation (A Review)

Khan¹

2000

Pakistan J. of Biological Sciences

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Soil is home to remarkable diversity of life from microbes to moles and a well-established ecosystem among these different organisms exists. Microorganisms either independently or in association with other organisms are playing very important role in the plant nutrients recycling. Soil metal concentrations above certain limits disrupt this ecosystem and as a result plant nutrient cycling process. Metal contamination in soils cause proportions of some groups of microorganisms to increase than the others. Compared with bacteria certain groups of fungi are less affected by soil metal pollution. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) measurements in metal contaminated soils show that within bacterial population, metals are more toxic to gram-positive than gram-negative bacteria. Significant reductions in enzymatic activities occur in soils contaminated with metals and generally metals are more toxic to intra-cellular enzyme activities (e.g. dehydrogenase) than extra-cellular activities (e.g. phosphatase). Similarly, enzymes produced by bacteria are more affected by metal contamination than those produced by fungi. Organic matter decomposition and nitrogen mineralisation, which are carried out by various groups of microorganisms can also be affected by increased metal concentrations in the soils.

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The Biology of Soils in Urban Areas

Cited by 13 publications

References 5 publications

Biosolids amendments improve an anthropogenically disturbed urban turfgrass system

Biosolids amendments improve an anthropogenically disturbed urban turfgrass system

Making partners in the city: impact of urban soil P enrichment on the partnership between an invasive herb and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a tropical city

Effect of Metals Contamination on Soil Microbial Diversity, Enzymatic Activity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Nitrogen Mineralisation (A Review)

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