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Exploring the multiplicity of soil–human interactions: organic carbon content, agro-forest landscapes and the Italian local communities

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Abstract

Topsoil organic carbon (TOC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) are fundamental in the carbon cycle influencing soil functions and attributes. Many factors have effects on soil carbon content such as climate, parent material, land topography and the human action including agriculture, which sometimes caused a severe loss in soil carbon content. This has resulted in a significant differentiation in TOC or SOC at the continental scale due to the different territorial and socioeconomic conditions. The present study proposes an exploratory data analysis assessing the relationship between the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and selected socioeconomic attributes at the local scale in Italy with the aim to provide differentiated responses for a more sustainable use of land. A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis contributed to understand the effectiveness of local communities responses for an adequate comprehension of the role of soil as carbon sink.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank T. Ceccarelli, L. Perini and M. Zitti for continuous technical support during the investigation. L. Salvati was supported by AGROSCENARI research project, financed by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies. The present study has been carried out in the framework of the joint research agreement within CRA-CMA and University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centre for the Study of Plant–Soil Interactions (CRA-RPS), Via della Navicella 2-4, 00184, Rome, Italy

    Luca Salvati

  2. Archaeology and Classics Program, The American University of Rome, Via Pietro Roselli 4, 00153, Rome, Italy

    Pier Matteo Barone

  3. Department of Agriculture, Forests, Nature and Energy (DAFNE), Viale dell’Agricoltura, 02015, Cittaducale, Rieti, Italy

    Carlotta Ferrara

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  1. Luca Salvati
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  2. Pier Matteo Barone
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  3. Carlotta Ferrara
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Correspondence to Carlotta Ferrara.

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Salvati, L., Barone, P.M. & Ferrara, C. Exploring the multiplicity of soil–human interactions: organic carbon content, agro-forest landscapes and the Italian local communities. Environ Monit Assess 187, 283 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4534-2

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