Linking Global Land Use/Land Cover to Hydrologic Soil Groups From 850 to 2015. Issue 3 (18th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Pei‐Ling; Feddema, Johannes J.
• Is Part Of: Global biogeochemical cycles. Volume 34:Issue 3(2020:Mar.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-03-18
• Subjects: land use impact -- soil degradation -- global change -- anthropogenic disturbances -- land‐use history; Biogeochemical cycles -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 577.1405
• DOI: 10.1029/2019GB006356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-6236

Abstract

Abstract: The characteristics of soils in part determine human‐induced land use and land cover (LULC) change, and together, soil properties and LULC directly impact global water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles. Plant health and the exchange of energy, water, and biogeochemical components at the surface interface are partly controlled by soil properties. Different soil types modify vegetation responses to existing climate forcings, and each soil type also responds differently to the same land‐use practice. Currently, Earth system models often use single soil columns with averaged properties. This leads to uncertainties in assessing LULC impacts. To improve the estimates of land surface change in Earth System Models, we link an existing LULC data set to four hydrologic soil groups from 850 to 2015, based on demonstrated soil preferences for eight LULCs under current conditions. We conclude that humans prefer hydrologic soil groups in order from B, D, C, to A. This ranking was applied to construct the history of LULC on each soil type at the 0.5° grid resolution. Results primarily distribute croplands to hydrologic soil group B in 850, while hydrologic soil group A has the most undisturbed area. Over time, good soils (hydrologic soil groups B and D) experience increased use for cropland areas, while poor soils (hydrologic soil groups C and A) are occupied predominantly by increasing areas in grazing land and secondary nonforests. The results provide better land surface characteristics to improve Earth systems modeling. Plain Language Summary: It is well established that some soil types have better nutrient and hydrologic characteristics to support ecosystems compared to others. Humans tend to select the better soil types for intensive farming activities, and therefore, these soils are preferentially used for these activities. Similarly, less suitable soils tend to be used for more extensive human activities such as grazing and wood harvesting. Presently, many Earth System Models use very simplified representations of soils. In this study, we explore, at a global scale, what are the best soils for different human activities. We then apply those results to construct a land‐use history from an existing data set on four separate major soil types at 0.5° grid resolution from 850 to 2015. Results maintain the overall historical land‐use patterns but allocate different land uses to specific soil types. This analysis will help improve studies of the impact of human land‐cover change on climate and biogeochemical cycles. Key Points: We assign land use/land cover to soils for use in Earth System Models from 850–2015 based on human preferences for four soil groups Humans selectively use more silty or clayey soils for intensive agriculture and pasture activities, while grazing occurs on more sandy soils The history of land use and soil relations will support better simulation of surface water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles globally