Upscaling the spatial distribution of enchytraeids and humus forms in a high mountain environment on the basis of GIS and fuzzy logic

Hellwig, Niels; Graefe, Ulfert; Tatti, Dylan; Sartori, Giacomo; Anschlag, Kerstin; Beylich, Anneke; Gobat, Jean-Michel; Broll, Gabriele (2017). Upscaling the spatial distribution of enchytraeids and humus forms in a high mountain environment on the basis of GIS and fuzzy logic European Journal of Soil Biology, 79, pp. 1-13. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2017.01.001

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The aim of this study was to map the spatial distribution of enchytraeids and humus forms in a study area in the Italian Alps by means of a knowledge-based modeling approach. The modeled area is located around Val di Sole and Val di Rabbi (Trentino, Italy) and includes the forested parts in the range between 1100 m and 1800 m a.s.l. Elevation and slope exposure are considered as environmental covariates. Models were implemented regarding the spatial distribution of three variables at the landscape scale: 1) enchytraeids indicating mull humus forms, 2) enchytraeids indicating moder/mor humus forms, 3) humus forms showing an OH horizon. All three models reveal a consistent trend of an increasing accumulation of plant residues and humus in organic layers from low to high elevations and from south-facing to north-facing slopes. Validation and uncertainty analysis of input data confirm these trends, although some deviations are to be expected (RMSE values from validation sites range from 26.3 to 36.2% points). Effects of additional potentially influencing variables may lead to uncertainties of the model predictions especially at positions with particular landforms (e.g. gullies and ridges). In the high mountains environmental conditions are often quite heterogeneous due to a highly variable topography, which also affects the species composition of the decomposer community and the occurrence of different humus forms.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Resource-efficient agricultural production systems School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL > Agriculture
Name:	Hellwig, Niels; Graefe, Ulfert; Tatti, Dylan; Sartori, Giacomo; Anschlag, Kerstin; Beylich, Anneke; Gobat, Jean-Michel and Broll, Gabriele
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) T Technology > T Technology (General)
ISSN:	11645563
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	David Zimmer
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2019 13:29
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2019 13:29
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.ejsobi.2017.01.001
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Decomposition; Soil mesofauna; Decomposer community; Knowledge-based modeling; Forest ecosystem; Italian Alps
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.8240
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/8240