Soil N₂O emissions from a wheat crop grown in a semi-arid region were studied under different management practices: in 2007 with and without the application of N-fertiliser and supplementary irrigation. In 2008 N was sourced from either a pulse or pasture legume sown the previous season or from N fertiliser applied that season. Our findings confirm that the proportion of N-fertiliser emitted as N₂O from rain-fed wheat crops grown in semi-arid regions is less than the international average of 1.0%.

N addition increased urease and phosphatase activity, but it had no effect on cellulase activity. Warming reduced cellulase activity and enhanced phosphatase activity but no impact on urease activity. Interactive effects of N addition and warming were observed on phosphatase activity, but not on cellulase and urease activity. These findings highlight that changes in abiotic (i.e. global warming and N deposition) environments play vital roles in regulating ecosystem function in a temperate meadow ecosystem.

This study investigated the availability of soil P fractions (PF) in mangrove soil compared with the Atlantic forest and restinga soils in the Cardoso Island, Brazil. PF in the soils decreased in the order: Atlantic forest > mangrove > restinga. Iron P was dominant, followed by calcium P and aluminium P. Reductant Fe-P, occluded (o) Fe-P and oAl-P were detected in minor amounts. Quantities and qualities of the PF varied among the studied ecosystems, influenced by the parent material and physico-chemical characteristics of the soil and vegetation.

The effects of strategic tillage on physical, chemical and biological soil properties, productivity, and weed control on five long-term (7–44 years) no-till managed soils were investigated. The impacts observed in physical, chemical and biological soil properties and productivity were overall non-significant. Significant weed reduction occurred in the first year in all soils, with variable results observed in the following year.

Soil quality of pasture systems in the southern Cape of South Africa is declining. Soil quality of five management systems was evaluated using the locally developed soil quality index for pastures. Soil physical, chemical and biological quality was affected by management practice, and prolonged tillage had an adverse impact on soil quality.

The combined effect of temperature and moisture on respiration rates of tropical forest soils were investigated by means of a translocation approach. By this, soil cores were reciprocally replaced among three sites along an altitudinal gradient and respiration rates measured all three weeks for one year. Best fit model predictions suggested that temperature is the more dominate factor and soils of higher elevations with higher soil carbon stocks are more vulnerable to warming than low elevation soils.

Application of straw can mitigate N₂O cumulative emissions under flooded conditions, while higher CO₂ and CH₄ production was detected. In contrast, straw application under non-flooded conditions had a relatively low global warming potential value. Consequently, winter fallow field is recommended after the integrated application of straw and nitrogen fertiliser.

Sixty green spaces were chosen in New Zealand’s largest city to determine how various factors influence levels of heavy metals in soils. Soil heavy metals were significantly influenced by the location of green spaces and the results were used to develop a ‘pollution index’ (PI). The PI was a useful tool in interpreting data and complemented traditional ways of reporting concentrations of heavy metals using soil pools which has been limited to date.

Paddy soils are major source of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key factor of CH₄ and CO₂ emissions as regulated by Fe reduction processes in paddy soils.

Transects were sampled for soil morphology and chemistry in contrasting soil types (Vertosol and Kandosol) perpendicular to a bore drain in western Queensland.  Close to the drain, salt accumulation and increased pH was evident in the Kandosol but leaching of salts was apparent in the Vertosol.

Relationships among cropping system, slope position and aspect were analyzed. Effects of cropping system and topography on soil nutrients variation were explored. Dominant factors affecting soil nutrients variation were in the order of (i) cropping system, (ii) slope position, and (iii) aspect.