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Title: SOIL ORGANIC CARBON IN SMALL WATERSHEDS UNDER LONG-TERM AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Author
item Ritchie, Jerry
item Owens, Lloyd
item McCarty, Gregory
item VENTERIS, E - OHIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Submitted to: World Congress of Soil Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2006
Publication Date: 9/9/2006
Citation: Ritchie, J.C., Owens, L.B., McCarty, G.W., Venteris, E.R. 2006. Soil organic carbon in small watersheds under long-term agricultural management systems [abstract]. Abstracts of the 18th World Congress of Soil Science. Paper No. 1-7.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Patterns of soil organic carbon vary in agricultural landscapes where different management systems are used to minimize the redistribution of soils. This study measured the soil organic carbon content in 20 small (<3 ha) first order research watersheds at the USDA ARS North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (NAEW) near Coshocton, Ohio USA. These small watersheds have had single management regimes since 1935. These long-term management regimes include conventional tillage with and without manure added, no-tillage with manure added, pasture (high and medium fertility), and meadows (good and poor condition). Soil organic carbon differed significantly between management practices and was related to soil redistribution rates as measured using radioactive fallout Cesium-137. This study shows the impacts of soil redistribution on soil organic carbon within small watersheds between different management practices and aids in understanding soil organic carbon and soil redistribution patterns related management system.