Soils are crucial to the health of our planet, as they support terrestrial life. But soil are also important sinks of carbon, playing an important role in the regulation of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 emissions and climate changes. Furthermore, being open, biogeochemical systems, soil regulate the fate of nutrient and toxic elements in the environment.
This session will focus on understanding the biogeochemical processes occurring in hydromorphic (e.g., peatlands, wetlands, coastal areas) and agro-forestal soils.
Relevant topics will include: (i) reconstructions of vegetation and climate of the past; (ii) reconstructions of the human impact on the environment, in terms of organic and inorganic pollutant, land-use, fires, etc; (iii) biogeochemical cycles of major and trace elements; (iv) soil organic carbon evolution under land use management and climate and topographic conditions; v) soils as sink and/or sources of carbon.