- What are the soil characteristics in the regions where the sampling campaign is conducted?
In the Mediterranean region, soils are characterized by an inherently low moisture regime and limited vegetation growth typical of these areas. Some typical characteristics of these soils are the low soil organic matter levels, the weak soil structure, and the sensitivity to soil erosion.
- Did you face any challenges related to the specific climatic or geographical conditions of each region? What challenges? How did you face these challenges?
The primary challenge is the decreasing precipitation and rising temperatures that these regions are experiencing in the current context of global change. Under this situation, it is key the promotion of adaptation strategies that mitigate the impacts of these changes.
- What specific soil particularities have you found that sparked your interest or were unexpected?
During sampling, it was surprising to find such a low presence of macrofauna. Except for one intensity in the urban land use area, we found very few macrofauna individuals in the samples we collected. Also, the high levels of soil compaction we found were surprising. This was aggravated by the aridity conditions found in the area.
- How does this soil sampling campaign differ from other soil sampling campaigns? Can you indicate the main difficulties you encountered during a big soil sampling like this?
The key differences in this soil sampling campaign compared to others are the size, the variety of sample types collected at each location, and the diversity of the sampling points. We sampled five different land uses, and for each land use, we evaluated three different intensity levels. This approach resulted in a wide range of varying conditions.
- What factors can increase the diversity of soil organisms? And which ones decrease it?
Under Mediterranean conditions, an increase in soil organic matter levels could potentially enhance the diversity of soil organisms. Greater plant diversity would also contribute to this increase.
- What advice would you give to other researchers planning to conduct similar studies?
It is important to be thorough in all stages of the sampling process.
- Who ‘prepared the ground’ and made conditions ready for the soil sampling?
Our project partner from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) was in charge of the soil sampling campaign in the Mediterranean region.
