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Papers by Giacomo Sartori
Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2019
Core Ideas A common humus classification system improves communication among soil scientists. A c... more Core Ideas A common humus classification system improves communication among soil scientists. A cellular phone application can be used for global soil mapping and monitoring purposes. The humus classification can be combined with different soil classification systems. The name TerrHum is an abbreviation of the words “Terrestrial” (not hydromorphic, not submerged) and “Humipedon” (organic and organic‐mineral humus horizons). With this application, it is possible to describe and classify terrestrial forest and grassland topsoils in a system published as a Special Issue entitled “Humusica 1– Terrestrial Natural Humipedons” in the journal Applied Soil Ecology. The iOS application TerrHum allows the storage of the main content of Humusica 1 on a cellular phone. Images, diagrams and simplified tables of classification may be recalled with a few touches on the screen. Humus forms, representing five humus systems, are classified based on the vertical arrangement of diagnostic horizons and t...
iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2018
Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry Culturable fungi associated with wood dec... more Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry Culturable fungi associated with wood decay of Picea abies in subalpine forest soils: a field-mesocosm case study Claudia M Oliveira Longa (1) , Davide Francioli (2) , Maria Gómez-Brandón (3-4) , Judith Ascher-Jenull (5-6) , Tommaso Bardelli (5-6) , Giacomo Pietramellara (6) , Markus Egli (7) , Giacomo Sartori (8) , Heribert Insam (5) Fungi are the principal wood decomposers in forest ecosystems and their activity provides wood necromass to other living organisms. However, the wood decay mechanisms and the associated microbial community are largely unknown, especially in Alpine areas. In this study, the culturable fraction of fungal communities associated with the decomposition of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) deadwood in subalpine forest soils were determined using microbiological methods coupled with molecular identification. Fungal communities were evaluated using in-field mesocosms after one year of exposition of P. abies wood blocks along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1200 up to 2000 m a.s.l. comprising eight subalpine sites, four of them located at north-and other four at south-facing slopes. Although many saprotrophic species were isolated from the wood blocks, several white-rot species as the pathogenic fungi Armillaria cepistipes and Heterobasidion annosum, along with soft-rot fungi such as Lecytophora sp. were identified. Our results further indicated that the wood-inhabiting fungal community was mainly influenced by topographic features and by the chemical properties of the wood blocks, providing first insights into the effect of different slope exposure on the deadwood mycobiome in the subalpine forest ecosystem.
The name TerrHum comes from the abbreviation of the words Terrestrial (not hydromorphic, not subm... more The name TerrHum comes from the abbreviation of the words Terrestrial (not hydromorphic, not submerged soils) and Humipedon (superficial part of a soil, richer in organic matter and composed of organic and organo-mineral soil horizons). This application allows classifying all forest topsoils except submerged ones. The app is built on the indications about humus diagnostic horizons, humus Forms and humus Systems reported and illustrated in 8 articles published in an Applied Soil Ecology Special Issue entitled Humusica (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/applied-soil-ecology/vol/122/part/P1).
Waldhumusformen dienen als wichtiger Indikator fur Abbauprozesse toter organischer Substanz im Ob... more Waldhumusformen dienen als wichtiger Indikator fur Abbauprozesse toter organischer Substanz im Oberboden und in der organischen Auflage. Ihre raumliche Verbreitung steht im Zusammenhang mit Umweltfaktoren wie Relief, Klima und Vegetation. Diese Faktoren sind im Hochgebirge durch eine starke raumliche Heterogenitat gekennzeichnet, die sich in einer hohen Variabilitat der Standortbedingungen und somit der Humusformen widerspiegelt. In dieser Studie wurden Waldhumusformen in einem Gebiet in den norditalienischen Alpen (Val di Sole / Val di Rabbi, Trentino) untersucht. Ziel war die Analyse der Verbreitungsmuster von Waldhumusformen in Abhangigkeit von der raumlichen Skala (lokale Ebene, Hangebene und Landschaftsebene). Gemas der unterschiedlichen Standortbedingungen im Untersuchungsgebiet wurden folgende Standorte fur die Analyse von Waldhumusformen ausgewahlt: auf lokaler Ebene sechs Standorte mit Hilfe von Expertenwissen, auf Hangebene 60 Standorte und auf Landschaftsebene 30 zusatzli...
European Journal of Soil Biology, 2017
The aim of this study was to map the spatial distribution of enchytraeids and humus forms in a st... more 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 percentage 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.
In Europe an abundance of humus taxonomies exists starting with early approaches in the late 19 t... more In Europe an abundance of humus taxonomies exists starting with early approaches in the late 19 th century. Frequently used in an international context, they do not cover all site conditions in the European area. Although having basic concepts and general lines, the European (and North American, Canadian) classification systems differ in important parameters used for the description and classification of humus forms. These discrepancies result in incongruities, so require adjustments when exchanging partially compatible soil data, even between nearby countries. In 2003, 26 European specialists in humus forms met in Trento (Italy) and decided to formulate rules of classification based on morphogenetic descriptions and diagnostic horizons, adapted to European ecological conditions. Taking into account old and new European and North American systems of humus forms classification, six main references (Anmoor, Mull, Moder, Mor, Amphi and Tangel) were defined, each of them further dividing into detailed categories. This inventory assigned a strong discriminatory power to the action of the pedofauna. Both semiterrestrial (anoxic) and terrestrial (aerated) topsoils were classified. The descriptors of the diagnostic horizons were conceived in accordance with the spirit of recent international soil classifications. Assigning an "ecological value" to each main humus form along a gradient dividing those characterized by accumulation of poorly transformed organic matter, from very biologically active forms degrading and incorporating all organic remains, this European system of classification avoids a hierarchical structure and allows an elastic approach open to additional ecological contributions and renditions.
The knowledge of a little number of specific terms is necessary to investigate and describe fores... more The knowledge of a little number of specific terms is necessary to investigate and describe forest topsoils: diagnostic features lead to the designation of diagnostic organic and organic-mineral horizons. The vertical arrangement of diagnostic horizons defines humus systems each of them subdivided humus forms. Below you find the description of a iOS application (Fig; 1 to 5). TerrHum allows the classification of 5 Terrestrial humus systems (Mull, Moder Mor, Amphi and Tangel) and 17 humus forms (Eumull… Pachytangel) answering a a series of yes/no question. After a few days of field experience you will be able to diagnose your soil, even without digging a whole soil pit. Be patient and consequently follow what is published in the eight articles of Humusica Part 1, an Applied Soil Ecology special issue dedicated to forest not submerged humus systems. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/applied-soil-ecology/vol/122/part/P1).
Sustainability, 2018
Humus forms are a distinctive morphological indicator of soil organic matter decomposition. The s... more Humus forms are a distinctive morphological indicator of soil organic matter decomposition. The spatial distribution of humus forms depends on environmental factors such as topography, climate and vegetation. In montane and subalpine forests, environmental influences show a high spatial heterogeneity, which is reflected by a high spatial variability of humus forms. This study aims at examining spatial patterns of humus forms and their dependence on the spatial scale in a high mountain forest environment (Val di Sole/Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). On the basis of the distributions of environmental covariates across the study area, we described humus forms at the local scale (six sampling sites), slope scale (60 sampling sites) and landscape scale (30 additional sampling sites). The local variability of humus forms was analyzed with regard to the ground cover type. At the slope and landscape scale, spatial patterns of humus forms were modeled applying random forests and ordina...
From 2003 on, a panel of experts in humus and humus dynamics (Humus group) has been working on a ... more From 2003 on, a panel of experts in humus and humus dynamics (Humus group) has been working on a European Humus Form Reference Base. It roots deeply in national humus forms classification systems, while a lot of work had still to be done in order to standardize definitions and approaches. Some important goals have been reached, in order to share data and experiences: a) definition of specific terms; b) description of 15 types of diagnostic horizons; c) description of 10 basic humus forms references; d) subdivision of each main reference in 2-4 subunits; e) elaboration of a general European Humus Form Reference Base (http://hal-agroparistech.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/56/17/95/PDF/Humus_Forms_ERB_31_01_2011.pdf); f) publication of the scientific significance of this classification base as an article [A European morpho-functional classification of humus forms. Geoderma, 164 (3-4), 138-145]. The classification will be updated every 2 years and presently the Humus group is assessing biological (fungi, bacteria, pedofauna), physical (air temperature, rainfall) and chemical (pH, nutrients, quality and quantity of humic compounds…) factors which characterize basic humus forms and their varieties. The principles of the classification, the diagnostic horizons and humus forms main references are presented at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union with the aim to stimulate members’ curiosity. Interested people are invited to test the classification system in various field areas and to collaborate with the Humus group. Critical observations and field data/assessments are welcome as every other suggestion which can help in elaborating the 2013 version of the European humus forms classification.
Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2019
Core Ideas A common humus classification system improves communication among soil scientists. A c... more Core Ideas A common humus classification system improves communication among soil scientists. A cellular phone application can be used for global soil mapping and monitoring purposes. The humus classification can be combined with different soil classification systems. The name TerrHum is an abbreviation of the words “Terrestrial” (not hydromorphic, not submerged) and “Humipedon” (organic and organic‐mineral humus horizons). With this application, it is possible to describe and classify terrestrial forest and grassland topsoils in a system published as a Special Issue entitled “Humusica 1– Terrestrial Natural Humipedons” in the journal Applied Soil Ecology. The iOS application TerrHum allows the storage of the main content of Humusica 1 on a cellular phone. Images, diagrams and simplified tables of classification may be recalled with a few touches on the screen. Humus forms, representing five humus systems, are classified based on the vertical arrangement of diagnostic horizons and t...
iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2018
Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry Culturable fungi associated with wood dec... more Biogeosciences and Forestry Biogeosciences and Forestry Culturable fungi associated with wood decay of Picea abies in subalpine forest soils: a field-mesocosm case study Claudia M Oliveira Longa (1) , Davide Francioli (2) , Maria Gómez-Brandón (3-4) , Judith Ascher-Jenull (5-6) , Tommaso Bardelli (5-6) , Giacomo Pietramellara (6) , Markus Egli (7) , Giacomo Sartori (8) , Heribert Insam (5) Fungi are the principal wood decomposers in forest ecosystems and their activity provides wood necromass to other living organisms. However, the wood decay mechanisms and the associated microbial community are largely unknown, especially in Alpine areas. In this study, the culturable fraction of fungal communities associated with the decomposition of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) deadwood in subalpine forest soils were determined using microbiological methods coupled with molecular identification. Fungal communities were evaluated using in-field mesocosms after one year of exposition of P. abies wood blocks along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1200 up to 2000 m a.s.l. comprising eight subalpine sites, four of them located at north-and other four at south-facing slopes. Although many saprotrophic species were isolated from the wood blocks, several white-rot species as the pathogenic fungi Armillaria cepistipes and Heterobasidion annosum, along with soft-rot fungi such as Lecytophora sp. were identified. Our results further indicated that the wood-inhabiting fungal community was mainly influenced by topographic features and by the chemical properties of the wood blocks, providing first insights into the effect of different slope exposure on the deadwood mycobiome in the subalpine forest ecosystem.
The name TerrHum comes from the abbreviation of the words Terrestrial (not hydromorphic, not subm... more The name TerrHum comes from the abbreviation of the words Terrestrial (not hydromorphic, not submerged soils) and Humipedon (superficial part of a soil, richer in organic matter and composed of organic and organo-mineral soil horizons). This application allows classifying all forest topsoils except submerged ones. The app is built on the indications about humus diagnostic horizons, humus Forms and humus Systems reported and illustrated in 8 articles published in an Applied Soil Ecology Special Issue entitled Humusica (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/applied-soil-ecology/vol/122/part/P1).
Waldhumusformen dienen als wichtiger Indikator fur Abbauprozesse toter organischer Substanz im Ob... more Waldhumusformen dienen als wichtiger Indikator fur Abbauprozesse toter organischer Substanz im Oberboden und in der organischen Auflage. Ihre raumliche Verbreitung steht im Zusammenhang mit Umweltfaktoren wie Relief, Klima und Vegetation. Diese Faktoren sind im Hochgebirge durch eine starke raumliche Heterogenitat gekennzeichnet, die sich in einer hohen Variabilitat der Standortbedingungen und somit der Humusformen widerspiegelt. In dieser Studie wurden Waldhumusformen in einem Gebiet in den norditalienischen Alpen (Val di Sole / Val di Rabbi, Trentino) untersucht. Ziel war die Analyse der Verbreitungsmuster von Waldhumusformen in Abhangigkeit von der raumlichen Skala (lokale Ebene, Hangebene und Landschaftsebene). Gemas der unterschiedlichen Standortbedingungen im Untersuchungsgebiet wurden folgende Standorte fur die Analyse von Waldhumusformen ausgewahlt: auf lokaler Ebene sechs Standorte mit Hilfe von Expertenwissen, auf Hangebene 60 Standorte und auf Landschaftsebene 30 zusatzli...
European Journal of Soil Biology, 2017
The aim of this study was to map the spatial distribution of enchytraeids and humus forms in a st... more 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 percentage 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.
In Europe an abundance of humus taxonomies exists starting with early approaches in the late 19 t... more In Europe an abundance of humus taxonomies exists starting with early approaches in the late 19 th century. Frequently used in an international context, they do not cover all site conditions in the European area. Although having basic concepts and general lines, the European (and North American, Canadian) classification systems differ in important parameters used for the description and classification of humus forms. These discrepancies result in incongruities, so require adjustments when exchanging partially compatible soil data, even between nearby countries. In 2003, 26 European specialists in humus forms met in Trento (Italy) and decided to formulate rules of classification based on morphogenetic descriptions and diagnostic horizons, adapted to European ecological conditions. Taking into account old and new European and North American systems of humus forms classification, six main references (Anmoor, Mull, Moder, Mor, Amphi and Tangel) were defined, each of them further dividing into detailed categories. This inventory assigned a strong discriminatory power to the action of the pedofauna. Both semiterrestrial (anoxic) and terrestrial (aerated) topsoils were classified. The descriptors of the diagnostic horizons were conceived in accordance with the spirit of recent international soil classifications. Assigning an "ecological value" to each main humus form along a gradient dividing those characterized by accumulation of poorly transformed organic matter, from very biologically active forms degrading and incorporating all organic remains, this European system of classification avoids a hierarchical structure and allows an elastic approach open to additional ecological contributions and renditions.
The knowledge of a little number of specific terms is necessary to investigate and describe fores... more The knowledge of a little number of specific terms is necessary to investigate and describe forest topsoils: diagnostic features lead to the designation of diagnostic organic and organic-mineral horizons. The vertical arrangement of diagnostic horizons defines humus systems each of them subdivided humus forms. Below you find the description of a iOS application (Fig; 1 to 5). TerrHum allows the classification of 5 Terrestrial humus systems (Mull, Moder Mor, Amphi and Tangel) and 17 humus forms (Eumull… Pachytangel) answering a a series of yes/no question. After a few days of field experience you will be able to diagnose your soil, even without digging a whole soil pit. Be patient and consequently follow what is published in the eight articles of Humusica Part 1, an Applied Soil Ecology special issue dedicated to forest not submerged humus systems. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/applied-soil-ecology/vol/122/part/P1).
Sustainability, 2018
Humus forms are a distinctive morphological indicator of soil organic matter decomposition. The s... more Humus forms are a distinctive morphological indicator of soil organic matter decomposition. The spatial distribution of humus forms depends on environmental factors such as topography, climate and vegetation. In montane and subalpine forests, environmental influences show a high spatial heterogeneity, which is reflected by a high spatial variability of humus forms. This study aims at examining spatial patterns of humus forms and their dependence on the spatial scale in a high mountain forest environment (Val di Sole/Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). On the basis of the distributions of environmental covariates across the study area, we described humus forms at the local scale (six sampling sites), slope scale (60 sampling sites) and landscape scale (30 additional sampling sites). The local variability of humus forms was analyzed with regard to the ground cover type. At the slope and landscape scale, spatial patterns of humus forms were modeled applying random forests and ordina...
From 2003 on, a panel of experts in humus and humus dynamics (Humus group) has been working on a ... more From 2003 on, a panel of experts in humus and humus dynamics (Humus group) has been working on a European Humus Form Reference Base. It roots deeply in national humus forms classification systems, while a lot of work had still to be done in order to standardize definitions and approaches. Some important goals have been reached, in order to share data and experiences: a) definition of specific terms; b) description of 15 types of diagnostic horizons; c) description of 10 basic humus forms references; d) subdivision of each main reference in 2-4 subunits; e) elaboration of a general European Humus Form Reference Base (http://hal-agroparistech.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/56/17/95/PDF/Humus_Forms_ERB_31_01_2011.pdf); f) publication of the scientific significance of this classification base as an article [A European morpho-functional classification of humus forms. Geoderma, 164 (3-4), 138-145]. The classification will be updated every 2 years and presently the Humus group is assessing biological (fungi, bacteria, pedofauna), physical (air temperature, rainfall) and chemical (pH, nutrients, quality and quantity of humic compounds…) factors which characterize basic humus forms and their varieties. The principles of the classification, the diagnostic horizons and humus forms main references are presented at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union with the aim to stimulate members’ curiosity. Interested people are invited to test the classification system in various field areas and to collaborate with the Humus group. Critical observations and field data/assessments are welcome as every other suggestion which can help in elaborating the 2013 version of the European humus forms classification.