Cropland and pasture soils at risk of degradation, better management needed.
Soil in cropland, pasture, and forest areas in West Virginia was studied to see how different land uses affect the amount and quality of carbon in the soil. The researchers found that cropland with manure had more easily degradable carbon at deeper levels, while continuous pasture had lower quality carbon at both depths compared to forest soil. This suggests that cropland and pasture soils are more sensitive to degradation, highlighting the need for better soil management practices in these agricultural systems.