Trafficability of farmland under changing climatic conditions
Background and Goals
Soil compaction jeopardises the yield level and therefore the long-term soil fertility. The most important influencing factor for assessing the risk is the soil water content, which will change as a result of climate change. To analyse the trafficability of farmland, information about changes in the soil water content is required.
The objective of the "Assessment of farmland trafficability under changing climatic and cultivation conditions" project is to extend the risk assessment for the issue of soil compaction on farmland. As a basis for assessing the trafficability of land used for agriculture, it is necessary to calculate and classify the load exerted on the subsoil by the equipment used in practice. This is essential to allow load situations to be assessed and evaluated using the "preloading" concept and taking account of the soil moisture.
The work is based on the completed "Development of a testing concept for recording the actual risk of compaction of land used for agriculture" project and is designed to supplement the existing testing concept, while also opening up the possibility of providing information on the soil moisture.
The following work packages are being carried out:
- Calculation of load exertion by equipment in subsoil and classification for specific operations and crop types,
- Influence of climate change on trafficability compared to the currently prevailing climatic and moisture conditions up to 2100,
- Implementation of a "soil compaction" consultancy and decision-making portal in a web application,
- Highlighting the relevance of results obtained for enforcement and practice and for ongoing development of the German Federal Soil Conservation and Contaminated Sites Ordinance (BBodSchV),
- Running of 2 specialist seminars,
- Holding a final workshop for presentation of the results obtained and the latest findings on the issue of compaction.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- Germany
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
The project uses existing climate models: Based on existing water balance models and climatic condition variables, the generalised soil moisture over the year will be compared with three scenario periods in the future.
Based on the methodology and the information provided by the DWD on the distribution of soil moisture from observed climate data, national periods of trafficability under current conditions will be determined. This evaluation will provide a basis for comparison for creating forecasts and soil moisture details also provided by the DWD up to 2100, and will deliver information for necessary adaptation measures for trafficability.
Parameter (climate signals)
- Altered rainfall patterns
- Higher average temperatures
Further Parameters
climatic water balance, soil moisture
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
The changes to temperature and moisture patterns caused by climate change will have an influence on agricultural land use and therefore indirectly on the compaction risk of farmland. The soil moisture related to soil fertility and the yield function is the most important influencing factor in assessing the trafficability of agricultural land. Soil moisture depends particularly on local variations in soil type and on climatic factors and is subject to considerable fluctuations.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
The project will be based on existing climate models and will provide information about the extent to which the harvesting window will need to shift or the soil pressure depending on cultivation needs to be adjusted within the framework of good technical practice. This will involve deriving the soil pressures that occur in practice depending on methods used, providing a basis for decisions on the choice of appropriate equipment. To supplement existing consultancy techniques, modelling will be used used to determine soil pressures in the subsoil for specific processes that will enable the soil pressure to be adapted to the current trafficability.
Time horizon
- 2071–2100 (far future)
Participants
Funding / Financing
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU); Project owner: German Environment Agency (UBA)
Project management
Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)
Cooperation/Partners
Ingenieurbüro Lebert, Kiel;
geoflux GbR, Halle/Saale;
Contact
Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)
Wörlitzer Platz 1
D-06844 Dessau-Roßlau
