From healthy grassland to badland surface in a highland Mediterranean environment: changes in topsoil properties and soil ecosystem services (Sierra de las Nieves, southern Spain).

From healthy grassland to badland surface in a highland Mediterranean environment: changes in topsoil properties and soil ecosystem services (Sierra de las Nieves, southern Spain). | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 12 November 2025 V1 Latest version Share on From healthy grassland to badland surface in a highland Mediterranean environment: changes in topsoil properties and soil ecosystem services (Sierra de las Nieves, southern Spain). Authors : Mario Menjíbar-Romero 0000-0001-9261-4445 [email protected] , Estela Nadal-Romero 0000-0002-4651-7828 , Paloma Hueso-González , and Juan Martinez-Murillo 0000-0002-8963-0505 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176293642.22667806/v1 175 views 91 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Global Change results from the combined effects of climate warming and human activities. Within this context, mountain regions are particularly vulnerable due to the elevation-dependent amplification of global warming. Grasslands, a key ecosystem in these environments, underpin essential socio-ecological functions, including mowing and livestock grazing, which are crucial for sustaining local communities. This study examines shifts in topsoil properties as healthy grasslands become degraded through the combined influence of grazing pressure and water erosion in a high Mediterranean mountain environment in the southern Iberian Peninsula. To this end, eco-geomorphological conditions—namely vegetation cover, surface components, geomorphic processes, and topsoil attributes (bulk density, texture, organic matter and carbon content, aggregate stability, pH, electrical conductivity, carbonate and cation contents, and water-holding capacity)—were assessed within an open experimental plot. The plot incorporated non-degraded, semi-degraded, and degraded grasslands, as well as adjacent badland surfaces. The findings indicate that (i) grassland degradation leads to significant alterations in several topsoil properties, and notably, degraded grasslands may approach the degradation status of badland surfaces; (ii) the deterioration of topsoil properties translates into a marked reduction in water availability and a decline in topsoil aggregate stability; and (iii) these changes directly affect key regulating ecosystem services delivered by grassland soils in the study area. Such impacts are especially evident in processes fundamental to geo-environmental functioning—such as carbon accumulation, water cycling, and soil erosion—under ongoing Global Change. Supplementary Material File (manuscript_mmr_ldd.docx) Download 11.53 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 November 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords badland grassland high mountain soil regulating ecosystem services topsoil degradation Authors Affiliations Mario Menjíbar-Romero 0000-0001-9261-4445 [email protected] Universidad de Malaga View all articles by this author Estela Nadal-Romero 0000-0002-4651-7828 Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia View all articles by this author Paloma Hueso-González Universidad de Malaga View all articles by this author Juan Martinez-Murillo 0000-0002-8963-0505 Universidad de Malaga View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 175 views 91 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Mario Menjíbar-Romero, Estela Nadal-Romero, Paloma Hueso-González, et al. From healthy grassland to badland surface in a highland Mediterranean environment: changes in topsoil properties and soil ecosystem services (Sierra de las Nieves, southern Spain).. Authorea . 12 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176293642.22667806/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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