Using present and past climosequences to estimate soil organic carbon and related physical quality indicators under future climatic conditions

We can conclude that climosequences are a useful tool to predict the future dynamics of some soil physical characteristics affected by climate change. Cstock and soil loss by water erosion are expected to change significantly under future climatic conditions, while minor changes are observed for erodibility, compaction and crusting susceptibility, even when SOC variations are significant. In the climosequences, the considered soil physical quality indicators resulted proportionally more affected by the cropping system than by the climate and, within the same cropping system, more variable according to the climate than the time. This outcome confirms the fundamental role of soil physics in controlling the resilience of the soil system to climate change.