Modeling the soil structure dynamics

The soil structure is the agency and associations of inorganic and organic materials, forming empty voids, that can be filled with air or water and that provide habitat to the soil microorganisms. The ensemble of these empty voids constitues the soil structure, which is dynamic It is mechanically modified by plants roots, soil fauna, geophages organisms and bio-chemically modified through the activities of the soil microorganisms. The soil structure dynamic is also driven by external drivers, such as climate and human activities. Modifications of the soil structure modifies the static and dynamic physico-chemical properties of the soil and, consequently, soil functions, including, but not limited to, water cycle regulation.

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Monitoring the soil structure and understanding the processes behind its dynamics are essential to better predict soil properties that regulate and sustain the soil functions.

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You will be part of a larger project aiming to improve our comprehension of the dynamics of the soil macroporal network under crops studied with X-ray tomography.

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Your objective will be to use the available data to parametrize and feed a model developed by Jarvis et al. (2024) and to evaluate the impact of three different tillage practices on the soil structure dynamics and its effects on water and organic matter cycling at the soil profile scale.