The impact of climate change on soil compaction

The article considers the impact of modern climate change on soil compaction processes as one of the key factors reducing the productivity of agroecosystems. It is shown that climate change in Russia is manifested not only in the increase in temperature (up to 0.47°C per decade), but also in the transformation of the hydrothermal regime, including an increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events, a change in seasonality, and an increase in climatic instability. It has been established that the main mechanism for increasing compaction is a change in the water regime of soils: with an increase in the proportion of heavy precipitation, moisture infiltration deteriorates, surface runoff and erosion increase, and a soil crust forms. Particular attention is paid to changes in the physical properties of the soil. Compaction is accompanied by an increase in bulk density (from 1.1-1.2 to 1.4-1.6 g/cm³), a decrease in total porosity (from 50-55% to 35-40%), deterioration of the structure, and the destruction of aggregates. This leads to decreased water permeability, impaired aeration, and disrupted gas exchange, limiting oxygen supply to plant roots and soil biota. Changes in the ratio of solid, liquid, and gas phases in the soil worsen the conditions for root development and reduce the efficiency of moisture and nutrient use. It is noted that the combination of increased soil moisture and increased agricultural machinery mass leads to the formation of stable compacted horizons, including plow pans, causing yield losses of up to 10-40%. The role of soil biota, which is sensitive to changes in the physical condition of the soil, is also considered. The study demonstrates that compaction under climate change is cumulative, creating a vicious cycle of degradation and requiring comprehensive agricultural adaptation measures.

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