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Hemmati, S., Moravej, K., Navidi, M., Golchin, A., Seyedmohammadi, J. (2025). Assessing the Effects of Converting Barren Land to Olive Orchards on Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties: A Case Study in Guilan Province. , 39(3), 361-381. doi: 10.22092/ijsr.2025.371182.798
Samira Hemmati; Kamran Moravej; Mir Naser Navidi; Ahmad Golchin; Javad Seyedmohammadi. "Assessing the Effects of Converting Barren Land to Olive Orchards on Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties: A Case Study in Guilan Province". , 39, 3, 2025, 361-381. doi: 10.22092/ijsr.2025.371182.798
Hemmati, S., Moravej, K., Navidi, M., Golchin, A., Seyedmohammadi, J. (2025). 'Assessing the Effects of Converting Barren Land to Olive Orchards on Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties: A Case Study in Guilan Province', , 39(3), pp. 361-381. doi: 10.22092/ijsr.2025.371182.798
Hemmati, S., Moravej, K., Navidi, M., Golchin, A., Seyedmohammadi, J. Assessing the Effects of Converting Barren Land to Olive Orchards on Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties: A Case Study in Guilan Province. , 2025; 39(3): 361-381. doi: 10.22092/ijsr.2025.371182.798

Assessing the Effects of Converting Barren Land to Olive Orchards on Soil Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties: A Case Study in Guilan Province

پژوهش های خاک
Article 8, Volume 39, Issue 3, December 2025, Pages 361-381    PDF (1.61 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.22092/ijsr.2025.371182.798
Authors
Samira Hemmati* 1; Kamran Moravej1; Mir Naser Navidi2; Ahmad Golchin1; Javad Seyedmohammadi2
1Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
2Soil and Water Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Land use change has been widely recognized as a major anthropogenic driver altering soil quality and ecosystem functions, particularly in semi-arid environments. The conversion of natural or unused lands to agricultural systems often induces significant transformations in the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of soils. In Iran, especially in the northern semi-arid zones, such changes have accelerated due to agricultural expansion, yet region-specific studies remain limited. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of converting bare lands into olive orchards on key soil properties in Lushan, a representative semi-arid region in Guilan Province. Understanding how these changes affect soil functionality is essential for sustainable land management and ecological restoration.
 

 



Methodology: The study area is located in the Lushan district of Guilan Province, encompassing approximately 300 hectares and characterized by semi-arid climatic conditions with an average annual precipitation of 273 mm. Two distinct land uses (bare land and olive orchard) were selected for soil sampling. Composite soil samples were collected from each land use type at a depth of 0–30 cm, with 12 replicates per treatment. Physical properties such as texture, bulk density, and dispersible clay were measured using standard methods. Chemical properties including soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Pava.), available potassium (Kava.), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), were analyzed. Biological indicators such as basal respiration and microbial quotient were also assessed. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test at p < 0.01 significance level.
 
Results and Discussion: The findings revealed that land use conversion significantly influenced most soil parameters. SOC increased by 2.82-fold in olive orchards compared to bare land. Total nitrogen rose by 2.86 times, respectively, while Pava. improved by 18.42% in olive orchards. Available Kava., particularly in olive orchards, reached 105.26 mg/kg, 6.7 times higher than in bare soils. CEC increased by 7.48% in olive orchards, reflecting improved nutrient retention. EC levels rose by approximately 15% in agricultural soils, while pH declined from 8.42 in bare soils to 8.30 in olive orchard soils, indicating enhanced acid-neutral buffering and potential improvement in micronutrient availability. In terms of physical characteristics, bulk density was reduced by 5.19% in olive orchards, enhancing soil aeration and root growth potential. Dispersible clay content decreased by 25.18%, indicating greater soil structural stability and reduced erosion risk. Biologically, basal respiration increased significantly, with values of 0.540 mg CO₂g⁻¹ in olive orchards, compared to 0.283 mg CO₂ g⁻¹ in bare soils. This reflects heightened microbial activity and improved organic matter turnover in cultivated soils. These results confirm that the adoption of agricultural land uses under managed conditions can lead to substantial improvements in soil health by enhancing organic matter content, nutrient cycling, microbial function, and structural stability.
 

 



Conclusion: The conversion of bare lands to olive orchards under the semi-arid conditions of Guilan Province significantly enhanced soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Improvements in SOC, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and microbial activity suggest that such land use transformations, if well-managed, can contribute to restoring soil functionality and increasing sustainable productivity. However, monitoring potential issues, such as salinity buildup and nutrient leaching, remains essential. These findings underscore the importance of land use planning and adaptive soil management in semi-arid agroecosystems.

 
Keywords
Land Use Change; Olive Orchard; Soil Quality; Soil Organic Carbon Stock; Soil Properties
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