Influence of former lynchets on soil cover structure and soil organic carbon storage in agricultural land, Central Czechia

Lynchets represent a traditional landscape element in agricultural landscapes having multiple functions in soil material redistribution, water retention, biodiversity and landscape character. They act as a barrier to translocated soil matter, and they can store a significant amount of soil material and soil organic carbon. Lynchets developed in many regions during formation of agriculture landscape as field boundaries or path networks. Further management led to unleveling of the fields and development of lynchets. During the 20th century, a large number of lynchets disappeared in Central and Western Europe due to land consolidation, intensification and industrialization of agriculture. This study was performed at a large agricultural study plot with dissected relief (Central Czechia) with the aim of assessing the influence of former but now completely levelled lynchets on actual soil stratigraphy, depth, soil organic carbon stocks and structure of soil units. The soil profiles in 20‐m‐long transects perpendicular to former lynchets were analysed, and statistical relationships between the positions above, in and below the former lynchets were assessed. The results showed high variability of studied soil characteristics in the areas of former lynchets. Statistically significant greater A horizon thickness (50–100 cm) and SOC stock (12.7 kg/m2) were observed in the location of a former lynchet, where colluvial soils were identified. Other areas of accumulation were identified below a lynchet, at the former break‐in‐slope. The strip above a lynchet was identified as a sediment delivery area, having a partly truncated soil profile. SOC concentration and SOC stock in A horizon did not differ significantly in the positions in, above or below a lynchet.