Biochar considerably increases the easily available water and nutrient content in low-organic soils amended with compost and manure.

The soil hydraulic properties of two low-organic soils (Fluvisol; Regosol) were investigated following their amendment with biochar alone or in combination with manure, compost and co-composted biochar. Self-irrigating boxes containing the soil and amendment combinations were purposed with a battery of soil moisture sensors as well as soil porewater sampling devices. Static sampling determined bulk density, porosity and derived soil water retention curves. The aim of this study was to identify the most advantageous amendment combinations to enhance soil water retention whilst simultaneously avoiding excessive nutrient leaching arising, primarily, from manure application. Biochar significantly decreased bulk density and increased total porosity when compared to compost in the Fluvisol, whereas manure affected the greatest changes in the Regosol. All of the tested amendments adjusted the shape or extent of the soil water retention curves, but biochar addition resulted in the greatest increase (⁓50%) in easily available water content (for plants) in both soils, when compared to the control. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was, however, not changed by any of the amendments which reflects a lack of influence on infiltration. An enhancement in nutrient retention occurred in some of the soil amendment configurations, such as for co-composted biochar at 2% dosage and 5% manure-biochar mixture, as revealed by porewater analysis. In summary, the application of biochar with and without additional compost and manure can enhance soil water retention in low-organic soils whilst maintaining or enhancing nutrient retention. Such finding supports the application of mixed organic amendments to low-organic (and therefore drought-prone) arable soils.

Comparative analysis of selected hydromorphological assessment methods.

The European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC aims to achieve a good ecological status of all surface water bodies in Europe. The definition of the ecological status is based on the hydromorphological, hydrochemical, and hydrobiological features of water bodies. Numerous methods are applied for the purpose of hydromorphological status assessment. This study attempts to compare four different methods (EcoRivHab, LAWA Field and Overview Survey, and Rapid Bioassessment Protocol) that were applied at two study areas in the Czech part of the Elbe River Basin. The selected catchments represent areas with different sizes and physical geographic as well as socioeconomic characteristics. All the methods applied showed the capacity to identify the natural and even the completely changed reaches and provided good information on the river physical habitat state. However, they are varied from the viewpoint of the number of parameters, number of monitored zones, time and knowledge demands of the performed assessment.