Human-altered soils–Signatures of Anthrosols and their potential for arable lands

The fertility of human-altered soils,Anthrosols,developed from past settlement activities for crop production is scarcely studied.The study evaluated the fertility of Anthrosols developed from the 15th to mid-20th century AD settlement in Old Buipe,Savanna region,Ghana,to determine whether abandoned localities are suitable for arable fields.Human activities enhanced the physical attributes of the Anthrosols:brown to dark brown intergrain fine soil,15%−35%organic matter,15%−30%potsherd,and 5%−15%charred materials.The Anthrosols were slightly acidic to neutral reactions(pH_([H_(2)O])5.67−6.83,pH_([cacl_(2)])5.83−6.95),high cation exchange capacity(CEC;18.77−45.31me/100 g),electric conductivity(EC=0.28−0.36 dS m^(−1)),accumulation,and distribution of organic C,total N,P,Mn,Cu,Zn,K,and Fe,and available P,K,Ca,Mg,S,Mn,Fe,Cu,and Zn.Plant-available nutrients were comparatively higher than concentrations in non-anthropogenic soils.The level of releasability(bioavailable fractions of total concentrations)of P,K,Ca,Mn,Fe,Cu,and Zn partly compensates for low plant-available portions.Enrichment of chemical and physical properties of Anthrosols make them fertile for arable fields.The signatures of settlement activities are strong and can remain in soils for a long time,even under harsh environmental conditions.