Agriculture, Vol. 32 No. 1, 2026.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.32.1.10
Divergent Trends in Soil Organic Carbon and Gross Primary Productivity of Agricultural Landscapes in Croatia (2000-2022): a Digital Soil Mapping Assessment
Lucija Galić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
*
Dorijan Radočaj
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Mladen Jurišić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ivan Plaščak
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Vlatko Galić
; Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno predgrađe 17, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
We conducted the first countrywide research study on the distribution and variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, SOC density, soil pH, and gross primary productivity (GPP) in Croatia's agri-ecosystem for a 22-year period (2000-2022). Using the free-geospatial datasets, OpenLandMap and EcoDataCube, we attempted to study time-series trends in 21 administrative counties. The approach involved a 5-year prediction of the soil characteristics, as well as an annual composite of GPP and normalized difference tillage index (NDTI) to represent vegetation indices. Trends were determined through the linear regression of the spatially consolidated mean values at the level of counties. Analysis for the entire country for the five-year mean of GPP and SOC showed a high correlation (r = 0.91). However, a pronounced regional split was observed, whereby in some of the intensive continental agricultural regions, significant depletion of SOC was noted (e.g., Međimurje County: slope = -0.0223 g/kg, R2 = 0.79) and in some of the Mediterranean coastal regions, significant carbon enrichment was documented (e.g. Split‐Dalmatia County: slope = +0.0431 g/kg, R2 = 0.98). Nevertheless, these contrasts a general “greening” trend (increasing GPP) was observed in Croatia. The separation of rising biomass productivity from decreasing soil carbon in northern Croatia suggests that intensive tillage and biomass removal are surpassing carbon inputs. Conversely, southern gains likely reflect perennial systems and land abandonment, demonstrating the utility of earth observation for targeted soil management.
Keywords
Soil Organic Carbon; carbon farming; OpenLandMap; EcoDataCube; Normalized Difference Tillage Index; spatiotemporal trends
Hrčak ID:
348742
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2026.
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