自动基流分割法在黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区典型流域适用性分析

黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区生态环境脆弱,河川基流量的多少及其变化对维持该区生态系统健康具有重要意义.利用黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区窟野河流域多年实测径流资料,研究国内外常用的滑动最小值法、HYSEP法和数字滤波法3类共8种自动基流分割方法在该研究区的适用性.结果表明:1)8种方法所得年均基流指数差异较.大,最大为0.651 5...     

基于最大似然法与矩法的黄土高原小流域土壤碳氮空间变异分析

以黄土高原寺底沟小流域为研究对象,根据不同土地利用方式采集46个样点的土壤样品,通过地统计方法对土壤有机碳和全氮的空间变异特征进行了分析。采用受限最大似然法(REML)和矩法(MOM)两种方法分别对变异函数进行了估计,通过交叉检验选择克里金预测效果较好的变异函数进行地统计插值。(1)与矩法(MOM)相比,在多数情况下受限最大似然法(REML)估计的变异函数进行克里金插值更加准确。(2)土层深度对土壤全氮空间变异影响较小,对土壤有机碳影响较大,表层土壤有机碳含量及变异程度明显高于下层土壤。(3)土地利用方式对土壤有机碳和全氮的空间分布有重要影响,灌木林和天然草地土壤有机碳和全氮水平最高,弃耕地其次,梯田、果园、人工草地最低,表明退耕还林对提高土壤碳氮水平有重要贡献。     

黄土高原典型土壤全氮和微生物氮剖面分布特征研究

为阐明黄土高原典型土壤全氮和微生物氮含量随土壤类型、土层和土地利用方式变化规律,研究了从北向南依次分布的干润砂质新成土(神木)、黄土正常新成土(延安)和土垫旱耕人为土(杨陵)等典型土壤的全氮和微生物氮含量的变化特征。结果表明,不同土壤类型、不同土层全氮和微生物氮含量存在显著差异。从南到北,全氮和微生物氮含量显著下降(P0.05)。对同一土壤类型,全氮和微生物氮含量在060.cm随土层深度增加下降很明显,60120.cm有轻微下降,120.cm以下低而稳定。微生物氮含量随土壤类型的变化趋势与全氮完全相同,其与土壤全氮、有机碳及微生物碳含量均存在极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。土壤微生物氮与全氮比值变化在0.42%9～.44%之间。虽然土地利用对土壤全氮和C/N比影响不显著,但却显著影响微生物氮含量和微生物氮与全氮的比值;与农田土壤相比,草地土壤微生物氮含量和微生物氮与全氮比值均明显增加。这一结果说明微生物氮含量和微生物氮与全氮比值更能有效、快速地反映土壤质量的变化。     

Microbial activity and community structure in degraded soils on the Loess Plateau of China

Soil erosion is the main process leading to soil degradation on the Loess Plateau of China. The effects of soil‐erosion intensity (sheet, rill, and gully erosion) and different land use (140 y–old secondary forest site, 16 y–old bare site, 6 y–old succession site, and 43 y–old arable site) on gross and net N mineralization, soil organic‐carbon (SOC) turnover, the size and structure of the soil microbial community (phospholipid fatty acid analysis) were assessed. Erosion intensity in the bare plot increased from top slope (sheet erosion) to down slope (gully erosion). The more severe the soil erosion the stronger was the decline of SOC, total N, and microbial biomass (MB). The MBC/SOC ratio decreased whereas the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) increased. Differences in nutrient turnover in the different erosion zones of the bare plot were not significant. The microbial community changed towards less Gram negative bacteria and relative more fungi in the gully‐erosion zone. In forest soils, qCO₂ and the MBC/SOC ratio demonstrate a higher substrate‐use efficiency of the microbial biomass than in bare soils. Gross N mineralization and gross NH consumption clearly indicated a higher microbial activity in forest than in bare soils. Arable land use shifted the soil microbial community towards a higher relative abundance of fungi and a lower one of actinomycetes. During 6 y of natural succession on former bare plots, soil nutrient content and turnover as well as microbial biomass and structure developed towards forest conditions.     

黄土高原水蚀风蚀区坡地土壤水分季节变化及水分利用效率

通过建立径流小区对黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区3种典型植被措施下水量平衡进行定位观测研究,分析3种植被措施对土壤水分的季节变化与水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,整个生长季节内3种植被措施下土壤表层5cm温度显著低于空气温度;土壤表层0-6cm水分季节性波动受到降雨的强烈影响。3种植被措施对剖面土壤水分季节变化产生显著影响,5-7月份为土壤水分消耗期,8-10月份为土壤水分补偿期。土壤垂直剖面含水量从表层到深层表现为先增加后减小再增加的趋势。3种植被措施对相同地形部位土壤水分所造成的差异不同,同一植被的土壤水分在不同地形部位也有差异。坡耕地(当年种植绿豆)径流系数为0.238,显著高于撂荒地与苜蓿地。3种植被措施下生物产量、水分利用效率均达到显著差异水平(p<0.05)。紫花苜蓿水分利用效率分别是绿豆、绿豆籽粒水分利用效率的1.9倍和8.3倍。坡耕地退耕还草或者建设人工植被等措施增强了对径流的拦蓄作用,具有较好的水土保持效应,同时提高了植物水分利用效率。     

Soil Moisture Variations with Land Use along the Precipitation Gradient in the North–South Transect of the Loess Plateau

Knowledge of soil moisture spatial variation with land use along the precipitation gradient is necessary to improve land management and guide restoration practice in the water‐limited Chinese Loess Plateau. This study selected 45 sampling points at 11 sites across the north–south transect of the Loess Plateau based on the precipitation gradient and land use. Results showed that the vertical profiles of soil moisture revealed large variations with the precipitation gradient changing, especially in the surface layer (0–100 cm). Significant linear correlation existed between the average soil moisture of the profile and the mean annual precipitation (MAP) for each land use type (p < 0·05). Hereinto, the soil moisture under the grassland was affected more greatly by precipitation. The soil moisture under each land use commonly revealed the trend as farmland > grassland > shrubland > woodland, while it might be higher under the woodland than the shrubland in the surface layer in regions with MAP <500 mm. The soil moisture of woodland or shrubland at the selected points was below or approximate to the permanent wilting point in regions with MAP <520 mm. Covariance analysis confirmed the effects of land use and MAP on the soil moisture in depth of 100–300 cm, and it showed land use did not pose significant effects in the surface layer. In addition, our study indicated that it is necessary to reconsider and re‐evaluate the current vegetation restoration strategy in the perspective of vegetation sustainability and soil water availability, in which woodland and shrubland were selected on a large scale in the arid and semi‐arid regions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于RS/GIS的生态脆弱区土地利用适宜性评价

 以加快水土保持步伐、提高土地生产力、改善生态环境为目的,以黄土高原水蚀风蚀生态脆弱区典型流域为例,以航片为基本信息源,通过实地调查,获得1990年和2002年土地利用数据。根据统计时期内土地利用变化,计算土地利用合理性指数,采用限制性影响因素法,评价研究区土地资源,并与2002年土地利用进行比较。结果表明:1990—2002年,基本农田、林草地类增加,坡旱地减少。1990年,土地利用合理性指数为0.55,2002年为0.67。2002年,农地类土地资源呈两级趋势,具备灌溉条件的水浇地为Ⅰ等适宜性,旱梯田与坡旱地为Ⅲ等适宜性。林地类土地资源有90.32%属Ⅱ等适宜性。牧草地类土地资源属于Ⅰ等适宜性和Ⅱ等适宜性。通过分析,Ⅲ等适宜性农地更适合草类生长。保持现有水浇地和旱梯田面积,将Ⅲ等适宜性农地退为草场,研究区农林牧用地结构将达到1.0∶2.5∶4.8。     

黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带小流域土壤水分季节变化特征与主控因素

土壤水分是黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带生态环境恢复的关键因子,具有明显的时空异质性。以水蚀风蚀交错带的代表性流域—老爷满渠小流域为对象,采用网格法(50 m×50 m)共布设了73个样点,原位观测0—5 m土壤含水率,共测定23次(2013年6月至2019年10月),通过获取每个样点的环境因子,结合经典统计、地统计、随机森林等方法,分析了小流域尺度不同土层深度(每层1 m,共5层)土壤含水率的季节变化特征与影响因素。结果表明:不同土层土壤含水率的空间分布特征和季节性变化规律不同;对于0—1 m土层,土壤含水率在夏季和冬季之间存在显著性差异(p0.05),而对于1 m以下土层,春季平均土壤含水率高于其他季节,但不显著;无论在何种季节,不同土地利用方式、壤土与砂土间的土壤含水率在3 m以上土层均存在显著差异(p0.05),而阴、阳坡的土壤含水率在所有土层均存在显著差异(p0.05);在不同季节,土壤含水率与容重和砂粒呈负相关,与其他环境因子(有机碳含量、黏粒、粉粒、有机碳密度、土地利用、坡向、土壤质地和pH)呈正相关;除有机碳密度和黏粒较为稳定外,土壤含水率与环境因子的相关性均随土层深度增加呈减少趋势;环境因子对土壤含水率空间变异的整体相对贡献表现为土壤性质地形土地利用。研究结果可为研究区深层土壤水资源管理、土壤水文观测与模拟、植被优化布局等提供参考。     

Effect of land use on soil nutrients in the loess hilly area of the Loess Plateau,China

Understanding the effects of land use change on soil properties is important for soil quality improvement and sustainable land use. In this study, six land use types including wasteland (WLD), cropland (CLD), abandoned land (ABD), artificial grassland (AGD), shrubland (SLD) and woodland (WOD) were selected to analyse the effects of land use types on soil nutrient in the Anjiapo catchment in the western part of the Loess Plateau in China. Significant differences were found in soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate nitrogen (NON) (P < 0.01) between the six land use types. Our study also showed that land use types have different effects on soil nutrient storage, and vegetation restoration may improve soil nutrients and soil quality. While crop plantation can significantly decrease soil fertility, the trend can be reversed by cropland abandonment and afforestation. It is recommended that more C input, alternative cultivation practices, vegetation restoration and education and techniques training of local farmers could be used to improve soil conditions and to advance the sustainable land use and local development in the loess hilly area in the Loess Plateau of China. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄土丘陵区不同土地利用方式对土壤微生物量碳氮磷的影响

为探讨植被区与土地利用方式对土壤微生物量的影响,在陕西省延河流域森林区、森林草原区和草原区采集5种土地利用方式下的土壤剖面样品(0-10cm,10-30cm),并对其微生物量碳(SMBC)、微生物量氮(SMBN)和微生物量磷(SMBP)及土壤理化性质进行了分析。结果表明,微生物量磷的含量在3个植被区中均是在农地、撂荒地中相对较高,微生物量碳、氮在森林区表现为:乔木林地>农地在森林草原区表现为:灌木林地>天然草地>乔木林地>农地>撂荒地在草原区表现为:天然草地>乔木林地>灌木林地>农地>撂荒地。相同土地利用方式下,土壤养分和微生物量在森林区最高,森林草原区次之,草原区最低。相关分析表明,微生物量碳、氮、磷、代谢熵、微生物量碳氮比与土壤养分相关性极为密切。因此,土壤微生物量能够作为评价土壤质量的生物学指标。不同植被区不同土地利用方式对土壤质量的改善作用不同,林地和天然草地作用效果好,对土壤微生物量的提高有明显的促进作用。     

黄土高原小流域不同生态建设措施下土壤水稳性团聚体及其全氮分布特征

全氮(TN)作为土壤团聚体形成的胶结物质之一,能加速不同粒级团聚体之间的转化。以黄土高原王茂沟小流域为研究对象,采用"S"法及挖剖面法对坡耕地、草地、灌木地、林地及梯田0—60 cm土壤进行分层取样,以坡耕地为对照,探究4种生态建设下土壤团聚体稳定性及其TN含量,分析不同深度(0—20,20—40,40—60 cm)、不同粒级(5,5～2,2～1,1～0.5,0.5～0.25,0.25 mm)土壤团聚体TN贡献率。结果表明:生态建设显著提高了土壤大团聚体含量,其中草地、林地与坡耕地相比,表层土壤5 mm团聚体分别增加469%和438%,土壤团聚体稳定性(MWD、GMD)增加,在垂直方向上则表现为团聚体稳定性随土层深度增加而降低。较之坡耕地,草地、灌木地、林地及梯田可在不同程度上提高土壤团聚体TN含量,其中林地团聚体TN储量(36.53 kg/m~2)最高,灌木地(32.12 kg/m~2)、草地(20.30 kg/m~2)及梯田(18.62 kg/m~2)TN储量较坡耕地分别增加131%,46%,34%,随着土层深度增加,不同生态建设类型对团聚体TN含量的影响逐渐弱化。随着坡耕地-草地-灌木地-林地的自然演替过程,0.25 mm团聚体TN贡献率呈降低趋势,梯田能够在一定程度上改良坡耕地的土壤结构,粒径范围在5～0.25 mm的土壤团聚体TN含量近乎达到草地的恢复水平,但5 mm团聚体的恢复空间尚且较大。     

近20年来黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区典型小流域土地利用/覆被变化分析

剖析黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区小流域不同土地利用/覆被类型的演变方向和程度,是认识该区侵蚀环境演变趋势,评价区域水土流失动态的重要基础性工作.通过收集黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区典型代表流域——神木县六道沟流域1990、1995、2002年土地利用信息和2010年遥感影像,结合近期实地调查结果,分析该区耕地、林草地和工矿用地等主要土地利用类型在流域内分布格局的变化态势.结果表明:1)1990-2010年,流域林草地面积占总面积比例由35.74％增加到62.79％,耕地面积比例从33.87％锐减至7.61％,坡耕地和旱梯田向林草地大量转移,耕作区域向沟缘线以下沟谷地转移和集中,沟缘线以下耕地面积占耕地总面积比例由13.82％上升至74.04％,工矿用地作业面积由0.28 hm2扩展到14.89 hm2,煤矿开采趋于活跃;2)就影响侵蚀环境演变的流域下垫面条件而言,地表覆被,尤其沟缘线以上坡面植被显著改善,但煤矿开采活动的活跃,一方面对流域内林草生长及土地利用方式存在着极大影响,另一方面,对侵蚀环境的人为恶化起着巨大的促进作用.     

黄土高原半干旱区不同土地利用下的土壤有机碳、碳组分和土壤营养

Cropland (CP), native grassland (NG) and two shrub land treatments which were converted from cropland in 1985:seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ) (ST), and branchytamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) (BT) were investigated to evaluate effects of land use conversion on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil nutrients in the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau of China. Total organic carbon (TOC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC), total N (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO₂^--N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), total P, and available P (AP) were measured. The results showed that SOC in NG, ST and BT were 12.7%, 27.7% and 34.8% higher than that of the cropland, respectively. LFOC, light fraction (LF) dry matter, ratio of TOC to TN (C/N) and the ratio of TOC to AP (C/P) were higher in the shrub land or native grassland than in the cropland. Cropland had the highest TN, the sum of NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N, TP and AP due to the use of chemical fertilizers. TOC significantly correlated with LFOC, HFOC and C/N. LFOC significantly correlated with dry matter of the LF and C/N. TN, the sum of NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N and AP were significantly negatively correlated with TOC and LFOC. Therefore, land use conversion from cropland to shrub land, or maybe grassland, contributed to SOC sequestration and improved soil nutrients stabilization.     

Effect of land‐use on soil nutrients and microbial biomass of an alpine region on the northeastern Tibetan plateau,China

Land‐use patterns affect the quantity and quality of soil nutrients as well as microbial biomass and respiration in soil. However, few studies have been done to assess the influence of land‐use on soil and microbial characteristics of the alpine region on the northeastern Tibetan plateau. In order to understand the effect of land‐use management, we examined the chemical properties and microbial biomass of soils under three land‐use types including natural grassland, crop‐field (50 + y of biennial cropping and fallow) and abandoned old‐field (10 y) in the area. The results showed that the losses of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were about 45 and 43 per cent, respectively, due to cultivation for more than 50 y comparing with natural grassland. Because of the abandonment of cultivation for about a decade, SOC and TN were increased by 27 and 23 per cent, respectively, in comparison with the crop field. Microbial carbon (ranging from 357·5 to 761·6 mg kg⁻¹ soil) in the old‐field was intermediate between the crop field and grassland. Microbial nitrogen (ranging from 29·9 to 106·7 mg kg⁻¹ soil) and respiration (ranging from 60·4 to 96·4 mg CO₂‐C g⁻¹ C_mic d⁻¹) were not significantly lower in the old‐field than those in the grassland. Thus it could be concluded that cultivation decreased the organic matter and microbial biomass in soils, while the adoption of abandonment has achieved some targets of grassland restoration in the alpine region of Gansu Province on the northeastern Tibetan plateau. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of land management on soil nutrients and microbial biomass in the central loess plateau,northwest China

Loss of soil organic matter under cropping systems is often considered one of the most serious forms of agriculturally induced soil degradation. Therefore, understanding how to improve or maintain soil fertility is of importance for sustainable systems of agriculture. This study deals with the effects of succession fallow and fertilization combined with crop rotation on the chemical properties and microbial biomass of soil in the central Loess Plateau, China. In order to create a more uniform experimental environment and avoid the influence of different crop residues, wheat/potato (W/P) rotation was selected as a fertilization treatment. The results showed that with increasing fallow time organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (TN) slightly increased, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and MBC/Corg gradually decreased, and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) remained unchanged. However, only MBC/Corg among all the microbial parameters measured showed significant differences at various stages of fallow. Although there was a decrease in organic carbon and total nitrogen in the fertilized plots, MBC was not significantly different in the various fallow and fertilized plots except for one‐year‐old fallows, which had the highest MBC. MBN, MBC/Corg and MBN/TN in fertilized plots were higher than for plots at different stages of fallow. Fertilization can increase organic carbon, total nitrogen, MBC and MBN content (compared to the control). It was concluded that appropriate land management, such as fertilization combined with crop rotation and reducing one‐year‐old fallow, would be useful ways to improve or maintain soil fertility. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水蚀风蚀交错区典型流域景观格局变化对土壤侵蚀过程的影响

流域土壤侵蚀过程与景观格局的关系是评价流域景观格局合理性的关键问题。以GIS软件为分析平台,以最新提出的"源""汇"景观理论为基础,以水蚀风蚀交错区典型流域——六道沟流域1995,2010年土地利用/覆被格局为分析对象,以淤地坝淤积量作为土壤侵蚀监测信息,利用景观空间负荷对比指数分别分析了这2个时期各景观类型随空间要素配置、贡献权重和组成比例对土壤侵蚀过程的影响,最后对该指数的变化与土壤侵蚀模数的变化进行相关性分析。结果表明:2010年与1995年相比,六道沟流域各集水区的相对高度、坡度、投影距离、运移距离负荷对比指数均呈减小趋势,景观格局分布更加合理,水土流失危险性降低,与同期土壤侵蚀模数变化趋势相同。坡度负荷对比指数增量与土壤侵蚀模数增量相关性较弱,相对高度、投影距离、运移距离负荷对比指数增量与土壤侵蚀模数增量呈显著正相关,运移距离负荷对比指数反映土壤侵蚀过程对景观格局变化响应的效果最好。景观格局负荷对比指数与土壤侵蚀实测值之间均存在较大差异,应进一步改进模拟方法以达到准确量化的目标。坡度负荷对比指数不能很好地解释景观格局对土壤侵蚀过程的影响,需要在坡度取值方式上加以改进。     

Land‐Use Type Effects on Soil Organic Carbon and Microbial Properties in a Semi‐arid Region of Northeast Brazil

Land‐use change is one of the most important anthropogenic environmental change drivers affecting the biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems. However, there is limited knowledge of the consequences for soil processes in many regions around the globe. The Brazilian semi‐arid ecosystem known as Caatinga has experienced the transformation from native forest into agricultural land, with heretofore unknown effects on soil processes and microbial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of five land‐use changes (to maize and cowpea cropland, grape orchard, and cut and grazed pasture) on total organic C (TOC) and total N (TN) stocks and soil microbial properties of Ultisol from Caatinga. Soil samples (0–10 and 10–20 cm depth) were collected during the wet and dry periods. Split–split plot analysis of variance was used to test the effects of land use, soil depth, season and the interaction between land‐use and soil depth on soil microbial properties, TOC and TN stocks. Land‐use effects were more pronounced in the top soil layer than in the lower layer, while the pattern was less consistent in soil microbial properties. Land conversion from native forest to cropland may cause C losses from the soil, but conversion to pastures may even increase the potential of soils to function as C sinks. Grazed pastures showed not only high C and N stocks but also the highest soil microbial biomass and lowest respiratory quotients, all indications for elevated soil C sequestration. Thus, grazed pastures may represent a land‐use form with high ecosystem multifunctionality in Caatinga. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄土区退耕草地小尺度土壤水分空间异质性

通过在黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带选取3块不同年限退耕草地,进行高密度、高频度样带采样,研究分析在表层土壤干旱和湿润状况下,小尺度表层土壤含水率的空间异质性,并分析改变采样间距对土壤含水率空间异质性的影响。结果表明:小尺度表层土壤水分空间异质性为12 a退耕草地>20 a退耕草地>5 a退耕草地;空间变异强度表现为干旱时为中等变异>湿润时为弱变异;表层土壤水分方差与含水率均值呈正相关,土壤水分方差随含水率均值增大而增大;表层土壤水分空间连续性为12 a退耕草地>20 a退耕草地>5 a退耕草地,且与表层土壤含水率呈负相关;小尺度下改变采样间距,在土壤干旱和湿润时均不改变3块退耕草地表层土壤水分空间变异程度。     

基于GIS的黄土高原不同植被区土壤侵蚀研究

在对黄土高原植被进行分区的基础上,利用地理信息系统技术和景观生态学方法对黄土高原植被区空间数据和土壤侵蚀空间数据进行了空间叠加分析。结果表明,黄土高原被划分为森林植被区、森林草原植被区、温性草原植被区和荒漠半荒漠植被区。在森林植被区,黄土高原土壤侵蚀主要以水蚀为主,轻度以上的侵蚀百分比为41.92%,水蚀土壤侵蚀指数比温性草原植被区和荒漠半荒漠植被区的水蚀土壤侵蚀指数大,为346.90。在森林草原植被区,黄土高原土壤侵蚀主要以水蚀为主,轻度以上的侵蚀百分比为70.45%,水蚀土壤侵蚀指数均比其他植被区的水蚀土壤侵蚀指数大,为449.40,水蚀最为严重。在温性草原植被区,黄土高原土壤侵蚀主要以水-风混合侵蚀为主,风蚀微度-水蚀剧烈的百分比最大,为33.01%,水-风混合侵蚀土壤侵蚀指数均比其他植被区的水-风混合侵蚀土壤侵蚀指数大,为633.45,水-风混合侵蚀最为严重。在荒漠半荒漠植被区,黄土高原土壤侵蚀主要以风蚀为主,轻度以上的侵蚀百分比为99.65%,风蚀土壤侵蚀指数均比其他植被区的风蚀土壤侵蚀指数大,为589.78,风蚀最为严重。黄土高原的土壤侵蚀表现出明显的地带性分异规律。     

Soil chemical properties and microbial biomass after 16 years of no-tillage farming on the Loess Plateau, China

Data from a 16-year field experiment conducted in Shanxi, on the Chinese Loess Plateau, were used to compare the long-term effects of no-tillage with straw cover (NTSC) and traditional tillage with straw removal (TTSR) in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) monoculture. Long-term no-tillage with straw cover increased SOM by 21.7% and TN by 51.0% at 0–10 cm depth and available P by 97.3% at 0–5 cm depth compared to traditional tillage. Soil microbial biomass C and N increased by 135.3% and 104.4% with NTSC compared to TTSR for 0–10 cm depth, respectively. Under NTSC, the metabolic quotient (CO₂ evolved per unit of MBC) decreased by 45.1% on average in the top 10 cm soil layer, which suggests that TTSR produced a microbial pool that was more metabolically active than under NTSC. Consequently, winter wheat yield was about 15.5% higher under NTSC than under TTSR. The data collected from our 16-year experiment show that NTSC is a more sustainable farming system which can improve soil chemical properties, microbial biomass and activity, and thus increase crop yield in the rainfed dryland farming areas of northern China. The soil processes responsible for the improved yields and soil quality, in particular soil organic matter, require further research.