SOC storage and potential of grasslands from 2000 to 2012 in central and eastern Inner Mongolia,China

Grassland ecosystem is an important component of the terrestrial carbon cycle system. Clear comprehension of soil organic carbon(SOC) storage and potential of grasslands is very important for the effective management of grassland ecosystems. Grasslands in Inner Mongolia have undergone evident impacts from human activities and natural factors in recent decades. To explore the changes of carbon sequestration capacity of grasslands from 2000 to 2012, we carried out studies on the estimation of SOC storage and potential of grasslands in central and eastern Inner Mongolia, China based on field investigations and MODIS image data. First, we calculated vegetation cover using the dimidiate pixel model based on MODIS-EVI images. Following field investigations of aboveground biomass and plant height, we used a grassland quality evaluation model to get the grassland evaluation index, which is typically used to represent grassland quality. Second, a correlation regression model was established between grassland evaluation index and SOC density. Finally, by this regression model, we calculated the SOC storage and potential of the studied grasslands. Results indicated that SOC storage increased with fluctuations in the study area, and the annual changes varied among different sub-regions. The SOC storage of grasslands in 2012 increased by 0.51×1012 kg C compared to that in 2000. The average carbon sequestration rate was 0.04×1012 kg C/a. The slope of the values of SOC storage showed that SOC storage exhibited an overall increase since 2000, particularly for the grasslands of Hulun Buir city and Xilin Gol League, where the typical grassland type was mainly distributed. Taking the SOC storage under the best grassland quality between 2000 and 2012 as a reference, this study predicted that the SOC potential of grasslands in central and eastern Inner Mongolia in 2012 is 1.38×1012 kg C. This study will contribute to researches on related methods and fundamental database, as well as provide a reference for the protection of grassland ecosystems and the formulation of local policies on sustainable grassland development.     

Revegetation with artificial plants improves topsoil hydrological properties but intensifies deep-soil drying in northern Loess Plateau,China

Knowledge about the effects of vegetation types on soil properties and on water dynamics in the soil profile is critical for revegetation strategies in water-scarce regions, especially the choice of vegetation type and human management measures. We focused on the analysis of the effects of vegetation type on soil hydrological properties and soil moisture variation in the 0–400 cm soil layer based on a long-term(2004―2016) experimental data in the northern Loess Plateau region, China. Soil bulk density(BD), saturated soil hydraulic conductivity(Ks), field capacity(FC) and soil organic carbon(SOC) in 2016, as well as the volumetric soil moisture content during 2004–2016, were measured in four vegetation types, i.e., shrubland(korshinsk peashrub), artificial grassland(alfalfa), fallow land and cropland(millet or potato). Compared with cropland, revegetation with peashrub and alfalfa significantly decreased BD and increased Ks, FC, and SOC in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and fallow land significantly increased FC and SOC in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil water storage(SWS) significantly declined in shrubland and grassland in the 40–400 cm soil layer, causing severe soil drought in the deep soil layers. The study suggested that converting cropland to grassland(alfalfa) and shrubland(peashrub) improved soil-hydrological properties, but worsened water conditions in the deep soil profile. However, natural restoration did not intensify deep-soil drying. The results imply that natural restoration could be better than revegetation with peashrub and alfalfa in terms of good soil hydrological processes in the semi-arid Loess Plateau region.     

Changes in soil properties and erodibility of gully heads induced by vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau,China

Soil erosion on the Loess Plateau of China is effectively controlled due to the implementation of several ecological restoration projects that improve soil properties and reduce soil erodibility. However, few studies have examined the effects of vegetation restoration on soil properties and erodibility of gully head in the gully regions of the Loess Plateau. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of vegetation restoration on soil properties and erodibility in this region. Specifically, a control site in a slope cropland and 9 sites in 3 restored land-use types(5 sites in grassland, 3 in woodland and 1 in shrubland) in the Nanxiaohegou watershed of a typical gully region on the Loess Plateau were selected, and soil and root samples were collected to assess soil properties and root characteristics. Soil erodibility factor was calculated by the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator method. Our results revealed that vegetation restoration increased soil sand content, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, organic matter content and mean weight diameter of water-stable aggregate but decreased soil silt and clay contents and soil disintegration rate. A significant difference in soil erodibility was observed among different vegetation restoration patterns or land-use types. Compared with cropland, soil erodibility decreased in the restored lands by 3.99% to 21.43%. The restoration patterns of Cleistogenes caespitosa K. and Artemisia sacrorum L. in the grassland showed the lowest soil erodibility and can be considered as the optimal vegetation restoration pattern for improving soil anti-erodibility of the gully heads. Additionally, the negative linear change in soil erodibility for grassland with restoration time was faster than those of woodland and shrubland. Soil erodibility was significantly correlated with soil particle size distribution, soil disintegration rate, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, water-stable aggregate stability, organic matter content and root characteristics(including root average diameter, root length density, root surface density and root biomass density), but it showed no association with soil bulk density and soil total porosity. These findings indicate that although vegetation destruction is a short-term process, returning the soil erodibility of cropland to the level of grassland, woodland and shrubland is a long-term process(8–50 years).     

Fractal features of soil profiles under different land use patterns on the Loess Plateau,China

Fractal theory is becoming an increasingly useful tool to describe soil structure dynamics for a better understanding of the performance of soil systems. Changes in land use patterns significantly affect soil physical, chemical and biological properties. However, limited information is available on the fractal characteristics of deep soil layers under different land use patterns. In this study, the fractal dimensions of particle size distribution(PSD) and micro-aggregates in the 0–500 cm soil profile and soil anti-erodibility in the 0–10 cm soil profile for 10 typical land use patterns were investigated in the Zhifanggou Watershed on the Loess Plateau, China. The 10 typical land use patterns were: slope cropland, two terraced croplands, check-dam cropland, woodland, two shrublands, orchard, artificial and natural grasslands. The results showed that the fractal dimensions of PSD and micro-aggregates were all significantly influenced by soil depths, land use patterns and their interaction. The plantations of shrubland, woodland and natural grassland increased the amount of larger micro-aggregates, and decreased the fractal dimensions of micro-aggregates in the 0–40 cm soil profile. And they also improved the aggregate state and aggregate degree and decreased dispersion rate in the 0–10 cm soil profile. The results indicated that fractal theory can be used to characterize soil structure under different land use patterns and fractal dimensions of micro-aggregates were more effective in this regard. The natural grassland may be the best choice for improving soil structure in the study area.     

Impact of land use/cover changes on carbon storage in a river valley in arid areas of Northwest China

Soil carbon pools could become a CO_2 source or sink, depending on the directions of land use/cover changes. A slight change of soil carbon will inevitably affect the atmospheric CO_2 concentration and consequently the climate. Based on the data from 127 soil sample sites, 48 vegetation survey plots, and Landsat TM images, we analyzed the land use/cover changes, estimated soil organic carbon(SOC) storage and vegetation carbon storage of grassland, and discussed the impact of grassland changes on carbon storage during 2000 to 2013 in the Ili River Valley of Northwest China. The results indicate that the areal extents of forestland, shrubland, moderate-coverage grassland(MCG), and the waterbody(including glaciers) decreased while the areal extents of high-coverage grassland(HCG),low-coverage grassland(LCG), residential and industrial land, and cultivated land increased. The grassland SOC density in 0–100 cm depth varied with the coverage in a descending order of HCGMCGLCG.The regional grassland SOC storage in the depth of 0–100 cm in 2013 increased by 0.25×1011 kg compared with that in 2000. The regional vegetation carbon storage(S_(rvc)) of grassland was 5.27×10~9 kg in2013 and decreased by 15.7% compared to that in 2000. The vegetation carbon reserves of the under-ground parts of vegetation(S_(ruvb)) in 2013 was 0.68×10~9 kg and increased by approximately 19.01%compared to that in 2000. This research can improve our understanding about the impact of land use/cover changes on the carbon storage in arid areas of Northwest China.     

Spatial pattern of soil organic carbon in desert grasslands of the diluvial-alluvial plains of northern Qilian Mountains

The soil properties in arid ecosystems are important determinants of vegetation distribution patterns.Soil organic carbon(SOC)content,which is closely related to soil types and the holding capacities of soil water and nutrients,exhibits complex variability in arid desert grasslands;thus,it is essentially an impact factor for the distribution pattern of desert grasslands.In the present study,an investigation was conducted to estimate the spatial pattern of SOC content in desert grasslands and the association with environmental factors in the diluvial-alluvial plains of northern Qilian Mountains.The results showed that the mean values of SOC ranged from 2.76 to 5.80 g/kg in the soil profiles,and decreased with soil depths.The coefficients of variation(CV)of the SOC were high(ranging from 48.83%to 94.67%),which indicated a strong spatial variability.SOC in the desert grasslands of the study region presented a regular spatial distribution,which increased gradually from the northwest to the southeast.The SOC distribution had a pattern linked to elevation,which may be related to the gradient of climate conditions.Soil type and plant community significantly affected the SOC.The SOC had a significant positive relationship with soil moisture(P<0.05);whereas,it had a more significant negative relationship with the soil bulk density(BD)(P<0.01).However,a number of the variations in the SOC could be explained not by the environmental factors involved in this analysis,but rather other factors(such as grazing activity and landscape).The results provide important references for soil carbon storage estimation in this study region.In addition,the SOC association with environmental variables also provides a basis for a sustainable use of the limited grassland resources in the diluvial-alluvial plains of northern Qilian Mountains.     

Community structure and carbon and nitrogen storage of sagebrush desert under grazing exclusion in Northwest China

Overgrazing is regarded as one of the key factors of vegetation and soil degradation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China.Grazing exclusion(GE)is one of the most common pathways used to restore degraded grasslands and to improve their ecosystem services.Nevertheless,there are still significant controversies concerning GE’s effects on grassland diversity as well as carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)storage.It remains poorly understood in the arid desert regions,whilst being essential for the sustainable use of grassland resources.To assess the effects of GE on community characteristics and C and N storage of desert plant community in the arid desert regions,we investigated the community structure and plant biomass,as well as C and N storage of plants and soil(0-100 cm depth)in short-term GE(three years)plots and adjacent long-term freely grazing(FG)plots in the areas of sagebrush desert in Northwest China,which are important both for spring-autumn seasonal pasture and for ecological conservation.Our findings indicated that GE was beneficial to the average height,coverage and aboveground biomass(including stems,leaves and inflorescences,and litter)of desert plant community,to the species richness and importance values of subshrubs and perennial herbs,and to the biomass C and N storage of aboveground parts(P<0.05).However,GE was not beneficial to the importance values of annual herbs,root/shoot ratio and total N concentration in the 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil layers(P<0.05).Additionally,the plant density,belowground biomass,and soil organic C concentration and C storage in the 0-100 cm soil layer could not be significantly changed by short-term GE(three years).The results suggest that,although GE was not beneficial for C sequestration in the sagebrush desert ecosystem,it is an effective strategy for improving productivity,diversity,and C and N storage of plants.As a result,GE can be used to rehabilitate degraded grasslands in the arid desert regions of Northwest China.     

Artificial root exudates and soil organic carbon mineralization in a degraded sandy grassland in northern China

Plant root exudates contain various organic and inorganic components that include glucose, citric and oxalic acid. These components affect rhizosphere microbial and microfaunal activities, but the mechanisms are not fully known. Studies concerned from degraded grassland ecosystems with low soil carbon（C） contents are rare, in spite of the global distribution of grasslands in need of restoration. All these have a high potential for carbon sequestration, with a reduced carbon content due to overutilization. An exudate component that rapidly decomposes will increase soil respiration and CO2 emission, while a component that reduces decomposition of native soil carbon can reduce CO2 emission and actually help sequestering carbon in soil. Therefore, to investigate root exudate effects on rhizosphere activity, citric acid, glucose and oxalic acid（0.6 g C/kg dry soil） were added to soils from three biotopes（grassland, fixed dune and mobile dune） located in Naiman, Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China） and subjected to a 24-day incubation experiment together with a control. The soils were also analyzed for general soil properties. The results show that total respiration without exudate addition was highest in grassland soil, intermediate in fixed dune and lowest in mobile dune soil. However, the proportion of native soil carbon mineralized was highest in mobile dune soil, reflecting the low C/N ratio found there. The exudate effects on CO2-C emissions and other variables differed somewhat between biotopes, but total respiration（including that from the added substrates） was significantly increased in all combinations compared with the control, except for oxalic acid addition to mobile dune soil, which reduced CO2-C emissions from native soil carbon. A small but statistically significant increase in pH by the exudate additions in grassland and fixed dune soil was observed, but there was a major decrease from acid additions to mobile dune soil. In contrast, electrical conductivity decreased in grassland     

Soil properties and herbaceous characteristics in an age sequence of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in an oasis-desert ecotone of northwestern China

Haloxylon ammodendron,a typical desert shrub with C4 pathway of photosynthesis,possessing a strong ability to adapt to an extreme drought environment,has a rapid growth rate in sandy lands and is widely used in sand-fixing shelter-forest systems in oasis-desert ecotones.To assess the effects of H.ammodendron plantation on the soil,we measured soil properties and herbaceous characteristics along a nearly 40-year chronosequence after H.ammodendron was planted in shifting sand dunes in an oasis-desert ecotone.Results showed that silt and clay fractions increased significantly in the topsoil.The accumulation rates of soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) were faster in the early stages(0–9 years) and slower in the late stages(9–39 years).The soil p H and electrical conductivity(EC) were higher than those in the non-vegetation dunes.Moreover,the soil properties in the topsoil(0–5 cm) showed larger variation scope than those in the deeper soil layers(5–20 cm).The significant relationships of the soil silt+clay content with the chemical properties mainly appeared in the topsoil.The wind erosion susceptibility of the soil,evaluated by erodible fraction(EF),decreased significantly with increasing H.ammodendron plantation age.Additionally,the annual pioneer herb,Agriophyllum squarrosum,was gradually substituted by the annual salt-tolerant herb,Bassia dasyphylla,with increasing plantation age.These results showed beneficial effects of H.ammodendron plantation on improving soil conditions.However,the dynamics of the herbaceous species also reminded us that the longterm effects of H.ammodendron plantation,especially on changes in vegetation composition,still need further evaluation.     

Effects of land-use types on the vertical distribution of fractions of oxidizable organic carbon on the Loess Plateau,China

The oxidizability of soil organic carbon(SOC_) influences soil quality and carbon sequestration. Four fractions of oxidizable organic carbon(very labile(C_1), labile(C_2), less labile(C_3) and non-labile(C_4)) reflect the status and composition of SOC_ and have implications for the change and retention of SOC_. Studies of the fractions of oxidizable organic carbon(OC_) have been limited to shallow soil depths and agroecosystems. How these fractions respond at deep soil depths and in other types of land-use is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the vertical distributions of the fractions of oxidizable organic carbon to a soil depth of 5.0 m in 10 land-use types in the Zhifanggou Watershed on the Loess Plateau, C_hina. Along the soil profile, C_1 contents were highly variable in the natural grassland and shrubland I(C_aragana microphylla), C_2 and C_4 contents were highly variable in the natural grassland and two terraced croplands, respectively, and C_3 contents varied little. Among the land-use types, natural grassland had the highest C__1 and C_2 contents in the 0–0.4 m layers, followed by shrubland I in the 0–0.1 m layer. Natural grassland had the highest C_4 contents in the 1.0–4.5 m layers. Natural grassland and shrubland I thus contributed to improve the oxidizability of SOC_ in shallow soil, and the deep soil of natural grassland has a large potential to sequester SOC_ on the Loess Plateau.     

土地利用方式对东祁连山土壤表层有机碳的影响

在祁连山东段高寒地区,选取天然草地、退耕自然恢复地、坡耕地和人工草地4种土地利用方式,研究了土地利用方式对土壤表层有机碳含量和有机碳密度的影响.结果表明:在4种土地利用方式中天然草地土壤表层有机碳含量最高,坡耕地和退耕自然恢复地土壤表层有机碳含量较低;土壤表层有机碳密度整体上随着土层加深而逐渐降低,在0～30cm土层土...     

Accumulation of soil organic carbon during natural restoration of desertified grassland in China’s Horqin Sandy Land

China's Horqin Sandy Land,a formerly lush grassland,has experienced extensive desertification that caused considerable carbon(C) losses from the plant-soil system.Natural restoration through grazing exclusion is a widely suggested option to sequester C and to restore degraded land.In a desertified grassland,we investigated the C accumulation in the total and light fractions of the soil organic matter from 2005 to 2013 during natural restoration.To a depth of 20 cm,the light fraction organic carbon(LFOC) storage increased by 221 g C/m2(84%) and the total soil organic carbon(SOC) storage increased by 435 g C/m2(55%).The light fraction dry matter content represented a small proportion of the total soil mass(ranging from 0.74% in 2005 to 1.39% in 2013),but the proportion of total SOC storage accounted for by LFOC was remarkable(ranging from 33% to 40%).The C sequestration averaged 28 g C/(m2·a) for LFOC and 54 g C/(m2·a) for total SOC.The total SOC was strongly and significantly positively linearly related to the light fraction dry matter content and the proportions of fine sand and silt+clay.The light fraction organic matter played a major role in total SOC sequestration.Our results suggest that grazing exclusion can restore desertified grassland and has a high potential for sequestering SOC in the semiarid Horqin Sandy Land.     

我国三种种植制度下农田土壤有机碳、氮关系的演变特征

对34个国家级耕地质量监测点20余年连续监测数据进行了统计分析,旨在探讨常规施肥下我国旱作、水旱轮作和稻田系统土壤碳、氮关系的演变特征.结果表明,1985～2006年.我国常规施肥方式下旱地、水旱轮作和稻田系统表层土壤有机碳和全氮均显著增加,三种种植制度下土壤C/N演变存在一定差异.土壤C/N均值从1985～1990年...     

Characteristics of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen under various grassland types along a transect in a mountain-basin system in Xinjiang,China

Soil organic carbon(SOC) and soil total nitrogen(STN) in arid regions are important components of global C and the N cycles, and their response to climate change will have important implications for both ecosystem processes and global climate feedbacks. Grassland ecosystems of Funyun County in the southern foot of the Altay Mountains are characterized by complex topography, suggesting large variability in the spatial distribution of SOC and STN. However, there has been little investigation of SOC and STN on grasslands in arid regions with a mountain-basin structure. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics of SOC and STN in different grassland types in a mountain-basin system at the southern foot of the Altai Mountains, north of the Junggar Basin in China, and explored their potential influencing factors and relationships with meteorological factors and soil properties. We found that the concentrations and storages of SOC and STN varied significantly with grassland type, and showed a decreasing trend along a decreasing elevation gradient in alpine meadow, mountain meadow, temperate typical steppe, temperate steppe desert, and temperate steppe desert. In addition, the SOC and STN concentrations decreased with depth, except in the temperate desert steppe. According to Pearson's correlation values and redundancy analysis, the mean annual precipitation, soil moisture content and soil available N concentration were significantly positively correlated with the SOC and STN concentrations. In contrast, the mean annual temperature, p H, and soil bulk density were significantly and negatively correlated with the SOC and STN concentrations. The mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature were the primary factors related to the SOC and STN concentrations. The distributions of the SOC and STN concentrations were highly regulated by the elevation-induced differences in meteorological factors. Mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature together explained 97.85% and 98.38% of the overall variations in the SOC and STN concentrations, respectively, at soil depth of 0–40 cm, with precipitation making the greatest contribution. Our results provide a basis for estimating and predicting SOC and STN concentrations in grasslands in arid regions with a mountain-basin structure.     

Conventional tillage improves the storage of soil organic carbon in heavy fractions in the Loess Plateau,China

Soil labile organic carbon(C) plays an important role in improving soil quality. The relatively stable fractions of soil organic C(SOC) represent the bulk of SOC, and are also the primary determinant of the long-term C balance of terrestrial ecosystems. Different land use types can influence the distribution patterns of different SOC fractions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, different fractions of SOC were determined in two land use types: a grazed grassland(established on previously cultivated cropland 25 years ago, GG) and a long-term cultivated millet cropland(MC). The results showed that C concentration and C storage of light fractions(LF) and heavy fractions(HF) presented different patterns along the soil profiles in the two sites. More plant residues in GG resulted in 91.9% higher LF storage at the 0–10 cm soil depth, further contributed to 21.9% higher SOC storage at this soil depth; SOC storage at 20–60 cm soil depth in MC was 98.8% higher than that in GG, which could be mainly attributed to the HF storage 104.5% higher than in GG. This might be caused by the long-term application of organic manure, as well as the protection from plough pan and silt- and clay-sized particles. The study indicated that different soil management practices in this region can greatly influence the variations of different SOC fractions, while the conventional tillage can greatly improve the storage of SOC by increasing heavy fractions.     

Land cover changes and the effects of cultivation on soil properties in Shelihu wetland,Horqin Sandy Land,Northern China

Land cover change plays an essential role in the alternation of soils properties.By field investigation and applying satellite images,land cover information in the Shelihu wetland was carried out in an area of 2,819 hm 2 in 1985,1995,2000,2005,2010 and 2011,respectively,in Horqin Sandy Land.A total of 57 soil sampling sites across Shelihu were chosen in wet meadow(CL0),cropland(CL) and sandy land(SL) according to the spatial characteristics of water body change.Soil texture,organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) contents,electrical conductivity(EC) and pH were measured at the soil depths of 0-10,10-20 and 20-40 cm to examine the influence of agricultural conversion and continuous cultivation on soil properties.The results showed that the study area was covered by water body in 1985,which gradually declined afterwards and then reclaimed rapidly at a mean annual rate of 132.1 hm 2 /a from wet meadow to cropland since 1995.In 2011,water body was drained and the area was occupied by 10.8% of CL0,76.9% of CL and 12.3% of SL.Large amounts of SOC,TN and TP were accumulated in the above depths in CL0.Soil in CL0 also had higher EC and silt and clay fractions,lower pH than in SL and CL.Soil in SL was seriously degraded with lower contents of SOC,TN and TP than in CL and CL0.SOC,TN content and EC in CL decreased with the increase of cultivation age,while pH showed a reverse trend with significance at plough horizon.The agricultural conversion in Shelihu was driven by the comprehensive factors of precipitation reduction,economic development and intense competitions for irrigation water.Continuous cultivation in this process is not sustainable because of SOC degradation and nutrient content reduction.The key point is that conventional tillage and removal of residuals induced further land degradation.Wetland reclamation for immediate economic interests led to greater costs in the long-term environmental restoration in Horqin Sandy Land.     

氮添加对天山高寒草原土壤酶活性和酶化学计量特征的影响

为探究氮添加对高寒草原生态系统土壤酶活性的影响,于2018年在中国科学院巴音布鲁克草原生态系统研究站,选择4个氮添加水平(对照,N0,0 kg·hm^-2·a^-1;低氮,N1,10 kg·hm^-2·a^-1;中氮,N3,30 kg·hm^-2·a^-1;高氮,N9,90 kg·hm^-2·a^-1),开展土壤酶活性对氮添加响应的研究,分析土壤酶活性对氮添加的响应特点,土壤酶化学计量比以及土壤酶活性与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明:与对照相比,氮添加在N3水平显著增加β-1,4葡萄糖苷酶(βG)、β-D-纤维二糖水解酶(CBH)和β-1,4木糖苷酶(βX)酶活性(P<0.05),N1和N3水平显著增加碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性(P<0.05),N3水平显著降低多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性(P<0.05),氮添加对亮氨酸氨基肽酶(LAP)活性影响不显著,N3水平下显著增加N-乙酰-β-D氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)活性(P<0.05)。相关分析表明,8种土壤酶活性均与土壤有机碳(SOC、NAG除外)和总磷(TP)显著相关,与土壤总氮(TN)不相关。研究区土壤酶活性C∶N∶P化学计量比为1∶1∶1.2,与全球生态系统的土壤酶活性C∶N∶P的比值1∶1∶1相偏离,表明该研究区土壤微生物生长受磷素限制。冗余分析(RDA)进一步揭示出土壤有机碳和土壤全磷含量是影响土壤酶活性的主要因子。