Priming effect and its regulating factors for fast and slow soil organic carbon pools: A meta-analysis

The priming effect (PE) plays a critical role in the control of soil carbon (C) cycling and influences the alteration of soil organic C (SOC) decomposition by fresh C input.However,drivers of PE for the fast and slow SOC pools remain unclear because of the varying results from individual studies.Using meta-analysis in combination with boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis,we evaluated the relative contribution of multiple drivers of PE with substrate and their patterns across each driver gradient.The results showed that the variability of PE was larger for the fast SOC pool than for the slow SOC pool.Based on the BRT analysis,67%and 34%of the variation in PE were explained for the fast and slow SOC pools,respectively.There were seven determinants of PE for the fast SOC pool,with soil total nitrogen (N) content being the most important,followed by,in a descending order,substrate C:N ratio,soil moisture,soil clay content,soil pH,substrate addition rate,and SOC content.The directions of PE were negative when soil total N content and substrate C:N ratio were below 2 g kg~(-1)and 20,respectively,but the directions changed from negative to positive with increasing levels of this two factors.Soils with optimal water content (50%–70%of the water-holding capacity) or moderately low pH (5–6) were prone to producing a greater PE.For the slow SOC pool,soil p H and soil total N content substantially explained the variation in PE.The magnitude of PE was likely to decrease with increasing soil pH for the slow SOC pool.In addition,the magnitude of PE slightly fluctuated with soil N content for the slow SOC pool.Overall,this meta-analysis provided new insights into the distinctive PEs for different SOC pools and indicated knowledge gaps between PE and its regulating factors for the slow SOC pool.     

Environmental risks for application of iron and steel slags in soils in China: A review

Iron and steel slags are smelting wastes, mainly including blast furnace slag(BFS) and steel slag(SS) produced in the iron and steel industry. Utilization of iron and steel slags as resources for solving the problem of slag disposals has attracted much attention with increasing iron and steel smelting slags in China. Because the iron and steel slags contain calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), phosphorus(P), and silicon(Si), some have tried to use them as Si-and P-fertilizers, for producing Ca-Mg-P fertilizers, or as soil amendments in agriculture. However, in the iron metallurgical process, several pollutants in iron ores can inevitably transfer into iron and steel slags, resulting in the enrichment of pollutants both in BFS(mainly nickel(Ni), copper(Cu), mercury, zinc(Zn),cadmium(Cd), chromium(Cr), arsenic, lead, selenium, fluorine(F), and chlorine(Cl)) and in SS(mainly Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, F, and Cl), in which some of pollutants(especially Cr, Ni, F, and Cl) exceed the limits of environmental quality standards for soils and groundwater. The elements of manganese, barium,and vanadium in iron and steel slags are higher than the background values of soil environment. In order to ensure soil health, food safety, and environmental quality, it is suggested that those industrial solid wastes, such as iron and steel slags, without any pretreatment for reducing harmful pollutants and with environmental safety risk, should not be allowed to use for soil remediation or conditioning directly in farmlands by solid waste disposal methods, to prevent pollutants from entering food chain and harming human health.     

A review of cadmium sorption mechanisms on soil mineral surfaces revealed from synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy: Implications for soil remediation

The sorption of cadmium(Cd) is one of the most important chemical processes in soil, affecting its fate and mobility in both soil and water and ultimately controlling its bioavailability. In order to fundamentally understand the sorption/desorption of Cd in soil systems, X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy(XAFS) has been applied in numerous studies to provide molecular-level information that can be used to characterize the surface adsorption and precipitation reactions that Cd can undergo. This information greatly improves our current knowledge of the possible chemical reactions of Cd in soil. This paper critically reviews the mechanisms of Cd sorption/desorption at the mineral-water interface based on XAFS studies performed over the past twenty years. An introduction to the basic concepts of sorption processes is provided, followed by a detailed interpretation of XAFS theory and experimental data collection and processing,ending finally with a discussion of the atomic/molecular-scale Cd sorption mechanisms that occur at the soil mineral-water interface. Particular emphasis is placed on literature that discusses Cd adsorption and speciation when associated with iron, manganese, and aluminum oxides and aluminosilicate minerals.Multiple sorption mechanisms by which Cd is sorbed by these minerals have been found, spanning from outer-sphere to inner-sphere to surface precipitation,depending on mineral type, surface loading, and pH. In addition, the application of complementary techniques(e.g.,113 Cd nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and molecular dynamics simulation) for probing Cd sorption mechanisms is discussed. This review can help to develop appropriate strategies for the environmental remediation of Cd-contaminated soils.     

大宁党参高产栽培技术

党参因产地及加工方法不同,有不同的商品名。巫溪称"大宁党"、巫山称"巫山党"、"单支党"、"条党"、"庙党",奉节称"条党"。巫溪所产党参是川党参(C.tangshen Oliv.)中的一种,即"大宁党",其名称来源于产地命名(巫溪县在明国时期为大宁县),在植物学分类上为"条党",即产于重庆、湖北、陕西交界处的党参,其形状多条状,故名"条党"。     

Human and ecological risks of metals in soils under different land-use types in an urban environment of Bangladesh

Trace metal contamination in soil is of great concern owing to its long persistence in the environment and toxicity to humans and other organisms.Concentrations of six potentially toxic trace metals,Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Cd,and Pb,in urban soils were measured in Dhaka City,Bangladesh.Soils from different land-use types,namely,agricultural field,park,playground,petrol station,metal workshop,brick field,burning sites,disposal sites of household waste,garment waste,electronic waste,and tannery wast,and construction waste demolishing sites,were investigated.The concentration ranges of Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Pb,and Cd in soils were 2.4–1258,8.3–1044,9.7–823,8.7–277,1.8–80,and 13–842 mg kg^-1,respectively.The concentrations of metals were subsequently used to establish hazard quotients(HQs)for the adult population.The metal HQs decreased in the order of As>Cr>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cu.Ingestion was the most vital exposure pathway of studied metals from soils followed by dermal contact and inhalation.The range of pollution load index(PLI)was 0.96–17,indicating severe contamination of soil by trace metals.Considering the comprehensive potential ecological risk(PER),soils from all land-use types showed considerable to very high ecological risks.The findings of this study revealed that in the urban area studied,soils of some land-use types were severely contaminated with trace metals.Thus,it is suggested that more attention should be paid to the potential health risks to the local inhabitants and ecological risk to the surrounding ecosystems.     

Importance of hydrogenotrophic, aceticlastic and methylotrophic methanogenesis for methane production in terrestrial, aquatic and other anoxic environments: A mini review

Microbial methanogenesis is a major source of the greenhouse gas methane(CH4).It is the final step in the anaerobic degradation of organic matter when inorganic electron acceptors such as nitrate,ferric iron,or sulfate have been depleted.Knowledge of this degradation pathway is important for the creation of mechanistic models,prediction of future CH4 emission scenarios,and development of mitigation strategies.In most anoxic environments,CH4 is produced from either acetate(aceticlastic methanogenesis)or hydrogen(H2)plus carbon dioxide(CO2)(hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis).Hydrogen can be replaced by other CO2-type methanogenesis,using formate,carbon monoxide(CO),or alcohols as substrates.The ratio of these two pathways is tightly constrained by the stoichiometry of conversion processes.If the degradation of organic matter is complete(e.g.,degradation of straw in rice paddies),then fermentation eventually results in production of acetate and H2 at a ratio of>67%aceticlastic and<33%hydrogenotrophic methanogensis.However,acetate production can be favored when heterotrophic or chemolithotrophic acetogenesis is enhanced,and H2 production can be favored when syntrophic acetate oxidation is enhanced.This typically occurs at low and elevated temperatures,respectively.Thus,temperature can strongly influence the methanogenic pathway,which may range from 100%aceticlastic methanogenesis at low temperatures to 100%hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis at high temperatures.However,if the degradation of organic matter is not complete(e.g.,degradation of soil organic matter),the stoichiometry of fermentation is not tightly constrained,resulting,for example,in the preferential production of H2,followed by hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.Preferential production of CH4 by either aceticlastic or hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis can also happen if one of the methanogenic substrates is not consumed by methanogens but is,instead,accumulated,volatilized,or utilized otherwise.Methylotrophic methanogens,which can use methanol as a substrate,are widespread,but it is unlikely that methanol is produced in similar quantities as acetate,CO2,and H2.Methylotrophic methanogenesis is important in saline environments,where compatible solutes are degraded to methyl compounds(trimethyl amine and dimethyl sulfide)and then serve as non-competitive substrates,while acetate and hydrogen are degraded by non-methanogenic processes,e.g.,sulfate reduction.     

Combined application of a straw layer and flue gas desulphurization gypsum to reduce soil salinity and alkalinity

Burying a straw layer and applying flue gas desulphurization(FGD)gypsum are effective practices to ameliorate soil salinization or alkalization and to increase crop yield;however,little information exists on the effects of such integration in saline-alkali soils.A soil column experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a straw layer plus FGD gypsum on soil salinity and alkalinity.We placed a straw layer(5 cm thick)at a depth of 30 cm and mixed FGD gypsum into the 0–20 cm soil layer at application rates of 7.5,15.0,22.5,and 30.0 t ha^-1,with no straw layer and FGD gypsum as a control(CK).The soil water content in the 0–30 cm soil layer was significantly higher(>7.8%)in the treated soil profiles after infiltration than in the CK,but decreased after evaporation.The electrical conductivity(EC)of the 10–30 cm soil layer was 230.2%and 104.9%higher in the treated soil profiles than in the CK after infiltration and evaporation,respectively,and increased with increasing rates of FGD gypsum application,with Ca^2+and SO4^2-being the main dissolved salts.Compared to those in the CK,the concentrations of Na^+,Cl^-,and HCO3-decreased in the treated soil profiles at depths above 55 cm,but the other soluble ions increased,after infiltration.A similar trend occurred after evaporation for all soluble ions except for HCO3-.The p H and exchangeable sodium percentage in the treated soil profiles were significantly lower than those in the CK over the entire profile,and decreased with increasing FGD gypsum application rates.Therefore,the incorporation of a straw layer plus FGD gypsum can reduce salinity and alkalinity,but the quantity of FGD gypsum should be controlled in saline-alkali soils.     

Optimizing the use of open chambers to measure ammonia volatilization in field plots amended with urea

Measuring ammonia(NH₃)volatilization from urea-fertilized soils is crucial for evaluation of practices that reduce gaseous nitrogen(N)losses in agriculture.The small area of chambers used for NH₃volatilization measurements compared with the size of field plots may cause significant errors if inadequate sampling strategies are adopted.Our aims were:i)to investigate the effect of using multiple open chambers on the variability in the measurement of NH₃volatilization in urea-amended field plots and ii)to define the critical period of NH₃-N losses during which the concentration of sampling effort is capable of reducing uncertainty.The use of only one chamber covering 0.015%of the plot(51.84 m²)generates a value of NH₃-N loss within an expected margin of error of 30%around the true mean.To reduce the error margin by half(15%),3–7 chambers were required with a mean of 5 chambers per plot.Concentrating the sampling efforts in the first two weeks after urea application,which is usually the most critical period of N losses and associated errors,represents an efficient strategy to lessen uncertainty in the measurements of NH₃volatilization.This strategy enhances the power of detection of NH₃-N loss abatement in field experiments using chambers.     

Distribution of 137Cs and 60Co in plough layer of farmland: Evidenced from a lysimeter experiment using undisturbed soil columns

Radionuclide fallout during nuclear accidents on the land may impair the atmosphere, contaminate farmland soils and crops, and can even reach the groundwater. Previous research focused on the field distribution of deposited radionuclides in farmland soils, but details of the amounts of radionuclides in the plough layer and the changes in their proportional distribution in the soil profile with time are still inadequate. In this study, a lysimeter experiment was conducted to determine the vertical migration of 137Cs and 60Co in brown and aeolian sandy soils, collected from the farmlands adjoining Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant(NPP) in eastern China, and to identify the factors influencing their migration depths in soil. At the end of the experiment(800 d), >96% of added 137Cs and 60Co were retained in the top 0–20 cm soil layer of both soils;very little 137Cs or 60Co initially migrated to 20–30 cm, but their amounts at this depth increased with time. The migration depth of 137Cs was greater in the aeolian sandy soil than in the brown soil during 0–577 d, but at the end of the experiment, 137Cs migrated to the same depth(25 cm) in both soils. Three phases on the vertical migration rate(v) of 60Co in the aeolian sandy soil can be identified: an initial rapid movement(0–355 d, v = 219 ± 17 mm year-1), followed by a steady movement(355–577 d, v = 150 ± 24 mm year-1) and a very slow movement(577–800 d, v = 107 ± 7 mm year-1). In contrast, its migration rate in the brown soil(v = 133 ± 17 mm year-1) was steady throughout the 800-d experimental period. The migration of both 137Cs and 60Co in the two soils appears to be regulated by soil clay and silt fractions that provide most of the soil surface area, soil organic carbon(SOC), and soil pH, which were manifested by the solid-liquid distribution coefficient of 137Cs and 60Co. The results of this study suggest that most 137Cs and 60Co remained within the top layer(0–20 cm depth) of farmland soils following a simulated NPP accident, and little reached the subsurface(20–30 cm depth). Fixation of radionuclides onto clay minerals may limit their migration in soil, but some could be laterally distributed by soil erosion and taken up by crops, and migrate into groundwater in a high water table level area after several decades.Remediation measures, therefore, should focus on reducing their impact on the farmland soils, crops, and water.     

青花菜品种在南亚热带地区的适宜性研究

青花菜又称绿叶菜,原产于地中海沿岸,其特点是营养价值高,含有多种矿物质等营养,位居同类蔬菜之首。由于青花菜生育期短,耐寒性强,主要产区在北方,在南方只有冷凉地区有少量栽培,而贵州属典型的南亚热气候类型,特别是在罗甸地区,秋季作物收获后,冬季只种植一些白菜类蔬菜。而营养价值高的青花菜,     

Soil Erodibility and Physicochemical Properties of Collapsing Gully Alluvial Fans in Southern China

In southern China, collapsing gully erosion produces massive deposits of sediment on the plough layer of alluvial fan farmland, leading to reduced nutrients, increased erodibility, and even desertification. The aim of this study was to investigate soil erodibility (the factor K in the universal Soil Loss Equation, USLE) and physicochemical properties of the alluvial fans of the most severe collapsing gully erosion areas (Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces) in southern China. The soils of the collapsing gully alluvial fans had a higher bulk density, but a lower total porosity, saturated water content, and silt and clay fractions than the control (CK) soils from the farmland without desertification. Soil quality gradually decreased from fan edge to fanhead. Significant decreases were found in soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and total potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, resulting in a gradual decrease in soil nutrients from the fanedge to the fanhead. Soil erodibility was greatest in the fanhead, and soil erodibility K values of the alluvial fans were 53.71%, 66.28%, 67.53%, and 71.68 % greater than that in those of the CK soils of Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong, respectively, indicating a significant correlation between the soil erodibility K values and physicochemical properties, particularly sand fraction and organic matter content. The results provide new insights into the relationship between soil physicochemical properties and erodibility of alluvial fans, and suggest that improving soil structure might increase soil fertility in the collapsing gully alluvial fan farmland.     

Relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and changes in soil gas diffusivity in a field experiment with biochar and lime

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from arable soil while maintaining productivity is a major challenge for agriculture. Biochar is known to reduce N₂O emissions from soil, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study examined the impact of green waste biochar (20 Mg ha^?1) and lime (CaCO₃; 2 Mg ha^?1) application on soil gas transport properties and related changes in these to soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions measured using automated chambers in a field experiment cropped with maize. In situ soil water content monitoring was combined with laboratory measurements of relative soil gas diffusion coefficient (D_p/D₀) at different matric potentials, to determine changes in D_p/D₀ over time. Cumulative N₂O emissions were similar in the control and lime treatment, but much lower in the biochar treatment. Cumulative CO₂ emissions decreased in the order: lime treatment > biochar treatment > control soil. When N₂O emissions were not driven by excess N supply shortly after fertilisation, they were associated with D_p/D₀ changes, whereby decreases in D_p/D₀ corresponded to N₂O emissions peaks. No distinct pattern was observed between CO₂ emissions and D_p/D₀. Cumulative N₂O emissions were positively related to number of days with D_p/D₀ < 0.02, a critical limit for soil aeration. These results indicate that improved soil gas diffusivity, and hence improved soil aeration, may explain the effect of biochar in reducing N₂O emissions. They also suggest that knowledge of D_p/D₀ changes may be key to explaining N₂O emissions.     

设施栽培下原状土与扰动土水分特性的试验研究

以四川省双流县设施栽培土壤为研究对象,对其原状土与扰动土的土壤水分特征曲线、水分物理性质和比水容量等项目进行了研究。结果表明,扰动土水分特征曲线总体变化趋势与原状土较为一致。在低吸力阶段,相同吸力条件下扰动土含水量高于原状土,在高吸力阶段两者差异较小。扰动土毛管孔隙度、总孔度和凋萎含水量在剖面上的总体变化趋势与原状土较为一致。扰动土不同土层田间持水量和有效水含量差异较小,原状土的田间持水量和有效水含量均随土层加深而减少。在低吸力阶段,相同吸力条件下扰动土比水容量远高于原状土,但随土壤水吸力增加,扰动土比水容量变化趋势逐渐与原状土一致。     

Soil testing in the united states

Abstract

There has been a marked change in the soil testing procedures used in the United States by state soil testing laboratories since the early 1950's. In the Coastal Plain states of the south and east, the Double Acid extraction procedure is used for P, K, Ca, and Mg determinations. Bray P₁ is the most frequently used method for P extraction except for the alkaline soils of the west where the Olsen method is used. Neutral normal ammonium acetate is the most frequently used extractant for K, Ca, and Mg determinations. The Morgan extraction procedures for P, K, Ca, and Mg, commonly used in the 1950's, is used by only a few states in the northeast and west. Although similar extraction reagents are used in many sections of the United States, there is considerable variance among states regarding weighed versus volume sampling, soil to solution ratio, shaking speed and time, and extraction vessel size and shape. For soil water pH, there is little variance in method as most states are using a 1:1 soil to solution ratio. The only exception is in several western states where water pH's are read in a saturated soil paste.

Considerable efforts are underway to standardize the techniques used to test soils primarily for the extractable elements.     

土壤可蚀性研究现状及展望

<正> 土壤可蚀性(soil erodibility)是指土壤是否易受侵蚀破坏的性能,也就是土壤对侵蚀介质剥蚀和搬运的敏感性。与侵蚀营力一样,土壤可蚀性是影响土壤侵蚀量大小的又一个重要因子。在水土保持学科中,我国习惯上把“水”和“土”并列使用,而国际上则用“soil loss”、“soil erosion”、“soil conservation”或“soil and water conservation”等术语。显然,土壤是水土保持学科的重点。另一方面,土壤侵蚀营力等是土壤流失过程中的外部因素,而土壤性质才是内在因素,因此,水土保持学科中核心的也是重要的问题,应该是土壤保护。土壤可蚀性研究在水土保持研究工作中具有重要意义,国际上把土壤可蚀性研究一直作为水土保持学科研究的重要内容之一。     

土壤孔隙结构与土壤微环境和有机碳周转关系的研究进展

土壤结构是土壤功能的基础,不仅影响土壤养分的供应、水分的保持及渗透、气体的交换等过程,还为土壤微生物提供了物理生境,并调控土壤有机碳的周转这一关键过程。土壤的孔隙特征能够直接、真实地反映土壤结构的好坏;用土壤的孔隙特征作为试验指标能更好地反映土壤结构对这些过程的调节作用。在此基础上,将高度异质性的土壤孔隙结构同土壤微环境的变化和土壤有机碳的周转过程进行定量分析,对深入了解土壤结构在土壤生态系统中的功能至关重要。因此,着重从土壤孔隙结构对土壤微环境的影响及其与有机碳的关系两方面展开,剖析土壤孔隙结构调控作用下的土壤微环境响应过程,阐述土壤孔隙结构对土壤有机碳周转产生的直接、间接影响,强调土壤孔隙结构在调节土壤有机碳周转进程中的重要作用,并对土壤孔隙结构在调节土壤有机碳周转、植物残体分解及其与微生物协调作用机制等方面研究提出展望。     

Historical aspects of soil classification in Japan

Historical perspective of soil classification in Japan from Max Fesca's soil classification in 1882 to the “Unified Soil Classification System of Japan (2002)” was outlined, aiming at reviewing the progress in soil classification. The evolution can be divided into the following five aspects: 1) Max Fesca's soil texture survey and soil classification from the agro-geological point of view under the influence of the German school; 2) Introduction of the concept of pedology into the classification under the influence of the Russian school led by Dokchaev; 3) Brief history of the classification of Andosols which has exerted a considerable influence on soil classification worldwide; 4) Soil classifications developed through the implementation of national soil survey projects to independently evaluate land suitability for the cultivation of paddy rice, upland crops, and for forest establishment; 5) Attempts to develop a comprehensive soil classification system in order to unify soil classification systems for the above-mentioned land uses from 1963 to the present.     

渭北旱塬侵蚀退化土壤生产力的恢复与评价

土壤侵蚀会降低生产力,威胁农业生产,因此,对土壤生产力进行恢复和评价具有重要意义。通过人工剥离熟土层,模拟研究不同侵蚀程度下的土壤生产力,选取施肥和覆盖表土2种恢复措施,对其土壤生产力的恢复情况展开研究并进行评价。结果表明:1)土壤侵蚀能够使土壤的理化性状恶化,施肥和覆土均能很好地改善土壤密度和孔隙度等,并能够增加土壤有机质及其他养分的质量分数。2)土壤侵蚀会降低作物产量,在不施肥下,每侵蚀1cm熟土层,玉米产量平均下降1.27%,施肥下每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,玉米产量比对照平均增加0.87%;而每覆盖1cm熟土层,玉米产量平均增加0.91%,但并不能完全补偿侵蚀造成的产量损失。3)利用土壤生产力指数模型(PI模型)计算出了不同措施下的生产力指数,发现:无肥下侵蚀的生产力指数最低,平均每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,生产力指数下降2.17%,施肥下平均每侵蚀1 cm熟土层,生产力指数比无肥增加1.09%,而平均每覆盖1 cm熟土,生产力指数增加1.29%;表明覆土较施肥更易提高土壤生产力。4)对产量和生产力指数进行相关性分析,得出二者具有很好的正相关关系,说明用生产力指数来衡量土壤生产力的高低是可行的。     

低丘侵蚀红壤复垦后土壤微生物特征研究

侵蚀红壤复垦培肥后 ,随着地面覆盖度的增加 ,土壤结构、土壤通气性、土壤养分状况得到改善 ,各侵蚀观测小区的年径流量、侵蚀模数、土壤流失量急剧降低 ,土壤微生物量、土壤呼吸强度、土壤酶活性均有较大幅度的提高 ,并且其在各小区的分布趋势与土壤养分和土壤水稳性团聚体的分布趋势相一致 ,说明侵蚀红壤经耕作培肥后 ,土壤有机残体的分解强度和腐殖质的合成过程得到加强 ,土壤肥力处于不断的恢复和提高过程当中 ,从土壤微生物和土壤酶活性增强的幅度来看 ,林地要优于草地 ,在林地中阔叶林优于混交林优于针叶林 (杉木林 ) ,而且随着复垦年限增加 ,土壤培肥效果更加显著     

金沙江干热峡谷中退化的土壤生态系统生物学特征初探

Distribution characteristics of soil animals,microorganisms and enzymatic activity were studied in the dry red soil and Vertisol ecosystems with different degradation degrees in the Yuanmou dry hot valley of the Jinsha River,China.Results showed that Hymenoptera,Araneae and Collembola were the dominant groups of soil animals in the polts studied.The numbers of groups and individuals and density of soil animals in the dry red soil series were higher than those in the Vertisol series,and the numbers of individuals and density of soil animals decreased with the degree of soil degradation.Bacteria dominated microbiococnosis not only in the dry red soils but also in the Vertisols.Microbial numbers of the dry red soil series were higher than those of Vertisol series,and decreased with the degree of soil degradation.The activities of catalase,invertase,urease and alkaline phosphatase declined with the degradation degree and showed a significant decline with depth in the profiles of both the dry red soils and the Vertisols,but activities of polyphenol oxidase and acid and neutral phosphatase showed the same tendencies only in the Vertisols.It was concluded that the characteristics of soil animals,microorganisms and enzymatic activity could be used as the bio-indicators to show the degradation degree of the dry red soils and Vertisols.Correlation among these soil bio-indicators was highly significant.