Organic Matter Dynamics in Reclaimed Lignite Mine Soils under Robinia pseudoacacia L. Plantations of Different Ages in Germany

In temperate regions, cultivation of Robinia pseudoacacia L. has recently received considerable attention because it is a fast-growing species for biomass and bioenergy production, while acting as a potential carbon (C) sink to counterbalance carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and an alternative to agricultural crops on marginal sites. The objective of our work was to compare total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and organic C fractions in postlignite mining soils under different development stages of R. pseudoacacia. Soil samples from three different depths (0–3, 3–10 and 10–30 cm) were taken in plantations 2, 3, 4, and 14 years old (R2, R3, R4, and R14, respectively). The TOC and TN contents increased with increasing tree age in all layers (P < 0.01). In the top 30 cm, TOC and TN stocks ranged from 11.7 to 59.8 Mg C ha^?1 and from 0.30 to 2.61 Mg N ha^?1 at R2 and R14, respectively. The rate of C sequestration was calculated to be 4.0 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1. Microbial biomass C and N were strongly correlated to TOC (r² = 0.96 – 0.81; P < 0.001) and TN contents (r² = 0.92 – 0.91; P < 0.001). The light fraction C (C_LF) accounted for 15–30% and the heavy fraction C for 70% of TOC in all layers. In the 0- to 3-cm layer, C_LF increased by 0.5 g kg^?1 year^?1. The results indicate that plantations of R. pseudoacacia are an attractive alternative to increase soil C contents in reclaimed lignite mining soils. In the short term, microbial biomass C and light fraction C are sensitive and provide an appropriate measure to assess soil C changes caused by cultivation of R. pseudoacacia.     

Medium‐ and short‐term available organic matter,microbial biomass,and enzyme activities in soils under Pinus sylvestris L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. in a sandy soil in NE Saxony,Germany

Total, mobile, and easily available C and N fractions, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities in a sandy soil under pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stands were investigated in a field study near Riesa, NE Germany. Samples of the organic layers (Oi and Oe‐Oa) and the mineral soil (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 10–30 cm) were taken in fall 1999 and analyzed for their contents of organic C and total N, hot‐water‐extractable organic C and N (HWC and HWN), KCl‐extractable organic C and N (C_org(KCl) and N_org(KCl)), NH ‐N and NO ‐N, microbial‐biomass C and N, and activities of β‐glucosidase and L‐asparaginase. With exception of the HWC, all investigated C and N pools showed a clear response to tilling, which was most pronounced in the Oi horizon. Compared to soils under pine, those under black locust had higher contents of medium‐ and short‐term available C (HWC, C_org(KCl)) and N (HWN, N_org(KCl)), mineral N (NH ‐N, NO ‐N), microbial‐biomass C and N, and enzyme activities in the uppermost horizons of the soil. The strong depth gradient found for all studied parameters was most pronounced in soils under black locust. Microbial‐biomass C and N and enzyme activities were closely related to the amounts of readily mineralizable organic C (HWC and C_org(KCl)). However, the presented results implicate a faster C and N turnover in the top‐soil layers under black locust caused by higher N‐input rates by symbiotic N₂ fixation.     

Humusveränderungen nach Einbringung von Buche und Eiche in Kiefernreinbestände

Humus changes after introduction of beech and oak into Scots‐pine monocultures Medium‐ and long‐term (16 to 83 years) effects of an introduction of broadleaf‐tree species (Common beech [Fagus sylvatica] and European‐Sessile Oak [Quercus robur/petraea]) into mature Scots‐pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands on humus type and chemical properties of the Oh layer (pH value, base saturation, C : N ratio) were studied on 16 sites in Bavaria/Germany. The sites investigated covered a large range with respect to elevation, climate, parent material, and soil type. At most sites, the introduction of beech resulted in a significant change of the soil humus type from biologically inactive humus types to more active ones. The strongest changes occurred on the poorest sites, where forest floors under pure pine were particularly biologically inactive. In most cases, the changes in humus type were accompanied by significant increases in the pH value and the base saturation and significant decreases in the C : N ratio of the Oh layer. However, the latter effect was not noticed at most sites with initial C : N ratios higher than 30. In contrast to beech, the introduction of oak did not result in a systematic change of the humus type, the pH value, or the base saturation of the Oh layer. In spite of the considerable change of humus type under beech to biologically more active types, the introduction of broadleaf trees did not result in a systematic change of the thickness or the mass of the forest floor. A decrease in the mass of the Of layer was compensated by an increase of the Oh‐layer mass. All studied sites considered, the introduction of broadleaf trees into Scots‐pine monocultures resulted on average in an 8% decrease of the total amount of organic carbon (C_org) in the forest floor; the C_org amount in the uppermost 10 cm mineral soil increased by 9%. At 35% of all investigated sites, broadleaf tree introduction resulted in increased (+5% to +18%) topsoil (forest floor and uppermost 10 cm mineral soil) C_org stocks. At 30% of the sites, the stock changes were less than ±5%, and on 35% of all sites, soil C_org stocks decreased by –5% to –36%. The average change in the topsoil C_org stock for all studied sites was –5%. The introduction of beech into Scots‐pine monocultures resulted in an ecologically desired translocation of soil organic matter from the forest floor into the mineral topsoil. It is an effective and sustainable silvicultural measure to restore and revitalize acidified, nutrient‐depleted topsoils with biologically inactive humus types.     

Accumulation of Miscanthus‐derived carbon in soils in relation to soil depth and duration of land use under commercial farming conditions

Bioenergy is becoming an important option in Global Change mitigation policy world‐wide. In agriculture, cultivation of energy crops for biodiesel, biogas, or bioethanol production received considerable attention in the past decades. Beyond this, the cultivation of Miscanthus, used as solid fuel for combustion, may lead to an increase in soil organic matter content compared to other agricultural land use, since C‐sequestration potential in soils of Miscanthus crops is high due to, e.g., high amounts of harvest residues. This may indirectly contribute to a reduction of atmospheric CO₂ concentration. The objective of the present work was to investigate the development of soil organic carbon and Miscanthus‐derived C contents, as well as to estimate carbon stocks in soils cultivated with Miscanthus using ¹³C‐natural‐abundance technique. The investigations were carried out in relation to soil depth up to 150 cm in a sequence of 2, 5, and 16 y of cultivation relative to a reference soil cultivated with cereals. Amounts of total organic C (TOC) and Miscanthus‐derived C (Miscanthus‐C) increased with increasing duration of cultivation. For example, TOC increased from 12.8 to 21.3 g C kg^–1 after 16 y of cultivation at the depth of 0–15 cm, whereby the portion of Miscanthus‐C reached 5.8 g C kg^–1. Also within deeper soil layers down to 60 cm depth a significant enhancement of Miscanthus‐C was detectable even though TOC contents were not significantly enhanced. At soil depth below 60 cm, no significant differences between treatments were found for Miscanthus‐C. Within 16 y of continuous commercial farming, Miscanthus stands accumulated a total of 17.7 Mg C ha^–1 derived from Miscanthus residues (C4‐C), which is equivalent to 1.1 Mg C4‐C ha^–1 y^–1. The annual surplus might function as CO₂ credit within a greenhouse‐gas balance. Moreover, the beneficial properties of Miscanthus cultivation combined with a low requirement on fertilization may justify the status of Miscanthus as a sustainable low‐input bioenergy crop.     

Soil organic carbon fractions and management index after 20 yr of manure and fertilizer application for greenhouse vegetables

Impacts of organic manure and inorganic fertilizer on total organic carbon (C_T), water‐soluble organic C (C_WS), microbial biomass C (C_MB), particulate organic C (C_P), labile organic C (C_L), C storage and sequestration, and C management index (CMI) in surface soil (0–20 cm) were investigated in a 20‐yr field experiment under a greenhouse vegetable system in northeast China. The treatments included unfertilized control (CK), N fertilizer (N), balanced NPK fertilizer (NPK), organic manure alone (M) and the NPK fertilizer combined with the manure (MNPK). Under the treatments of N and NPK, C_T content and C storage were not significantly changed over the experimental period, while C_WS, C_MB, C_P, C_L concentrations and CMI were significantly increased compared with the unfertilized control. In comparison with the control, the manure treatments, M and MNPK, significantly increased C_T content and C storage, sequestrating organic C of 8.9 and 9.2 Mg/ha, respectively. The M and MNPK treatments showed higher C_WS, C_MB, C_P and C_L concentrations and CMI than the other three treatments. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to show that C_WS, C_MB, C_P, C_L and CMI could be useful indicators for assessing soil quality and total C changes. The M treatment is effective in sequestrating soil C, but resulted in lower crop yield compared with the NPK treatment. The MNPK treatment showed the greatest increases in crop yield and C sequestration in the greenhouse vegetable system.     

Influence of land use (savanna,pasture, Eucalyptus plantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil

In Brazil, most Eucalyptus stands have been planted on Cerrado (shrubby savanna) or on Cerrado converted into pasture. Case studies are needed to assess the effect of such land use changes on soil fertility and C sequestration. In this study, the influence of Cerrado land development (pasture and Eucalyptus plantations) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) stocks were quantified in southern Brazil. Two contrasted silvicultural practices were also compared: 60 years of short‐rotation silviculture (EUC_SR) versus 60 years of continuous growth (EUC_HF). C and N soil concentrations and bulk densities were measured and modelled for each vegetation type, and SOC and SON stocks were calculated down to a depth of 1 m by a continuous function. Changes in SOC and SON stocks mainly occurred in the forest floor (no litter in pasture and up to 0.87 kg C m^?2 and 0.01 kg N m^?2 in EUC_SR) and upper soil horizons. C and N stocks and their confidence intervals were greatly influenced by the methodology used to compute these layers. C/N ratio and ¹³C analysis showed that down to a depth of 30 cm, the Cerrado organic matter was replaced by organic matter from newly introduced vegetation by as much as 75–100% for pasture and about 50% for EUC_HF, poorer in N for Eucalyptus stands (C/N larger than 18 for Eucalyptus stands). Under pasture, 0–30 cm SON stocks (0.25 kg N m^?2) were between 10 and 20% greater than those of the Cerrado (0.21 kg N m^?2), partly due to soil compaction (limit bulk density at soil surface from 1.23 for the Cerrado to 1.34 for pasture). Land development on the Cerrado increased SOC stocks in the 0–30 cm layer by between 15 and 25% (from 2.99 (Cerrado) to 3.86 (EUC_SR) kg C m^?2). When including litter layers, total 0–30 cm carbon stocks increased by 35% for EUC_HF (4.50 kg C m^?2) and 53% for EUC_SR (5.08 kg C m^?2), compared with the Cerrado (3.28 kg C m^?2), independently of soil compaction.     

Effects of nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon fractions in the subtropical forest ecosystems of S China

Experiments were conducted between 2003 and 2008 to examine how N additions influence soil organic C (SOC) and its fractions in forests at different succession stages in the subtropical China. The succession stages included pine forest, pine and broadleaf mixed forest, and old‐growth monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest. Three levels of N (NH₄NO₃)‐addition treatments comprising control, low‐N (50 kg N ha^–1 y^–1), and medium‐N (100 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) were established. An additional treatment of high‐N (150 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) was established in the broadleaf mixed forest. Soil samples were obtained in July 2008 for analysis. Total organic C (TOC), particulate organic C (POC, > 53 μm), readily oxidizable organic C (ROC), nonreadily oxidizable organic C (NROC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and soil properties were analyzed. Nitrogen addition affected the TOC and its fractions significantly. Labile organic‐C fractions (POC and ROC) in the topsoil (0–10 cm) increased in all the three forests in response to the N‐addition treatments. NROC within the topsoil was higher in the medium‐N and high‐N treatments than in the controls. In the topsoil profiles of the broadleaf forest, N addition decreased MBC and increased TOC, while no significant effect on MBC and TOC occurred in the pine and mixed forests. Overall, elevated N deposition increased the availability of labile organic C (POC and ROC) and the accumulation of NROC within the topsoil irrespective of the forest succession stage, and might enhance the C‐storage capacity of the forest soils.     

Long‐Term Changes in Soil Carbon Stocks in the Brazilian Cerrado Under Commercial Soybean

The net effect of agriculture on soil carbon is not yet fully understood. While a number of studies on shallow profiles have been published, evidence suggests that carbon stock changes occur in deeper layers. In this study we analyzed the effect of agriculture in the Cerrado soil C looking at changes in seven different profile depths from 0 to 100 cm in a commercial grain farm. We also used isotopic techniques to distinguish between the original Cerrado C₃ carbon and the C₄ carbon derived from the grasses used in agriculture. At 0–5 cm depth C stocks significantly decreased with cultivation time. The C stock did not change significantly when it was calculated using the 0–10, 0–20, 0–30, 0–50 or 0–75 cm profile (p > 0·05) but increased with cultivation time when the profile considered was 0–100 cm (p < 0·05). A two‐source isotope model revealed that there was a significant increase in carbon derived from C₄ grasses for all depths with cultivation time. Annual carbon sequestration rates for the upper 100 cm of soil were 1·1 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for total carbon and 0·8 Mg C₄ C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for C₄ carbon. The oldest area, with 23 years of cultivation, had a soil C stock increase compared to the native Cerrado soil of 17·6%. These findings suggest that commercial grain farms practices may increase soil C stock compared to native Cerrado soil, if a more complete soil profile down to 100 cm is used to assess C stocks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil organic carbon active fractions as early indicators for total carbon change under straw incorporation

Changes in total organic C (C _T), water-soluble organic C (C _WS), microbial biomass C (C _MB), C mineralization, particulate organic C (C _P), labile organic C (C _L), C management index (CMI), and C storage in surface Hapli-Ustic Cambisol (0–20 cm) under straw incorporation after both 2- and 10-year durations were investigated in a maize (Zea mays L.) field experiment in northeast China, in order to examine the effectiveness of these active C fractions and CMI as early indicators for total C change. The treatments included straw removal (0%S), 50% of straw incorporation (50%S), and 100% of straw incorporation (100%S). Under the straw incorporation, C _T concentration and C storage did not significantly change under 2-year duration, while were significantly increased under 10-year duration. However, C _MB, total C mineralization (C _TM), C _P, and C _L, and CMI were significantly increased under the straw incorporation even after only 2-year duration, and the responses were more significant after 10-year duration. There were positive correlations between all these C indicators with each other. Our findings demonstrate that the measured active C fractions (except for C _WS) and CMI can provide an early indication of change in total soil organic C induced by straw incorporation.     

Natural 13C abundance and soil carbon dynamics under long‐term residue retention in a no‐till maize system

Residue retention and reduced tillage are both conservation agricultural practices that may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization in soil. We evaluated the long‐term effects of no‐till (NT) and stover retention from maize on SOC dynamics in a Rayne silt loam Typic Hapludults in Ohio. The six treatments consisted of retaining 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200% of maize residues on each 3 × 3 m plot from the crop of previous year. Soil samples were obtained after 9 yrs of establishing the experiment. The whole soil (0–10 and 10–20 cm of soil depths) samples under different treatments were analysed for total C, total N, recalcitrant C (NaOCl treated sample) and ¹³C isotopic abundance (0–10 cm soil depth). Complete removal of stover for a period of 9 yrs significantly (P < 0.01) decreased soil C content (15.5 g/kg), whereas 200% of stover retention had the maximum soil C concentration (23.1 g/kg). Relative distribution of C for all the treatments in different fractions comprised of 55–58% as labile and 42–45% as recalcitrant. Retention of residue did not significantly affect total C and N concentration in 10–20 cm depth. ¹³C isotopic signature data indicated that C₄‐C (maize‐derived C) was the dominant fraction of C in the top 0–10 cm of soil layer under NT with maize‐derived C accounting for as high as 80% of the total SOC concentration. Contribution of C₄‐C or maize‐derived C was 71–84% in recalcitrant fraction in different residue retained plots. Residue management is imperative to increase SOC concentrations and long‐term agro‐ecosystem necessitates residue retention for stabilizing C in light‐textured soils.     

Land management effects on nitrogen and carbon cycling in an Ultisol

Abstract

Soil carbon (C) content in agro‐ecosystems is important in a global context because of the potential for soil to act as a sink for atmospheric CO₂. However, soil C storage in agro‐ecosystems can be sensitive to land management practices. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of land management systems on C and nitrogen (N) cycling in an Ultisol in Alabama. Soil samples (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) were collected from a Marvyn sandy loam soil (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults) under five different farm scale management systems for at least 5 years. The five systems were cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production managed with 1) conventional tillage only, 2) conventional tillage with a grazed winter cover crop (wheat, Triticum aestivum L.), 3) conservation tillage with a winter cover crop grown for cover only with strip tillage; or taken out of cotton production with either 4) long‐term fallow (mowed), or 5) Conservation Reserve Program with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) (CRP‐pine). Total N, total organic C (TOC), total P, and soil C:N ratios were determined. Potential C mineralization, N mineralization, C turnover and C:N mineralization ratios were determined on samples during a 30‐day laboratory incubation study. The fallow system had significantly higher TOC concentration (7.7 g kg^‐1 C) while the CRP‐pine system had lower TOC concentration (3.1 g kg^‐1 C) compared with the farmed management systems (=4.7 g kg^‐1 C). The fallow system had a significantly lower C turnover at all three soil depths compared with the other management systems. At the 0–10 cm depth, the highest C:N mineralization ratio levels were observed in management systems receiving the most tillage. Our results indicate that for Ultisols in the Southeast the use of surface tillage in land management systems is a controlling factor which may limit soil C sequestration.     

Effects of fertilizer type and rate on labile soil fractions of a sandy Cambisol—long‐term and short‐term dynamics

The application of density fractionation is an established technique, but studies on short‐term dynamics of labile soil fractions are scarce. Objectives were (1) to quantify the long‐term and short‐term dynamics of soil C and N in light fraction (LFOC, LFON, ρ ≤ 2.0 g cm^–3) and microbial biomass C (C_mic) in a sandy Cambisol as affected by 28 y of different fertilization and (2) to determine the incorporation of C₄‐C into these labile fractions during one growing season of amaranth. The treatments were: straw incorporation plus application of mineral fertilizer (MSI) and application of farmyard manure (FYM) each at high (MSI_H, FYM_H, 140–150 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) and low (MSI_L, FYM_L, 50–60 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) rates at four field replicates. For all three sampling dates in 2008 (March, May, and September), stocks of LFOC, LFON and C_mic decreased in the order FYM_H > FYM_L > MSI_H, MSI_L. However, statistical significance varied markedly among the sampling dates, e.g., with LFOC being significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in the order given above (sampling date in March), significantly different depending on the fertilizer type (May), or nonsignificant (September). The high proportion of LFOC on the stocks of soil organic C (45% to 55%) indicated the low capacity of soil‐organic‐matter stabilization on mineral surfaces in the sandy Cambisol. The incorporation of C₄‐C in the LFOC during one growing season of amaranth was small in all four treatments with C₄‐LFOC ranging from 2.1% to 3.0% of total LFOC in March 2009, and apparent turnover times of C₃‐derived LFOC ranged from 21 to 32 y for the sandy soils studied. Overall, our study indicates that stocks of LFOC and LFON in a sandy arable soil are temporarily too variable to obtain robust significant treatment effects of fertilizer type and rate at common agricultural practices within a season, despite the use of bulked six individual cores per plot, a common number of field replicates of four, and a length of treatments (28 y) in the order of the turnover time (21–32 y) of C₃‐derived LFOC.     

Carbon pools and soil biochemical properties in manure‐based organic farming systems of semi‐arid New Mexico

The economic benefits of organic agriculture and its wide adoption are well documented, but the impact of that practice on soil C dynamics in irrigated croplands of semi‐arid regions is less well understood. In manure‐based organic production systems, land applications of animal wastes not only provide nutrients but could also contribute to soil carbon sequestration. A study was conducted in irrigated cotton (Gossypium arboreum L) agro‐ecosystems of New Mexico (USA) under conventional (CONV; 100 kg N/ha as urea and NH₄NO₃) and organic farming practices (OF for 3–9 yr; 50 Mg dry manure/ha) to assess the effect of OF on soil C stocks (organic, inorganic) and biochemical indices [microbial biomass C (MBC); respiration; metabolic quotient (qCO₂)]. In the plough layer (0–30 cm), soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks tended to be higher (although not statistically) under OF (35.9 Mg C/ha) than CONV (33.5 Mg C/ha). However, when the entire 100‐cm soil profile was considered, the total SOC under CONV exceeded that under OF by 39.8 Mg C/ha, but this may be influenced by other factors. Accounting for 52% of the total C stock, inorganic C was significantly higher under CONV than OF and was positively correlated with soil respiration and the H/C ratio of soil organic matter. While OF duration had no consistent effect on soil biochemical properties, MBC was significantly higher (1.5 times) and the qCO₂ (3–6 times) was lower in the organically fertilized soils than under CONV. These results suggest the development, under OF, of a soil microbial community that is larger and processes added C substrates more efficiently compared with the community present in CONV practices.     

Critical carbon inputs to maintain soil organic carbon stocks under long‐term finger‐millet (Eleusine coracana [L.] Gaertn.) cropping on Alfisols in semiarid tropical India

Enrichment of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks through sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ in agricultural soils is important because of its impacts on adaptation to and mitigation of climate change while also improving crop productivity and sustainability. In a long‐term fertility experiment carried out over 27 y under semiarid climatic condition, we evaluated the impact of crop‐residue C inputs through rainfed fingermillet (Eleusine coracana [L.] Gaertn.) cropping, fertilization, and manuring on crop yield sustainability and SOC sequestration in a Alfisol soil profile up to a depth of 1 m and also derived the critical value of C inputs for maintenance of SOC. Five treatments, viz., control, farmyard manure (FYM) 10 Mg ha^–1, recommended dose of NPK (50 : 50 : 25 kg N, P₂O₅, K₂O ha^–1), FYM 10 Mg ha^–1 + 50% recommended dose of NPK, and FYM 10 Mg ha^–1 + 100% recommended dose of NPK imposed in a randomized block design replicated four times. Application of FYM alone or together with mineral fertilizer resulted in a higher C input and consequently built up a higher C stock. After 27 y, higher profile SOC stock (85.7 Mg ha^–1), C build up (35.0%), and C sequestration (15.4 Mg C ha^–1) was observed with the application of 10 Mg FYM ha^–1 along with recommended dose of mineral fertilizer and these were positively correlated with cumulative C input and well reflected in sustainable yield index (SYI). For sustenance of SOC level (zero change due to cropping) a minimum quantity of 1.13 Mg C is required to be added per hectare per annum as inputs. While the control lost C, the application of mineral fertilizer served to maintain the priori C stock. Thus, the application of FYM increased the C stock, an effect which was even enhanced by additional amendment of mineral fertilizer. We conclude that organic amendments contribute to C sequestration counteracting climate change and at the same time improve soil fertility in the semiarid regions of India resulting in higher and more stable yields.     

Soil carbon as affected by cover crops under no‐till under tropical climate

In tropical, low‐fertility soils, crop yields are dependent on soil carbon, and cropping systems under no‐till can increase soil C stocks. Plant residues supplied by cover crops in no‐till systems may improve aggregate stability and soil carbon, which may be further increased with the introduction of a legume in the cropping system. This research studied the effects of cover crops in rotation with soybean under no‐till on soil carbon and nitrogen, in Botucatu, Brazil, for 3 yr. The cover crops were millet (Penninsetum americanum Leek), cober crop (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), grown in the spring. Fallow without cover crops was used as a control. Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) were grown in fall–winter and summer, respectively. Generally, cover crops increased soil carbon contents, but soil N was only increased by sunn hemp in the particulate organic C fraction. An increase in the labile carbon fraction in the topsoil layers was closely related to cover crop root development. Fallow in spring should not be recommended in degraded soils with lowcarbon stock. Labile‐fractioned soil organic carbon and total carbon levels are more efficiently increased by grasses than by legumes in the short term, and grasses cropped in spring increase soil C/N ratio. Conversely, the introduction of a legume (sunn hemp) maintained a more stable C/N ratio, that is around 10, which would be more effective in increasing soil C in the long term.     

Conversion of cropland into grassland: Implications for soil organic‐carbon stocks in two soils with different texture

Soil organic‐carbon (SOC) stocks are expected to increase after conversion of cropland into grassland. Two adjacent cropland and grassland sites—one with a Vertisol with 23 y after conversion and one with an Arenosol 29 y after conversion—were sampled down to 60 cm depth. Concentrations of SOC and total nitrogen (N_tot) were measured before and after density fractionation in two light fractions and a mineral‐associated fraction with C adsorbed on mineral surfaces. For the soil profiles, SOC stocks and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) concentrations of mineral associated C were determined. Carbon stocks and mineral‐associated SOC concentrations were increased in the upper 10 cm of the grassland soil compared to the cropland. This corresponded to the root‐biomass distribution, with 59% and 86% of the total root biomass at 0–5 cm soil depth of the grasslands. However, at the Arenosol site, at 10–20 cm depth, C in the mineral‐associated fraction was lost 29 y after the conversion into grassland. Over all, SOC stocks were not significantly different between grassland and cropland at both sites when the whole profile was taken into account. At the Arenosol site, the impact of land‐use conversion on SOC accumulation was limited by low total clay surface area available for C stabilization. Subsoil C (30–50 cm) at cropland of the Vertisol site comprised 32% of the total SOC stocks with high ¹⁴C concentrations below the plowing horizon. We concluded that fresh C was effectively translocated into the subsoil. Thus, subsoil C has to be taken into account when land‐use change effects on SOC are assessed.     

Accumulation and composition of total organic carbon in reclaimed coal mine lands

Reclaimed coal mine lands have the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon (C); however, limited information exists for the western USA coalfields. This study was carried out on two chronosequences (BA‐C₃ grasses and DJ‐shrubs) of reclaimed sites at two surface coal mines to determine the effects of vegetation, soil texture, and lignin content on soil total organic carbon (TOC) accumulations. In the BA chronosequence, TOC increased over 26 years at an average rate of 0·52 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the 0–30 cm depth and was significantly correlated with clay content. Comparison between < 1 and 16‐year‐old stockpile soils indicated TOC content did not differ significantly. In the DJ chronosequence, TOC content in the 0–30 cm depth declined from 31·3 Mg ha⁻¹ in 5‐year‐old soils to 23·4 Mg ha⁻¹ in 16‐year‐old soils. The C:N ratios suggested that some (up to 2·0 per cent) of the TOC was potentially derived from coal particles in these reclaimed soils. Soil total N (TN) contents followed a similar trend as TOC with TOC and TN concentrations strongly correlated. Lignin contents in TOC of all reclaimed soils and topsoil stockpiles (TSs) were higher than that of nearby undisturbed soils, indicating the recalcitrant nature of TOC in reclaimed soils and/or possibly the slow recovery of lignin degrading organism. Results indicated that TOC accumulations in DJ were largely controlled by its composition, particular lignin content. In BA sites TOC accumulation was strongly influenced by both clay and lignin contents. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impacts of farmland conversion to apple (Malus domestica) orchard on soil organic carbon stocks and enzyme activities in a semiarid loess region

Land‐use change often affects the sizes of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and the activities of soil enzymes. Responses of relevant soil quality indices caused by farmland conversion to orchard are largely unknown in the semiarid loess regions. This study was conducted at orchard sites, which have been under very intensive cultivation, to evaluate the impacts of farmland conversion to apple (Malus domestica) orchard on SOC stocks and soil enzyme activities in the semiarid loess region of Weibei, Shaanxi province, China. The spatial and temporal changes in a variety of soil quality indices were measured for the 0–100 cm soil profile in apple orchards of three age groups (< 10 y, juvenile; 10–15 y, mature; > 15 y, over‐mature) and adjacent farmlands (control). After farmland conversion, total SOC (TOC) content and density and soil alkaline phosphatase activity significantly decreased, while soil catalase activity increased for the 0–100 cm soil profile. The labile SOC (LOC) content, its proportion to TOC content, and carbon management index (CMI, changes in the total content and lability of SOC) significantly increased in the 0–40 cm soil layer, whereas soil urease and invertase activities only increased in the 0–20 cm layer (P < 0.05). With increasing age of apple orchards, SOC stocks significantly increased after 10 y, being more than 10% larger in mature and over mature orchards than in adjacent farmlands. The LOC content and CMI value also had an increasing trend, while soil enzyme activities showed different response patterns. There were significant correlations between soil enzyme activities, SOC fractions, and CMI value (P < 0.05). We concluded that farmland conversion to apple orchard affected soil quality by reducing SOC stocks in the soil profile and changing SOC content as well as soil enzyme activities at various depth intervals. Long‐term apple cultivation was effective to restore SOC stocks, although it took over a decade to rebuild a new increasing trend after farmland conversion.     

Change in soil organic carbon following the ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ programme in China

Agricultural soils are considered to have great potential for carbon sequestration through land‐use change. In this paper, we compiled data from the literatures and studied the change in soil organic carbon (SOC) following the ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ Programme (GGP, i.e., conversion from farmland to plantation, secondary forests and grasslands) in China. The results showed that SOC stocks accumulated at an average rate of 36·67 g m⁻² y⁻¹ in the top 20 cm with large variation. The current SOC storage could be estimated using the initial SOC stock and year since land use transformation (Adjusted R² = 0·805, p = 0·000). After land use change, SOC stocks decreased during the initial 4–5 years, followed by an increase after above ground vegetation restoration. Annual average precipitation and initial SOC stocks had a significant effect (p < 0·05) on the rate of change in SOC, while no significant effects were observed between plantation and natural regeneration (p > 0·05). The ongoing ‘Grain‐for‐Green’ project might make significant contribution to China's carbon sequestration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil organic‐matter stocks and characteristics along an Alpine elevation gradient

Mountain regions are known to be especially vulnerable to climatic changes; however, information on the climate sensitivity of alpine ecosystems is still scarce to date. In this study, we investigate the impacts of climate and vegetation composition on soil organic‐matter (SOM) stocks and characteristics along an elevation gradient (900 to 1900 m asl) in the Austrian Limestone Alps. The soils classified as Leptic Histosols, i.e., organic soils directly overlying the calcareous bedrock. Soil organic‐carbon stocks (SOC; mean ± standard deviation) to bedrock increased in the low‐elevation forest sites from 19 ± 3 kg m^–2 (900 m asl) to 31 ± 3 kg m^–2 (1300 m asl), reached a maximum (38 ± 5 kg m^–2) in the shrubland at 1500 m asl, but decreased again in the high‐elevation grassland sites (26 ± 3 kg m^–2 at 1700 m asl and 13 ± 3 kg m^–2 at 1900 m asl). Thermogravimetic measurements and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggest that the upper soil layers were dominated by more labile organic compounds, whereas more persistent materials increased with depth. Along the studied climosequence, the aliphatic FTIR band (2920 cm^–1) was lower in the low‐elevation forest sites compared to the high‐elevation grassland sites. Most other FTIR bands did not change with altitude, but were related to specific site conditions, such as vegetation composition and associated differences in soil pH. Our results demonstrate that differences in SOM stocks and characteristics are not consistently related to variations in climatic conditions along the studied elevation gradient, but are strongly affected by the vegetation composition, their C input and litter quality. This, in turn, is expected to shift in response to climate change.