Examining soil organic carbon in the mountainous peat swamps of the Zoigê Plateau in China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Mountainous peatlands are one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems for carbon storage and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. An insight into the carbon cycle of peat swamps located in mountainous regions can be obtained by studying the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its relationships with environmental factors. This study focused on the development conditions of peat swamps in the Gahai wetlands, located on the Zoigê Plateau, China, with four different altitudinal gradients as experimental sample sites. The distribution of SOC and its relationship with environmental factors were analysed through vegetation surveys and a generalized additive model (GAM). The results show that with increasing altitude, soil temperature decreased while the soil pH and bulk density initially decreased then increased. On the contrary, the topographic wetness index (TWI), SOC content, above-ground biomass and litter count initially increased then decreased. The SOC content of the 0–30 cm soil layer was in the range 226–330 g·kg⁻¹ (coefficient of variation (CV) = 21.4%), and the 30–60 cm layer was 178–257 g·kg⁻¹ (CV = 17.5%) and was significantly correlated (p < .05) with above-ground biomass and litter count. Meanwhile, the SOC content in the 60–90 cm soil layer was in the range 132–167 g·kg⁻¹ (CV = 9.2%) with a significant correlation (p < .05) with soil temperature, pH, bulk density and topographic moisture index. The study showed that the SOC content exhibited more pronounced spatial patterns with increasing altitude, with the peak value in the shallow soil layer appearing in lower elevation areas compared with the deep soil layer. The level of variation changed from medium to low, reflecting the stable mechanism for maintaining SOC within the heterogeneous peat swamp environment.     

喀斯特森林植被自然恢复过程中土壤有机碳库特征演化

采用空间代替时间的方法,研究了茂兰喀斯特森林自然恢复过程中土壤有机碳库特征,结果表明:土壤容重(0～10 cm土层0.94～1.15 g cm-3,＞30 cm土层0.98～1.19 g cm-3)、石砾含量(0～10 cm土层19.93 ～26.61％,＞30 cm土层20.36 ～32.11％)随恢复进展而减少,随土层加深而增加;土壤容积(0～10 cm土层20.13 ～22.02 m3,＞30 cm土层4.16～6.87 m3)、有机碳含量(0 ～10 cm土层21.14 ～52.67 g kg-1,＞ 30 cm土层11.15 ～25.93 g kg-1)、有机碳密度[(0 ～ 10 cm土层1.91 ～4.03 kg m-2,＞ 30 cm土层0.39～1.96 kgm-2)、有机碳储量(900 m2样地0 ～ 10 cm土层0.538 ～0.883 t,＞30 cm土层0.039 ～0.137 t)、易氧化碳含量(0～10 cm土层5.28 ～33.25 g kg-1,＞ 30 cm土层5.98 ～ 14.13 g kg-1)均随恢复进展而增加,随土层加深而减少;随恢复进展0 ～ 20 cm土层有机碳稳定性增强、活性降低,＞20 cm土层则相反;随土层加深有机碳稳定性增强、活性降低;土壤有机碳随恢复进展总体上具碳汇效应,且早期其量少质低、表聚性强、碳汇效应不显著、固碳潜力大,后期则相反.加强保护喀斯特森林,使其自然恢复,有利于土壤质量的提高和有机碳的累积.     

Profile carbon and nutrient levels and management effect on soil quality indicators in the Mardi watershed of Nepal

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient stocks in the soil profile (0–80 cm) in four dominant land uses [forest, upland maize and millet (Bari), irrigated rice (Khet), and grazed systems)] and 0–15 cm depth along elevation gradient 1000 to 3000 m, and aspects in the Mardi watershed were measured. Soil properties at 0–15 cm depth were also measured in undisturbed forest, forest with free grazed system, managed forest, and grassland to compare the soil quality index (SQI) of topsoils. The SOC and nutrient concentration decreased with increasing profile depth. The SOC and N contents in the 0–15 cm depth of forest soils were significantly greater than the corresponding depth in upland maize and millet, irrigated rice, and grazed systems. On the other hand, available P and K concentrations at the same depth were significantly greater in upland maize and millet compared to irrigated rice, grazed system, and forest land uses. The SOC and N stocks (0–15 cm) increased from agricultural land at the valley bottom at about 1000 m above mean sea level (a.s.l.) (24 and 3 Mg ha^?1) compared to undisturbed forest (74 and 5.9 Mg ha^?1) at 2600 m a.s.l, demonstrating the effects of cover and elevation. Both SOC and N stocks decreased sharply in grassland (54 and 4.5 Mg ha^?1) at elevations of 2600 to 2800 m a.s.l. compared with undisturbed forest. Above 2800 m a.s.l. the cover type changed from grass to coniferous forest, and the SOC and N stocks steadily increased at the summit level (3200 m a.s.l.) to 65 and 6.9 Mg ha^?1, respectively. Slope and aspect significantly affected SOC with the northwest aspect having significantly higher concentrations (46 g kg^?1) than other aspects. Similarly, SOC concentration at the lowest slope position (39 g kg^?1) was significantly higher than the middle or upper positions (25 and 13 g kg^?1). Integrated soil quality index (SQI) values varied from 0.17 to 0.69 for different land uses, being highest for undisturbed forest and lowest for irrigated rice. The SQI demonstrated the degradation status of land uses in the following ascending order: irrigated rice?>?grazed system?>?forest with free grazing?>?upland maize and millet?>?managed forest?>?grass land?>?undisturbed forest. The irrigated rice, grazed system, upland maize and millet, and freely grazed forestlands need immediate attention to minimize further deterioration of soil quality in these land uses.     

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Biochar has the potential to decrease salinity and nutrient loss of saline soil. We investigated the effects of biochar amendment (0–10 g kg⁻¹) on salinity of saline soil (2.8‰ salt) in NaCl leaching and nutrient retention by conducting column leaching experiments. The biochar was produced in situ from Salix fragilis L. via a fire-water coupled process. The soil columns irrigated with 15 cm of water showed that biochar amendment (4 g kg⁻¹) decreased the concentration Na⁺ by 25.55% in the first irrigation and to 60.30% for the second irrigation in sandy loam layer over the corresponding control (CK). Meanwhile, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of soil after the first and second irrigation was 1.62 and 0.54, respectively, which were 15.2% and 49.5% lower than CK. The marked increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from 0.15 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹ for CK to 0.39 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹, following 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar addition, was conducive to salt leaching. Besides, biochar use (4 g kg⁻¹) increased NH₄⁺-N and Olsen-P by 63.63% and 62.50% over the CK, but accelerated NO₃^–-N leaching. Since 15 cm hydrostatic pressure would result in salt accumulation of root zone, we would recommend using 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar, 30 cm of water to ease the problem of salt leaching from the surface horizon to the subsoil. This study would provide a guidance to remediate the saline soil in the Yellow River Delta by judicious application of biochar and irrigation.     

Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation in Abandoned Croplands on the Loess Plateau

The Grain to Green Program in China which began in 1999 led to the conversion of 0.64 million ha of cropland to grassland on steep sloping landscapes. However, the pattern of natural vegetation succession following cropland has not been well represented in previous regional syntheses of land use change effects on soil organic carbon (SOC). A chronosequence study focusing on the vegetation succession and soil carbon stocks was conducted in the center of the Loess Plateau. The chronosequence included fields of 0, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 25 years of self‐restoration after cropland abandonment, as well as a natural grassland reference. Plant coverage, species richness and plant biomass increased significantly with time of cropland abandonment. Over time, the species composition more nearly resembled a natural grasslands community. Cropland abandonment replenished SOC stocks by 3.6 kg C m⁻² during the 25‐year self‐restoration, but the SOC accumulation was restricted to the upper soil profiles (0–60 cm). SOC accumulation rate was 88 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in 0–30 cm and 55 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ in 30–60 cm soil depth, respectively. These carbon stocks were still significantly lower than those found in the natural grassland soil. Our results suggest that the recovery of plant communities and SOC stocks appears to be slow in this semiarid environment without revegetation effort along with appropriate field management, although the post‐agricultural soils have a high potential for carbon sequestration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil organic carbon stock for reclaimed minesoils in northeastern Ohio

Reclamation of disturbed soils is done with the primary objective of restoring the land for agronomic or forestry land use. Reclamation followed by sustainable management can restore the depleted soil organic carbon (SOC) stock over time. This study was designed to assess SOC stocks of reclaimed and undisturbed minesoils under different cropping systems in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio (40°32·33′ N and 81°33·86′ W). Prior to reclamation, the soil was classified as Bethesda Soil Series (loamy‐skeletal, mixed, acid, mesic Typic Udorthent). The reclaimed and unmined sites were located side by side and were under forage (fescue—Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and alfa grass—Stipa tenacissima L.), and corn (Zea mays L.)—soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation. All fields were chisel plowed annually except unmined forage, and fertilized only when planted to corn. The manure was mostly applied on unmined fields planted to corn, and reclaimed fields planted to forage and corn. The variability in soil properties (i.e., soil bulk density, pH and soil organic carbon stock) ranged from moderate to low across all land uses in both reclaimed and unmined fields for 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths. The soil nitrogen stock ranged from low to moderate for unmined fields and moderate to high in some reclaimed fields. Soil pH was always less than 6·7 in both reclaimed and unmined fields. The mean soil bulk density was consistently lower in unmined (1·27 mg m⁻³ and 1·22 mg m⁻³) than reclaimed fields (1·39 mg m⁻³ and 1·34 mg m⁻³) planted to forage and corn, respectively. The SOC and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations were higher for reclaimed forage (33·30 g kg⁻¹; 3·23 g kg⁻¹) and cornfields (21·22 g kg⁻¹; 3·66 g kg⁻¹) than unmined forage (17·47 g kg⁻¹; 1·98 g kg⁻¹) and cornfield (17·70 g kg⁻¹; 2·76 g kg⁻¹). The SOC stocks in unmined soils did not differ among forage, corn or soybean fields but did so in reclaimed soils for 0–10 cm depth. The SOC stock for reclaimed forage (39·6 mg ha⁻¹ for 0–10 cm and 28·6 mg ha⁻¹ for 10–20 cm depths) and cornfields (28·3 mg ha⁻¹; 32·2 mg ha⁻¹) were higher than that for the unmined forage (22·7 mg ha⁻¹; 17·6 mg ha⁻¹) and corn (21·5 mg ha⁻¹; 26·8 mg ha⁻¹) fields for both depths. These results showed that the manure application increased SOC stocks in soil. Overall this study showed that if the reclamation is done properly, there is a large potential for SOC sequestration in reclaimed soils. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of land use on soil organic carbon stocks in the humid tropics of NE Tanzania

The conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land use is considered as a major cause for a decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, the extent and impact of different land uses on SOC stock development is highly uncertain, especially for tropical Africa due to a lack of reliable data. Interactions of SOC with the soil mineral phase can modify the susceptibility of SOC to become mineralized. Pedogenic Fe‐, Al‐oxides and clay potentially affect SOC stabilization in highly weathered soils typically found in the humid tropics. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of different land uses on SOC stock on such soils. For that purpose, 10 pedologically similar, deeply weathered acidic soils (Acrisols, Alisols) in the Eastern Usambara Mountains (Amani Nature Reserve, NE Tanzania) under contrasting land use were sampled to a depth of 100 cm. The calculated mean SOC stocks were 17.5 kg C m^?2, 16.8 kg C m^?2, 16.9 kg C m^?2, and 20.0 kg C m^?2 for the four forests, two tea plantations, three croplands, and one homegarden, respectively. A significant difference in mean SOC stock of 1.3 kg C m^?2 was detected between forest and cropland land use for the 0–10 cm depth increment. No further significant impacts of land use on SOC stocks were observed. All soils have a clearly clay‐dominated texture. They are characterized by high content of pedogenic oxides with 29 to 47 g kg^?1 measured for the topsoils and 36 to 65 g kg^?1 for the subsoils. No positive significant relationship was found between SOC and clay content. Statistically significant positive relationships existed between oxalate‐extractable Fe, Al, and SOC content for cropland soils only. Compared to data published in literature the SOC stocks determined in our study were generally high independent of the established land use. It appears that efficient SOC stabilization mechanisms are counteracting the higher disturbance regime under agricultural land use in these highly weathered tropical soils.     

Assessing soil quality indices based on soil organic carbon fractions in different long-term wheat systems under semiarid conditions

The literature shows a great number of soil quality indices (SQ_I) based on organic matter and its fractions. Our objectives were to determine the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon fractions and SQ_I in three production systems based on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The three production systems involved wheat monoculture under conventional tillage and no-tillage (WW_CT and WW_NT, respectively) and traditional management, wheat under conventional tillage and grazing of natural grasses, alternated one year each (WG_CT). In turn, each treatment was divided into N-P-fertilized (f) and non-fertilized (nf). We analysed SOC, labile fractions and their ratios (SQ_I) at 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths. SOC was significantly higher in WW_NT-f than in WW_CT-f and WG_CT-f at 0–5 and 0–20 cm range. Conversely, the lowest concentration was found in WW_NT and WW_CT in non-fertilized plots. Particulate organic C (POC, 105–2,000 μm) was significantly affected by tillage at 0–5 cm with the greatest concentrations found in WW_NT (mean = 3.2 g kg⁻¹) followed by WG_CT and WW_CT (mean = 2.0 g kg⁻¹). Soils under CT showed the lowest lability index (LI) values, whereas the conversion to NT increased it (0.74–1.28). Carbon management index (CMI) increased significantly at the 0–20 cm seven years after NT establishment compared to WW_CT. SQ_I such as LI, CMI and SOC/silt+clay were more sensitive for differentiating production systems, whereas C pool index and C/N were more sensitive for differentiating the fertilizer application effect. Considering improvement in SQ_I and carbon fractions as indicators of better soil quality, adoption of NT improved the soil quality in the semiarid rainfed conditions in the short term.     

Response of soil C:N:P stoichiometry,organic carbon stock,and release to wetland grasslandification in Mu Us Desert

Purpose

Wetlands in Mu Us Desert have severely been threatened by grasslandification over the past decades. Therefore, we studied the impacts of grasslandification on soil carbon (C):nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) stoichiometry, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, and release in wetland-grassland transitional zone in Mu Us Desert.

Materials and methods

From wetland to grassland, the transition zone was divided into five different successional stages according to plant communities and soil water conditions. At every stage, soil physical and chemical properties were determined and C:N:P ratios were calculated. SOC stock and soil respirations were also determined to assess soil carbon storage and release.

Results and discussion

After grasslandification, SOC contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 100.2 to 31.79 g kg^?1 in June and from 103.7 to 32.5 g kg^?1 in October; total nitrogen (TN) contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 3.65 to 1.85 g kg^?1 in June and from 6.43 to 3.36 g kg^?1 in October; and total phosphorus (TP) contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 179.4 to 117.4 mg kg^?1 in June and from 368.6 to 227.8 mg kg^?1 in October. From stages Typha angustifolia wetland (TAW) to Phalaris arundinacea L. (PAL), in the top soil (0–10 cm), C:N ratios decreased from 32.2 to 16.9 in June and from 19.0 to 11.8 in October; C:P ratios decreased from 1519.2 to 580.5 in June and from 19.0 to 11.8 in October; and N:P ratios decreased from 46.9 to 34.8 in June and changed from 34.9 to 34.0 in October. SOC stock decreased and soil respiration increased with grasslandification. The decrease of SOC, TN, and TP contents was attributed to the reduction of aboveground biomass and mineralization of SOM, and the decrease of soil C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios was mainly attributed to the faster decreasing speeds of SOC than TN and TP. The reduction of aboveground biomass and increased SOC release led by enhanced soil respiration were the main reasons of SOC stock decrease.

Conclusions

Grasslandification led to lowers levels of SOC, TN, TP, and soil C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Grasslandification also led to higher SOC loss, and increased soil respiration was the main reason. Since it is difficult to restore grassland to original wetland, efficient practices should be conducted to reduce water drainage from wetland to prevent grasslandification.

     

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.     

Nitrogen fertilization and cropping systems effects on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen pools under chisel-plow tillage in Illinois

Agricultural soils can be a major sink for atmospheric carbon (C) with adoption of recommended management practices (RMPs). Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization and cropping systems on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N (TN) concentrations and pools. Replicated soil samples were collected in May 2004 to 90 cm depth from a 23-year-old experiment at the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Monmouth, IL. The SOC and TN concentrations and pools, soil bulk density (ρ_b) and soil C:N ratio were measured for five N rates [0 (N₀), 70 (N₁), 140 (N₂), 210 (N₃) and 280 (N₄) kg N ha⁻¹] and two cropping systems [continuous corn (Zea mays L.) (CC), and corn–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation (CS)]. Long-term N fertilization and cropping systems significantly influenced SOC concentrations and pools to 30 cm depth. The SOC pool in 0–30 cm depth ranged from 68.4 Mg ha⁻¹ for N₀ to 75.8 Mg ha⁻¹ for N₄. Across all N treatments, the SOC pool in 0–30 cm depth for CC was 4.7 Mg ha⁻¹ greater than for CS. Similarly, TN concentrations and pools were also significantly affected by N rates. The TN pool for 0–30 cm depth ranged from 5.36 Mg ha⁻¹ for N₀ to 6.14 Mg ha⁻¹ for N₄. In relation to cropping systems, the TN pool for 0–20 cm depth for CC was 0.4 Mg ha⁻¹ greater than for CS. The increase in SOC and TN pools with higher N rates is attributed to the increased amount of biomass production in CC and CS systems. Increasing N rates significantly decreased ρ_b for 0–30 cm and decreased the soil C:N ratio for 0–10 cm soil depth. However, none of the measured soil properties were significantly correlated with N rates and cropping systems below 30 cm soil depth. We conclude that in the context of developing productive and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems on a site and soil specific basis, the results from this study is helpful to strengthening the database of management effects on SOC storage in the Mollisols of Midwestern U.S.     

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.     

Long-term effects of agronomic practices on the soil organic carbon sequestration in Chernozem

The study was based on data from selected long-term field trials established at the Experimental Fields of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad (Serbia). The effect of tillage systems on SOC concentration and SOC stock was most pronounced at 0–10 cm depth. In a 0–40 cm soil layer, in a 7-year period, no-till (NT) sequestrated 863 kg SOC ha^?1 yr^?1 more compared to moldboard plow tillage (PT), while the effects of disc tillage (DT) and chisel tillage (CT) were not significantly different. Unfertilized three-crop rotation (CSW) compared to two-crop rotation (CW) enhanced SOC storage in a 0–30 cm soil layer by 151 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in a 56-year period. Within fertilized treatments, SOC concentration was highest under continuous corn (CC). Mineral fertilization (F) non-significantly increased the SOC stock compared to no fertilization in corn monoculture in a 32-year period. The incorporation of mineral fertilizers and harvest residues (F + HR) and mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (F + FYM) sequestered 195 and 435 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 more than the unfertilized plot, respectively, in a 0–30 cm soil layer, in a 35-year period. Irrigation did not significantly affect SOC sequestration.     

县域尺度红壤丘陵区水稻土有机碳模拟

区域尺度土壤有机碳储量的时空变化及其管理是全球气候变化和农业可持续发展研究的重要内容。本文以中亚热带红壤丘陵区的江西省余江县为例,基于12a的长期试验和1998年、2001年的野外定位采样对比研究,利用反硝化分解模型?DNDC(Denitrification-Decomposition)在田块和县域尺度研究了县域尺度表层(0~20 cm)水稻土有机碳储量的时空变化规律。结果表明,以长期试验数据验证,DNDC模型可以较好地模拟水稻土表层有机碳的长期动态变化。2001年农田水稻土(面积为3.6×108m2)表层(0~20 cm)有机碳总储量为2.9×109kg,平均土壤有机碳密度为6.0 kg m-2。1998年至2001年余江县水稻土表层土壤有机碳库逐年增加,年际平均变化量为3.0×107kg。通过对余江县水稻田模拟不同碳投入的情景,分析预测1998年至2017年土壤有机碳储量,种植绿肥提高秸秆还田比率同时减少化肥的投入,可有效地增加红壤区域有机碳蓄积。     

Soil organic carbon changes in particle-size fractions following cultivation of Black soils in China

Soil texture can be an important control on soil organic carbon (SOC) retention and dynamics. The (clay + silt)-sized SOC pool (SOC < 20 μm) in non-cultivated or grassland soils has been proposed to reach an equilibrium or maximum level named protective capacity. Proper knowledge of SOC in this size fraction in non-cultivated and cultivated Black soils is important to evaluate management-induced changes in SOC in NE China. Twenty-seven paired soil samples (non-cultivated vs. cultivated) were collected in the Black soil zone in Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. Bulk soil was dispersed in water with an ultrasonic probe and then soil size fractions were collected using the pipette technique for SOC analyses. Soil organic carbon in bulk soil and size fractions was measured by dry combustion. Average content of SOC < 20 μm was 23.2 g C kg⁻¹ at the 0–30 cm depth for the non-cultivated soils, accounting for 75.1% of the total SOC at the same depth. There was significant positive relationship between soil clay plus silt content and SOC < 20 μm in non-cultivated soils. Accordingly, a model of the maximum SOC < 20 μm in 0–30 cm depth of non-cultivated Black soils was developed: y = 0.36x where y is the maximum SOC < 20 μm pool (g C kg⁻¹) and x is the percentage of clay + silt (<20 μm) content. The average content of SOC < 20 μm was 18.7 g C kg⁻¹ at 0–30 cm depth for cultivated soils, accounting for 81.5% of total SOC. This average value of SOC was 4.4 g C kg⁻¹ less than the maximum value (23.1 g C kg⁻¹) and accounted for 55.0% of the difference of SOC between non-cultivated and cultivated Black soils. Cultivation resulted in 45.0% loss of sand-sized (>20 μm) SOC concentration relative to SOC < 20 μm. This result indicates that SOC < 20 μm and sand-sized SOC both play important roles in SOC dynamics resulting from management practices. This model can be applied to calculate the actual potential to restore SOC for cultivated Black soils under conservation tillage in NE China.     

Impact of cultivation on soil organic carbon and carbon sequestration potential in semiarid regions of China

Dynamic changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) have become a popular topic in global research on organic carbon as part of the increasing attention being paid to food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, the semiarid regions of China were selected as a research focus, and SOC data from 1980 to 2015 were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 software. SOC in farmland varied according to cultivated land type, mulching material type and planting method in the studied regions. The SOC content is 10.3–10.8 g kg⁻¹ in supplementally irrigated land and flat dry land, 7.1–8.7 g kg⁻¹ in terraced dry land and river beach land, and 6.2–6.4 g kg⁻¹ in sloping dry land. The SOC content increased to 16.1–17.4 g kg⁻¹ when crop stalks were used as mulch. The increase was only 11.5–13.5 g kg⁻¹ in soils mulched with film or sandstone. The SOC value in wheat, maize and potatoes sown on single or double ridges was 2.4%–3.2%, 35.7%–36.4% and 4.4%–4.8%, respectively, which are higher than the values for wheat, maize and potatoes sown using the flat planting method. The SOC sequestering potential also varied according to the previously noted factors and was improved from 224.1% to 383.8% depending on cultivated land type, from 96.5% to 182.3% depending on mulching material type and from 96.1% to 191.3% depending on planting method. The SOC sequestering potential can be improved by 453.2%–757.4% with the integration of the optimal cultivated land type, mulching material type and planting method. Thus, there is substantial soil carbon sequestration potential in China's semiarid regions.     

Soil organic carbon in semiarid alpine regions: the spatial distribution,stock estimation,and environmental controls

Purpose

Soil organic carbon (SOC) in alpine regions is characterized by a strong local heterogeneity, which may contribute to relatively large uncertainties in regional SOC stock estimation. However, the patterns, stock, and environmental controls of SOC in semiarid alpine regions are still less understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively quantify the stock and controls of SOC in semiarid alpine regions.

Materials and methods

Soils from 138 study sites across a typical semiarid alpine basin (1755–5051 m, ~1?×?10⁴ km²) are sampled at 0–10, 10–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm. SOC content, bulk density, soil texture, and soil pH are determined. Both a classical statistical model (i.e., a multiple linear regression, MLR) and a machine learning technique (i.e., a random forest, RF) are applied to estimate the SOC stock at a basin scale. The study further quantifies the environmental controls of SOC based on a general linear model (GLM) coupled with the structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results and discussion

SOC density varies significantly with topographic factors, with the highest values occurring at an elevation zone of ~3400 m. The results show that the SOC is more accurately estimated by the RF compared to the MLR model, with a total stock of 219.33 Tg C and an average density of 21.25 kg C m^?2 at 0–60 cm across the study basin. The GLM approach reveals that the topography is seen to explain about 58.11% of the total variation in SOC density at 0–10 cm, of which the largest two proportions are attributable to the elevation (44.32%) and the aspect factor (11.25%). The SEM approach further indicates that, of the climatic, vegetative, and edaphic factors examined, the mean annual temperature, which is mainly shaped by topography, exerts the most significant control on SOC, mainly through its direct effect, and also, through indirect effect as delivered by vegetation type.

Conclusions

The results of this study highlight the presence of high stocks of organic carbon in soils of semiarid alpine regions, indicating a fundamental role played by topography in affecting the overall SOC, which is mainly attained through its effects on the mean annual temperature.

     

Organic carbon and stable C isotope in conservation agriculture and conventional systems

Conservation agriculture might have the potential to increase soil organic C content compared to conventional tillage based systems. The present study quantified soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil C derived from C₃ (wheat) and C₄ (maize) plant species using δ¹³C stable isotope. Soil with 16 y of continuous application of zero tillage (ZT) or conventional tillage (CT), monoculture (M) or rotation (R) of wheat and maize, and with (+r) and without retention (−r) in the field of crop residues were studied in the central highlands of Mexico. The highest SOC content was found in the 0-5 cm layer under ZTM and ZTR with residues retention. The soil cultivated with maize showed a higher SOC content in the 0-10 cm layer with residue retention than without residue. In the 10-20 cm layer, the highest SOC content was found in the CT treatment with residue retention. The SOC stock expressed as equivalent soil mass was greatest in the 0-20 cm layer of the ZTM (wheat and maize) and ZTR cultivated treatments with residue retention. After 16 y, the highest content of soil δ¹³C was found in ZTM + r and CTM + r treated soil cultivated with maize; −16.56‰ and −18.08‰ in the 0-5 cm layer, −18.41‰ and −18.02‰ in the 5-10 cm layer and −18.59‰ and −18.72‰ in the 10-20 cm layer respectively. All treatments had a higher percentages of C-C₃ (derived from wheat residues or the earlier forest) than C-C₄ (derived from maize residues). The highest percentages of C-C₄, was found in ZTM + r and CTM + r treated soil cultivated with maize, i.e. 33.0% and 13.0% in 0-5 cm layer, 9.1% and 14.3% in the 5-10 cm layer and 5.0% and 6.8% in 10-20 cm layer, respectively. The gross SOC turnover was lower in soil with residue retention than without residues. It was found that the ZT system with residue retention and rotation with wheat is a practice with a potential to retain organic carbon in soil.     

Land use effects on microbial biomass C, β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase activities,and availability,storage, and age of organic C in soil

Microbial biomass, β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase activities, and availability, storage, and age of soil organic C were investigated after 26 years of conversion from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) to forest (Eucaliptus robusta or Leucaena leucocephala), pasture (mixture of tropical grasses), and to vegetable cropping (agriculture) in a vertisol in Puerto Rico. Soil organic C (SOC) at 0–100 cm was similar under Leucaena (22.8 kg C/m²), Eucalyptus (18.6 kg C/m²), and pasture (17.2 kg C/m²), which were higher than under agriculture (13.0 kg C/m²). Soil organic N (SON) at 0–100 cm was similar under the land uses evaluated which ranged from 1.70 (under agriculture) to 2.28 kg N/m² (under Leucaena forest). Microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) of the 0–15-cm soil layer could be ranked as: pasture > Leucaena = Eucalyptus > agriculture. The percentages of SOC and SON present as MBC and MBN, respectively, were nearly 1% in pasture and less than 0.50% in forest under Leucaena or Eucalyptus and agricultural soil. The activity of β-glucosidase of the 0–15-cm soil layer could be ranked as: Leucaena = Eucalyptus > pasture > agriculture; while β-glucosaminidase activity was ranked as: Eucalyptus > Leucaena = pasture > agriculture. The soil δ ¹³C changed from 1996 to 2006 in forest under Eucalyptus (18.7‰ to 21.2‰), but not under Leucaena (20.7‰ to 20.8‰). The soil under Leucaena preserved a greater proportion of old C compared to the forest under Eucalyptus; the former had an increased soil mineralizable C from the current vegetation inputs. The soil under agriculture had the lowest enzyme activities associated with C cycling, lowest percentage of SOC as MBC, highest percentage of SOC present as mineralizable C, and highest percentage of MBC present as mineralizable C compared to the other land uses.     

Soil carbon sequestration and crop yield in response to application of chemical fertilizer combined with cattle manure to an artificially eroded Phaeozem

Organic manure application is a feasible approach to alleviate the deterioration of soil erosion on soil organic carbon (SOC). However, to what extent manure application can restore carbon contents in SOC fractions in the eroded Phaeozems remains unknown. A 5-year field experiment was conducted in an artificially eroded Phaeozem with up to 30 cm of topsoil being removed. Chemical fertiliser, or chemical fertiliser plus cattle manure was applied. The contents of SOC were 23.6, 21.6 and 15.1 g C kg^?1 soil for non-soil removal control, 10 and 30 cm of topsoil removal, respectively. Compared with the chemical fertiliser-only treatment, the chemical fertiliser plus manure application markedly increased SOC contents by 30–45% and C sequestration rates by 7.1–9.0-fold, especially in the fraction of 53–250 μm particulate organic carbon. However, with manure applied, SOC content in the fraction of mineral associated organic carbon in the 30 cm topsoil-removed soil was 2.9 g kg^?1, 14.7% less than control (3.4 g kg^?1). The combination of chemical fertliser and manure application effectively restored SOC in the eroded Phaeozems mainly through increasing the size of 53–250 μm particulate organic C fraction, but did not improve the SOC stability in severely eroded Phaeozems.