Contribution and stability of forest-derived soil organic carbon during woody encroachment in a tropical savanna. A case study in Gabon

In this study, we quantified the contribution of forest-derived carbon (FDC) to the soil organic C (SOC) pool along a natural succession from savanna (S) to mixed Marantaceae forest (MMF) in the Lopè National Park, Gabon. Four 1-ha plots, corresponding to different stages along the natural succession, were used to determine the SOC stock and soil C isotope composition (δ¹³C) to derive the FDC contribution in different soil layers down to 1 m depth. Besides, to investigate changes in SOC stability, we determined the ¹⁴C concentration of SOC to 30 cm depth and derived turnover time (TT). Results indicated that SOC increased only at the end of the succession in the MMF stage, which stored 46% more SOC (41 Mg C ha^?1) in the 0–30 cm depth than the S stage (28.8 Mg C ha^?1). The FDC contribution increased along forest succession affecting mainly the top layers of the initial successional stages to 15 cm depth and reaching 70 cm depth in the MMF stage. The TT suggests a small increase in stability in the 0–5 cm layer from S (146 years) to MMF (157 years) stages. Below 5 cm, the increase in stability was high, suggesting that FDC can remain in soils for a much longer time than savanna-derived C. In conclusion, the natural succession toward Marantaceae forests can positively impact climate change resulting in large SOC stocks, which can be removed from the atmosphere and stored for a much longer time in forest soils compared to savanna soils.     

Grass-dominated vegetation, not species-diverse natural savanna, replaces degraded tropical forests on the southern edge of the Amazon Basin

Changes in land-uses, fire regimes, and climate are expected to promote savanna expansion in the Amazon Basin, but most studies that come to this conclusion fail to define “savanna” clearly or imply that natural savannas of native species will spread at the expense of forest. Given their different conservation values, we sought to differentiate between species-diverse natural savannas and other types of fire-maintained grass-dominated vegetation that replaced tropical forests between 1986 and 2005 in 22,500 km² of eastern lowland Bolivia. Analysis of Landsat TM and CBERS-2 satellite imagery revealed that, in addition to 1200 km² (7.1%) of deforestation for agriculture and planted pastures, 1420 km² (8.4%) of forest was replaced by derived savannas. Sampling in 2008 showed that natural savannas differed from forest-replacing derived savannas floristically, in soil fertility, and in fuel loads. Natural savannas typically occurred on sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soils whereas most derived savannas were on comparatively fertile soils. Fuel loads in derived savannas were twice those of natural savannas. Natural savannas supported a diversity of grass species, whereas derived savannas were usually dominated by Guadua paniculata (native bamboo), Urochloa spp. (exotic forages), Imperata brasiliensis (native invasive), Digitaria insularis (native ruderal), or the native fire-adapted herb Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae). Trees in derived savannas were forest species (e.g., Anadenanthera colubrina) and fire-tolerant palms (Attalea spp.), not thick-barked species characteristic of savanna environments (e.g., Curatella americana). In addressing tropical vegetation transitions it is clearly important to distinguish between native species-diverse ecosystems and novel derived vegetation of similar structure.     

Ecosystem carbon stock across a chronosequence of spruce plantations established on cutovers of a high-elevation region

Purpose

This study quantified the above- and belowground carbon (C) stocks across a chronosequence of spruce (Picea asperata) plantations established on cutovers and explored the turning point after which the increase in biomass C slowed or biomass C decreased for guiding forest management.

Materials and methods

We assessed above- and belowground plant biomass stocks at 11 sites in three regions, representing 12- to 46-year-old spruce plantations established on clear-cut areas in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Biomass and C stocks of trees, understory vegetation, and forest floor litter were determined from plot-level inventories and destructive sampling. Fine root (<2 mm) biomass and mineral soil organic C (SOC) stock were estimated from soil cores. Tree biomass was quantified using allometric equations based on diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H).

Results and discussion

Plant biomass C stocks in spruce plantations rapidly increased from 12 to 20 years at a rate of 7.8 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1, but decreased from 25 to 46 years at a rate of 0.79 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1. SOC stocks in spruce plantations gradually decreased from 12 to 46 years at a rate of 4.4 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1. Total C stock in the ecosystem remained unchanged for the first 20 years after the planting of spruce on cutovers, because the buildup of C stock in spruce biomass during the first 20 years was offset by the decrease in SOC. From 21 to 46 years after the reforestation, ecosystem C stock even decreased at a rate of 5.2 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1. The contribution of the understory vegetation, forest floor litter, and fine root to ecosystem C stock was low (<5.0 %) in the spruce plantations.

Conclusions

Ecosystem C stock in the spruce forest established on the cutover in the eastern Tibetan Plateau was related to stand age. During the first 20 years, this ecosystem was C neutral. However, aged (20–46 years) spruce plantation ecosystem can be a C source if no management was implemented to revitalize tree growth, promote understory vegetation, and enhance SOC accumulation.

     

Impact of Land Uses,Agrophysical Variables and Altitudinal Gradient on Soil Organic Carbon Concentration of North‐Eastern Himalayan Region of India

In the fragile hilly ecosystem of North‐eastern Himalayan Region (NEHR) of India, interaction of land use change and soil organic carbon (SOC) holds significance in sustaining land productivity. However, because of limited data, the effect of land use on SOC inventory at regional level is poorly quantified. The present study assessed the influence of seven major land uses and agrophysical variables (soil texture, bulk density, annual rainfall and mean temperature) on SOC concentration and stock across altitudinal gradients (6–3,500 masl) of NEHR of India. Results revealed that non‐agricultural land uses (grasslands and forests) registered significantly higher SOC concentration (2·20 to 2·51%) and stock (35·2–42·1 Mg ha⁻¹) compared with agricultural (shifting and settled‐up and lowlands), plantation and horticultural land uses (SOC, 1·44 to 1·63%; stock, 27·4–28·4 Mg ha⁻¹). Principal component analysis exhibited that the variation in SOC concentration among the land uses was mostly contributed by finer fractions of soil separates (silt and clay contents), and altitudinal gradient led variation in climatic variables (rainfall and temperature). Trend analyses depicted that SOC increased with an increase in rainfall and clay content but decreased with mean temperature and soil bulk density. Along the altitudinal gradient (6 to 1,000 masl), an inconsistent increase in silt + clay, annual rainfall, SOC concentration, and stock was also observed. However, beyond 1,000 masl, the corresponding increase was linear. The wide variability in SOC concentration and stock, therefore, resulted from the interaction of land uses, altitudinal gradients, textural gradients and climatic variables Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrogen flux patterns through Oxisols and Ultisols in tropical forests of Cameroon,Central Africa

We lack an understanding of nitrogen (N) cycles in tropical forests of Africa, although the environmental conditions in this region, such as soil type, vegetation, and climate, are distinct when compared with other tropical forests. Herein, we simultaneously quantified N fluxes through precipitation, throughfall, and 0-, 15-, and 30-cm soil solutions, as well as litterfall, in two forests with different soil acidity (Ultisols at the MV village (exchangeable Al³⁺ in 0–30 cm, 126 kmol_c ha^–1) and Oxisols at the AD village (exchangeable Al³⁺ in 0–30 cm, 59.8 kmol_c ha^–1)) over 2 years in Cameroon. The N fluxes to the O horizon via litterfall plus throughfall were similar for both sites (MV and AD, 243 and 273 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1, respectively). Those values were remarkably large relative to other tropical forests, reflecting the dominance of legumes in this region. The total dissolved N flux from the O horizon at the MV was 28 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1, while it was 127 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 mainly as NO₃^–-N (~80%) at the AD. The distinctly different pattern of N cycles could be caused by stronger soil acidity at the MV, which was considered to promote a superficial root mat formation in the O horizon despite the marked dry season (fine root biomass in the O horizon and its proportion to the 1-m-soil profile: 1.5 Mg ha^–1 and 31% at the MV; 0.3 Mg ha^–1 and 9% at the AD). Combined with the published data for N fluxes in tropical forests, we have shown that Oxisols, in combination with N-fixing species, have large N fluxes from the O horizon; meanwhile, Ultisols do not have large fluxes because of plant uptake through the root mat in the O horizon. Consequently, our results suggest that soil type can be a major factor influencing the pattern of N fluxes from the O horizon via the effects of soil acidity, thereby determining the contrasting plant–soil N cycles in the tropical forests of Africa.     

Assessing and mapping topsoil organic carbon stock at regional scale: A scorpan kriging approach conditional on soil map delineations and land use

In order to assess the potential of soils as C reservoir at regional scale, accurate estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) are required, and different approaches can be used. This study presents a method to assess and map topsoil organic carbon stock (Mg ha⁻¹) at regional scale for the whole Emilia Romagna plain in Northern Italy (about 12 000 km²). A Scorpan Kriging approach is proposed, which combines the trend component of soil properties as derived from the 1:50 000 soil map with geostatistical modeling of the stochastic, locally varying but spatially correlated component. The trend component is described in terms of varying local means, calculated taking into account soil type and dominant land use. The resulting values of SOC, sand, silt, and clay contents are retained for calculating topsoil SOC stocks, using a set of locally calibrated pedotransfer functions (PTFs) to estimate bulk density. The maps of each soil attribute are validated over a subset of 2000 independent and randomly selected observations. As compared to the standard approach based on the mean values for delineation, results show lower standard errors for all the variables used for SOC stock assessment, with a relative improvement (RI) ranging from 4 per cent for SOC per cent to 24 per cent for silt. The total C stock (0–30 cm) in the study area is assessed as 73·24 ± 6·67 M t, with an average stock of 62·30 ± 5·55 Mg ha⁻¹. The SOC stock estimates are used to infer possible SOC stock changes in terms of carbon sequestration potential and potential carbon loss (PCL). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Soil organic carbon stocks of conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf forests of Spain

Forests represent an important resource for mitigating the greenhouse effect, but which is the contributions of the different forest types in sequestering and keeping soil C for a longer time is still uncertain, particularly in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this work is to quantify the soil organic C (SOC) stock in the 0–30 and 0–100?cm depths of mineral soil, according to the main forest types—conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf—and the different climatic zones of Spain, using a database comprising records of 1,974 pedons. Conifers and broadleaf forests show a trend in SOC stock distribution, with the stocks decreasing with increasing Mediterranean conditions. On average, in the 0–30?cm depth, the soils under broadleaf store the highest amount of SOC (5.9?±?0.1?kg?m^?2), followed by conifers (5.6?±?0.1?kg?m^?2) and evergreen broadleaf soils with an amount always lower (3.4?±?0.2?kg?m^?2). Climate and forest cover are the principal factors in determining the amount of SOC stored in Spanish forests. The significantly higher amount of SOC found in conifers and broadleaf forests than the evergreen broadleaf forests leads us to hypothesize a decrease in the SOC if climate change will increase drought periods with a consequent expansion of this latter forest type. Correlations between the SOC stocks under the different forest types, climate and soil features support the major role of climate and vegetation in controlling SOC sequestration in the Mediterranean area, while the effect of texture is less pronounced. Assigning a precise SOC stock to the different forest types, according to each climatic zone, would notably help to obtain an accurate SOC estimate at national level and for future assessments of the status of this large C reservoir.     

Influence of forest disturbance on CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes from larch forest soil in the permafrost taiga region of eastern Siberia

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of increasing forest disturbances on greenhouse gas budgets in a taiga forest in eastern Siberia, CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from the soils were measured during the growing season in intact, burnt and clear-felled larch forests (4–5 years after the disturbance). Soil temperature and moisture were higher at the two disturbed sites than at the forest site. A 64–72% decrease in the Q ₁₀ value of soil CO₂ flux from the disturbed sites compared with the forest site (5.92) suggested a reduction in root respiration and a dominance of organic matter decomposition at the disturbed sites. However, the cumulative CO₂ emissions (May–August) were not significantly different among the sites (2.81–2.90 Mg C ha^?1 per 3 months). This might be because decreased larch root respiration was compensated for by increased organic matter decomposition resulting from an increase in the temperature and root respiration of invading vegetation at the disturbed sites. The CH₄ uptake (kg C ha^?1 per 4 months [May–September]) at the burnt site was significantly higher (–0.15) than the uptake at the forest (–0.045) and clear-felled sites (0.0027). Although there were no significant differences among the sites, N₂O emission (kg N ha^?1 per 4 months) was slightly lower at the burnt site (0.013) and higher at the clear-felled site (0.068) than at the forest site (0.038). This different influence of burning and tree felling on CH₄ and N₂O fluxes might result from changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil with respect to forest fire.     

Tillage Effects on Soil Quality Indicators and Nematode Abundance in Loessial Soil under Long‐Term No‐Till Production

Abstract: Soil quality indicators and nematode abundance were characterized in a loessial soil under long‐term conservation tillage to evaluate the effects of no‐till, double‐disk, chisel, and moldboard plow treatments. Indicators included soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM). Nematode abundance was positively correlated with EC, silt content, and total POM and negatively correlated with clay content. Clay content was the main source of variation among soil quality indicators and was negatively correlated with nematode abundance and most indicators. The gain in SOM in the no‐till system amounted to 10887 kg over the 24 years or 454 kg ha^?1 year^?1, about half of this difference (45%) resulting from soil erosion in plowed soils. The balance of gain in SOM with no till (249 kg ha^?1 year^?1) was due to SOM sequestration with no till. No‐till management reduced soil erosion, increased SOM, and enhanced soil physical characteristics.     

Long-term amendment of four different compost types on a loamy silt Cambisol: impact on soil organic matter,nutrients and yields

This study investigated the long-term effects of different composts (urban organic waste compost (OWC), green waste compost (GWC), cattle manure compost (MC) and sewage sludge compost (SSC)) compared to mineral fertilisation on a loamy silt Cambisol, after a 7-year start-up period. The compost application rate was 175 kg N ha^?1, with 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 and without. Soil characteristics (soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and soil pH), nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) and crop yields were investigated between 1998 and 2012. SOC concentrations were increased by compost applications, being highest in the SSC treatments, as for soil pH. N contents were significantly higher with compost amendments compared to mineral fertilisation. The highest calcium-acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P concentrations were measured in the SSC treatments, and the highest CAL-extractable K concentrations in the MC treatments. Yields after compost amendment for winter barley and spring wheat were similar to 40 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone, whereas maize had comparable yields to 80 kg mineral N ha^?1 alone. We conclude that compost amendment improves soil quality, but that the overall carbon (C) and N cycling merits more detailed investigation.     

Landscape supplementation in adjacent savannas and its implications for the design of corridors for forest birds in the central Cerrado, Brazil

We examined landscape supplementation (sensu [Oikos 65 (1992) 169]) by forest birds along forest/savanna boundaries in central Brazil to: (1) verify the role of savanna vegetation in providing resources to forest bird communities; (2) suggest minimum amounts of savannas to be conserved within corridors, to provide adequate foraging habitat for forest birds outside reserves. Transect counts parallel (n=64) and perpendicular (n=64) to forests were conducted in eight savannas (cerrado sensu stricto) between February 2000 and January 2001. Patterns of species richness and abundance of birds in relation to distances from forests were examined using Generalised Linear Mixed Models. Omnivores were the most abundant birds foraging in savannas, followed by insectivores and frugivores. Landscape supplementation in savannas was proportional to the density of savanna vegetation. Also, it was higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding period. These two patterns suggest that surrounding savannas play a major role in providing additional foraging areas for forest bird species. We suggest that the environmental policy currently protecting 20 m of gallery forests along each side of rivers be modified to include at least 60 m of savanna along these forests through central Brazil. The study suggests that appropriate conservation efforts should also encompass the surrounding matrix to which the home ranges of target species are expanded, and not only their major habitat.     

Soil organic matter quantity and quality in mountain soils of the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia, affected by land use change

 Changes in soil management practices influence the amount, quality and turnover of soil organic matter (SOM). Our objective was to study the effects of deforestation followed by pasture establishment on SOM quantity, quality and turnover in mountain soils of the Sui Checti valley in the Alay Range, Kyrgyzia. This objective was approached by analysis of total organic C (TOC), N, lignin-derived phenols, and neutral sugars in soil samples and primary particle-size soil fractions. Pasture installation led to a loss of about 30% TOC compared with the native Juniperus turkestanica forests. The pasture soils accumulated about 20% N, due to inputs via animal excrement. A change in land use from forest to pasture mainly affected the SOM bound to the silt fraction; there was more microbial decomposition in the pasture than in the forest silt fraction, as indicated by lower yields of lignin and carbohydrates, and also by a more advanced oxidative lignin side-chain oxidation and higher values of plant : microbial sugar ratios. The ratio of arabinose : xylose was indicative of the removal of carbohydrates when the original forest was replaced by pasture, and we conclude that this can be used as an indicator of deforestation. The accumulation of lignin and its low humification within the forest floor could be due to the extremely cold winter and dry summer climate. Received: 10 March 1999     

Clay Addition to Sandy Soil Reduces Nutrient Leaching—Effect of Clay Concentration and Ped Size

Leaching of nutrients, particularly in sandy soil with low nutrient and water holding capacity (WHC), is a major threat to marine and fresh water pollution. Addition of clay soil to sandy soil could be an option to increase water and nutrient holding capacity of sandy soils, but the effect of clay soil addition may depend on the form in which the clay soil is added and the addition rate. Clay soil was added to sandy soil at rate of 10 or 20% (w/w) finely ground (<2 mm) or 2 and 5 mm peds with and without nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer equivalent to 60 kg N ha^?1 and 15 kg P ha^?1. The clay sand mixture for each treatment was weighed (30 g) in cores with nylon mesh at the bottom. The soils were incubated at 80% WHC for 7 weeks. To obtain leachate, 20 mL reverse osmosis (RO) water was added every week to each core. Leachate was analysed for inorganic N, P, and pH. Soil was analyzed for N, P, and pH before and after the leaching. Clay addition significantly reduced the leaching of N and P compared to sandy soil alone, with greatest reduction by finely ground clay soil and least with 5 mm peds. Compared to sandy soil alone, 83% more N was retained in clay-amended soil and P retention was doubled. This study showed that addition of finely ground clay soil can substantially reduce N and P leaching and thereby increase fertilizer retention compared to sandy soil alone.     

Fallow residue management effects on upland rice in three agroecological zones of West Africa

Improving fallow quality in upland rice-fallow rotations in West Africa through the site-specific use of leguminous cover crops has been shown to sustain the productivity of such systems. We studied the effects of a range of residue management practices (removal, burning, mulching and incorporation) on fallow biomass and N accumulation, on weed biomass and yield response of upland rice and on changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics in 2-year field trials conducted in three agroecological zones of Côte d'Ivoire. Across fallow management treatments and agroecological zones, rice yields were on average 20–30% higher in legume than in natural fallow plots. Weed biomass was highest in the savanna zone and lowest in the bimodal forest and tended to be less following a legume fallow. Regardless of the type of fallow vegetation and agroecological zone, biomass removal resulted in the lowest rice yields that varied from 0.5?t ha^–1 in the derived savanna zone to 1.5?t ha^–1 in the Guinea savanna zone. Burning of the fallow vegetation significantly increased yield over residue removal in the derived savanna (0.27?t ha^–1, P<0.05) and bimodal forest zones (0.27?t ha^–1, P<0.01), but not in the Guinea savanna. In both savanna environments, residue incorporation was superior to the farmers' practice of residue removal and rice yield increases were related to amounts of fallow N returned to the soil (r²=0.803, P<0.01). In the forest zone, the farmers' practice of residue burning produced the highest yield (1.43?t ha-1 in the case of legumes) and resulted in the lowest weed biomass (0.02?t ha^–1). Regardless of the site, improving the quality of the fallow or of its management had no significant effects on either soil physical or soil chemical characteristics after two fallow cycles. We conclude that incorporation of legume residues is a desirable practice for rice-based fallow rotation systems in savanna environments. No promising residue management alternatives to slash-and-burn were apparent for the forest zone. Determining the possible effects on soil productivity will require longer-term experiments.     

Long-term fertilization effects on carbon pools and carbon management index of loamy soil under grass–forage legumes mixture in semi-arid environment

ABSTRACT

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key component for sustaining crop production. A field experiment was conducted during 2004–2018 to assess the changes in soil carbon fractions under different fertilization practices in grass-legumes mixture. The result indicates that application of farmyard manure (FYM) at 80 Mg ha^–1 has increased SOC concentration leading to carbon sequestration rate of 4.2 Mg ha^–1 year^–1. Further, it has increased the proportion of labile carbon in the total SOC and have accumulated 126, 60, 83 and 95% higher very labile, labile, less labile and non-labile C stock than that of control plot, respectively, in top 30 cm soil layer. Inorganic fertilization and FYM 20 Mg ha^–1 influenced SOC concentration, SOC stock and C sequestration rate similarly. The highest carbon management index (264) was found in the treatment receiving FYM 80 Mg ha^–1 and it was positively correlated with SOC (r = 0.84**). The sensitivity index of the SOC varied from 26 to 152% and the differences were greatest in FYM treatments. The result indicates that grass-legumes mixture build-up the SOC in long term and the addition of FYM further increases it.     

典型榆树疏林碳氮储量及其分配特征

榆树疏林是科尔沁沙地和浑善达克沙地植被演替的顶级群落。以退耕还林后天然恢复的科尔沁沙地榆树疏林和无破坏的浑善达克沙地榆树疏林为研究对象,运用样方调查法、生物量估算法及相关的数理统计方法,比较分析2种典型榆树疏林碳氮储量及其分配特征。结果表明：1）除土壤无机碳储量外,浑善达克沙地榆树疏林各组分的碳氮储量均显著高于科尔沁沙地榆树疏林,其中总的碳氮储量分别为科尔沁沙地榆树疏林的1.97和1.82倍;2）2种榆树疏林碳氮分配特征相似,最大贡献者均为土壤,其所占比例相应地均超过了55%和80%,而最小贡献者则均为枯落物;3）与浑善达克沙地榆树疏林相比,退耕还林后的科尔沁沙地榆树疏林可能具有更大的碳汇潜力和固氮功能。     

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.     

Soil carbon fractions in response to straw mulching in the Loess Plateau of China

Straw mulching has been used to conserve soil water and sustain dryland crop yields, but the impact of the quantity and time of mulching on soil C fractions are not well documented. We studied the effects of various amounts and times of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw mulching on soil C fractions at 0–10- and 10–20-cm depths from 2009 to 2017 in the Loess Plateau of China. Treatments were no mulching (CK), straw mulching at 9.0 (HSM) and 4.5 Mg ha^?1 (LSM) in the winter wheat growing season, and straw mulching at 9.0 Mg ha^?1 in the summer fallow period (FSM). Soil C fractions were soil organic C (SOC), particulate organic C (POC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and potential C mineralization (PCM). All C fractions at 0–10 and 10–20 cm were 8–27% greater with HSM and LSM than FSM and CK. Both SOC and POC at 0–10 cm increased at 0.32 and 0.27 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 with HSM and at 0.40 and 0.30 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1 with LSM, respectively, from 2009 to 2017. Winter wheat grain yield was lower with HSM and LSM, but total aboveground biomass was greater with HSM than other treatments. All C fractions at most depths were correlated with the estimated wheat root residue returned to the soil and PCM at 0–10 and 0–20 cm was correlated with wheat grain yield. Wheat straw mulching during the growing season increased soil C sequestration and microbial biomass and activity compared with mulching during the fallow period or no mulching, regardless of mulching rate, due to increased C input, although it reduced wheat grain yield. Continuous application of straw mulching over time can increase soil C sequestration by increasing nonlabile C fractions while decreasing labile fractions. Straw mulching at higher rate and mulching during the summer fallow period had no additional benefits in soil C sequestration.     

Impacts of Plant Community Changes on Soil Carbon Contents in Northeastern Illinois

Land-cover changes not only affect regional climates through alteration in surface energy and water balance, but also affect key ecological processes, such as carbon (C) cycling and sequestration in plant ecosystems. The object of this study was to investigate the effects of land-cover changes on the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) contents under four plant community types (deciduous forests, pine forests, mixed pine-deciduous forests, and prairies) in northeastern Illinois, USA. Soil samples were collected from incremental soil depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–50 cm) under the studied plant communities. The results showed that SOC concentration decreased with increases of soil depth in the studied forests and prairies. No significant differences of SOC concentrations were found at the upper soil layers (0–10 cm) among the four plant types. However, SOC concentrations were statistically higher at the lower soil depth (30–40 cm) in prairies than in other three forest types. The SOC storage (0–40 cm soil depth) was reduced in an order prairies (250.6) > mixed pine-deciduous forests (240.7) > pine forests (190.1) > deciduous forests (163.4 Mg/ha). The characteristics of relative short life cycle, restively high turnover rate of roots, and large partition of photosynthetic production allocated to belowground were likely attributed to the higher accumulation of C in soils in tallgrass prairies than in forests. Our data indicated the conversion of native tallgrass prairies to pure forest plantations resulted in a considerable decline of SOC storage. Results suggest that land-cover changes have a significant impact on SOC storage and sequestration in plant ecosystems.