scholarly journals Organic carbon and nutrients (N, P) in surface soil horizons in a non-glaciated catchment, SW Spitsbergen

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Szymański ◽  
Bronisław Wojtuń ◽  
Mateusz Stolarczyk ◽  
Janusz Siwek ◽  
Joanna Waścińska
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Lateral Moraine ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Svalbard Archipelago ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
Seabird Colony

AbstractOrganic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soils of the High Arctic play an important role in the context of global warming, biodiversity, and richness of tundra vegetation. The main aim of the present study was to determine the content and spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Ntot), and total phosphorus (Ptot) in the surface horizons of Arctic soils obtained from the lower part of the Fuglebekken catchment in Spitsbergen as an example of a small non-glaciated catchment representing uplifted marine terraces of the Svalbard Archipelago. The obtained results indicate that surface soil horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment show considerable differences in content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptot. This mosaic is related to high variability of soil type, local hydrology, vegetation (type and quantity), and especially location of seabird nesting colony. The highest content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotoccurs in soil surface horizons obtained from sites fertilized by seabird guano and located along streams flowing from the direction of the seabird colony. The content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotis strongly negatively correlated with distance from seabird colony indicating a strong influence of the birds on the fertility of the studied soils and indirectly on the accumulation of soil organic matter. The lowest content of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotoccurs in soil surface horizons obtained from the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier and from sites in the close vicinity of the lateral moraine. The content of Ntot, Ptot, and SOC in soil surface horizons are strongly and positively correlated with one another,i.e.the higher the content of nutrients, the higher the content of SOC. The spatial distribution of SOC, Ntot, and Ptotin soils of the Hornsund area in SW Spitsbergen reflects the combined effects of severe climate conditions and periglacial processes. Seabirds play a crucial role in nutrient enrichment in these weakly developed soils.

scholarly journals Grassland fire effect on soil organic carbon reservoirs in a semiarid environment

Solid Earth ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Novara ◽  
L. Gristina ◽  
J. Rühl ◽  
S. Pasta ◽  
G. D'Angelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Semiarid Environment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Grassland Fire

Abstract. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of an experimental fire used for grassland management on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The study was carried out on Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Stapf (Hh) grassland and Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Desf.) T. Durand & Schinz (Am) grasslands located in the north of Sicily. Soil samples were collected at 0–5 cm before and after the experimental fire, and SOC was measured. During the grassland fire, soil surface temperature was monitored. Biomass of both grasses was analysed in order to determine dry weight and its chemical composition. The results showed that SOC varied significantly with vegetation type, while it is not affected in the short term by grassland fire. Am grassland stored more SOC compared with Hh grassland thanks to lower content in the biomass of the labile carbon pool. No significant difference was observed in SOC before and after fire, which could be caused by several factors: first, in both grassland types the measured soil temperature during fire was low due to thin litter layers; second, in a semiarid environment, a higher mineralization rate results in a lower soil carbon labile pool; and third, the SOC stored in the finest soil fractions, physically protected, is not affected by fire.

scholarly journals Temperature exerted no influence on the organic carbon isotope of surface soil along the isopleth of 400 mm mean annual precipitation in China

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufu Jia ◽  
Guoan Wang ◽  
Zixun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Organic Carbon Isotope

Abstract. Soil organic carbon is the largest pool of terrestrial ecosystem and its carbon isotope composition is affected by many factors. However, the influence of environmental factors, especially temperature, on soil organic carbon isotope (δ13CSOM) is poorly constrained. This impedes interpretations and application of variability of organic carbon isotope in reconstructions of paleoclimate and paleoecology and global carbon cycling. With a considerable temperature gradient along the 400 mm isohyet (isopleth of mean annual precipitation – MAP) in China, this isohyet provides ideal experimental sites for studying the influence of temperature on soil organic carbon isotope. In this study, the effect of temperature on surface soil δ13C was assessed by a comprehensive investigation from 27 sites across a temperature gradient along the isohyet. This work demonstrates that temperature did not play a role in soil δ13C, this suggests that organic carbon isotopes in sediments cannot be used for the paleotemperature reconstruction, and that the effect of temperature on organic carbon isotopes can be neglected in the reconstruction of paleoclimate and paleovegetation. Multiple regression with MAT (mean annual temperature), MAP, altitude, latitude and longitude as independent variables, and δ13CSOM as the dependent variable, shows that the five environmental factors in total account for only 9 % soil δ13C variance. However, One-way ANOVA analyses suggest that soil and vegetation types are significant influential factors on soil δ13C. Multiple regressions in which above five environmental factors were taken as quantitative variables, vegetation type, Chinese nomenclature soil type and WRB soil type were introduced as dummy variables separately, show that 36.2 %, 37.4 %, 29.7 % of the variability in soil δ13C are explained, respectively. Compared to the multiple regression in which only quantitative environmental variables were introduced, the multiple regressions in which soil and vegetation were also introduced explain more variance, suggesting that soil type and vegetation type really exerted significant influences on δ13CSOM.

scholarly journals Vegetation Restoration Alleviated the Soil Surface Organic Carbon Redistribution in the Hillslope Scale on the Loess Plateau, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipeng Liang ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Tonggang Zha ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Vegetation Restoration ◽  
The Loess Plateau ◽  
Loess Slope ◽  
Carbon Redistribution

The redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in response to soil erosion along the loess slope, China, plays an important role in understanding the mechanisms that underlie SOC’s spatial distribution and turnover. Consequently, SOC redistribution is key to understanding the global carbon cycle. Vegetation restoration has been identified as an effective method to alleviate soil erosion on the Loess Plateau; however, little research has addressed vegetation restoration’s effect on the SOC redistribution processes, particularly SOC’s spatial distribution and stability. This study quantified the SOC stock and pool distribution on slopes along geomorphic gradients in naturally regenerating forests (NF) and an artificial black locust plantation (BP) and used a corn field as a control (CK). The following results were obtained: 1) vegetation restoration, particularly NF, slowed the migration of SOC and reduced the heterogeneity of its distribution effectively. The topsoil SOC ratios of the sedimentary area to the stable area were 109%, 143%, and 210% for NF, BP, and CK, respectively; 2) during migration, vegetation restoration decreased the loss of labile organic carbon by alleviating the loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC). The DOC/SOC in the BP and NF increased significantly and was 13.14 and 17.57 times higher, respectively, than that in the CK (p < 0.05), while the EOC/SOC in the BP and NF was slightly higher than that in the CK. A relevant schematic diagram of SOC cycle patterns and redistribution along the loess slope was drawn under vegetation restoration. The results suggest that vegetation restoration in the loess slope, NF in particular, is an effective means to alleviate the redistribution and spatial heterogeneity of SOC and reduce soil erosion.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of soil nutrients after the establishment of sand-fixing shrubs on sand dune

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 288-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.W. Dong ◽  
X.K. Zhang ◽  
X.L. Bao ◽  
J.K. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Caragana Microphylla ◽  
Dominant Plant Species ◽  
Windward Slope

<I>Caragana microphylla</I> Lam., an indigenous leguminous shrub, was the dominant plant species to be used to control desertification in semi-arid Horqin Sandy Land. To elucidate the cover effect of <I>Caragana microphylla</I> planted for 25 years on spatial distribution of soil nutrients including C, N, P and K, soil samples were taken from four soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) and three slope positions (windward slope, top slope, and leeward slope). Soil nutrients under shrubs (US) and between shrubs (BS) were compared to investigate the enrichment effect of plantation. The results showed that soil nutrients except total K were significantly higher in surface soil (0–5 cm) than in deeper layer soil (<I>P</I> < 0.01). Significant differences were found in the contents of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total K at different slopes. The contents of total organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in US than in BS (<I>P</I> < 0.05), but pH was lower (<I>P</I> < 0.01). Our results indicated that the establishment of <I>Caragana microphylla</I> increased the accumulation of soil nutrients, and played an important role in restoring sand dune ecosystems.

Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon may be predominantly regulated by topography in a small revegetated watershed

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonggang Zha ◽  
Haiyan Yu ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang ◽  
Yang yu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Small Watershed ◽  
Topographic Factors

&lt;p&gt;Understanding the spatial distribution and controlling factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) at different scales is essential for an accurate estimation of soil organic carbon stocks. Furthermore, this understanding is vital for evaluating the impact of soil management on both soil quality and climate change. This study was conducted in a Loess revegetated small watershed and the effects of the topography and vegetation factors on the content and distribution of SOC at different soil depths were evaluated. Soil profiles (0-200 cm; n = 122) were sampled that represent six vegetation types (i.e., natural mixed forests, artificial mixed forests, artificial forests with a single tree species, shrubbery, and grassland) and four topographic factors (i.e., elevation, slope gradient, slope position, and slope aspect). The following results were obtained: (1) The mean SOC of the 200 cm soil profile ranged from 2.34 g kg-1 to 5.70 g kg-1, decreasing with increasing soil depth. (2) The interactions between vegetation type and topography and soil depth significantly impacted SOC (P &lt; 0.05). Significant differences in the SOC content (P &lt; 0.05) were also found for slope gradient, slope position, slope aspect, and elevation for 0-200cm, 0-160cm, 0-120 cm and 0-200 cm, respectively. (3) The relative contribution of topographic factors to the SOC content exceeded that of vegetation type in entire soil profile. Topography was the dominant factor controlling the spatial distribution of SOC in the studied small watershed. Therefore, topographic factors should be considered more than vegetation types for an accurate estimation of SOC storage in a revegetated small watershed. This is particularly important for the complicated topography of the loess-gully region.&lt;/p&gt;

Stone distribution in a stony tableland soil

Soil Research ◽  
1965 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Mabbutt
Keyword(s):  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Heavy Minerals ◽  
Wetting Front ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Salt Accumulation ◽  
Consistent Relationship ◽  
Upward Displacement ◽  
Texture Contrast

Texture-contrast profiles on a stony tableland showed concentration of stone in the A horizon, very little stone in the B horizon, and marked recurrence of stone below. The stone was identical with that in an underlying silcrete duricrust. There had been only slight lowering of the soil surface to form the present pavement, and no other stone appears ever to have been exposed. The contours of the surface soil are inconsistent with stone derivation from a higher-lying siliceous horizon. Heavy minerals indicate that the profiles are residual and that the stone-free clay B horizon is not a depositional layer. Upward displacement of stone within the profile by swelling and shrinkage of the clay subsoil alone explains the consistent relationship between soil horizons and the distribution of stone. There appears to have been little or no associated gilgai formation, probably owing to the mulching effect of a thick, coarse textured, stony surface soil. A bleached A2 horizon and a horizon of salt accumulation developed after stone displacement, and indicate cessation of subsoil movement and withdrawal of the wetting front with change to a drier climate.

scholarly journals Texture and geochemistry of surface horizons of Arctic soils from a non-glaciated catchment, SW Spitsbergen

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Szymański ◽  
Janusz Siwek ◽  
Joanna Waścińska ◽  
Bronisław Wojtuń
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Plant Colonization ◽  
Lateral Moraine ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
Geostatistical Approach ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

AbstractPhysical and chemical properties of Arctic soils and especially the properties of surface horizons of the soils are very important because they are responsible for the rate and character of plant colonization, development of vegetation cover, and influence the rate and depth of thawing of soils and development of active layer of permafrost during summer. The main aim of the present study is to determine and explain the spatial diversity of selected physical and chemical properties of surface horizons of Arctic soils from the non-glaciated Fuglebekken catchment located in the Hornsund area (SW Spitsbergen) by means of geostatistical approach. Results indicate that soil surface horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment are characterized by highly variable physical and chemical properties due to a heterogeneous parent material (marine sediments, moraine, rock debris), tundra vegetation types, and non-uniform influence of seabirds. Soils experiencing the strongest influence of seabird guano have a lower pH than other soils. Soils developed on the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier have the highest pH due to the presence of carbonates in the parent material and a lack or presence of a poorly developed and discontinuous A horizon. The soil surface horizons along the coast of the Hornsund exhibit the highest content of the sand fraction and SiO2. The surface of soils occurring at the foot of the slope of Ariekammen Ridge is characterized by the highest content of silt and clay fractions as well as Al2O3, Fe2O3, and K2O. Soils in the central part of the Fuglebekken catchment are depleted in CaO, MgO, and Na2O in comparison with soils in the other sampling sites, which indicates the highest rate of leaching in this part of the catchment.

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