Back to Search
Start Over
Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil C:N Ratio in a Mollisol Watershed of Northeast China.
- Source :
- Land Degradation & Development; Feb2016, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p295-304, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- The spatial variability of the soil C:N ratio (C:N) influences C and N leaching and basic fertility in the field. This paper aims to identify the spatial heterogeneity of C:N in a Mollisol watershed of Northeast China and determine the main mechanisms that drive these differences. A random sampling method was used, with both geostatistical and traditional analysis being used to describe the spatial distribution of the C:N at various depths. C:N was also compared between slope position, previous vegetation and tillage methods in the watershed. The horizontal distribution of the C:N was mainly influenced by structural factors (88·4-99·9%) and often gradually deceased along the hydrographic flow direction, becoming lowest at the watershed outlet. The C:N increased as soil depth increased at all slope positions, and was higher on the back slope than on summit slope, followed by bottom slope in all soil depths. C:N was negatively (significant at p < 0·01) correlated to TN, and positively (significant at p < 0·05) correlated to elevation at all soil depths. Compared to the reforested area, C:N was typically greater in the agricultural area in the 20-60 cm depth. The planting of soybean ( Glycine max L) can significantly increase the C:N at the 40-50 cm depth. C:N was higher in cross-slope tillage than in down-slope tillage, especially at soil depths of 40-50 cm. Generally, topographical factors, land use, crop planting and tillage methods can effectively influence the spatial heterogeneity of C:N in this watershed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CARBON in soils
NITROGEN in soils
MOLLISOLS
WATERSHEDS
TILLAGE
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10853278
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Land Degradation & Development
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 112902364
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2427