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The Vertical Differences in the Change Rates and Controlling Factors of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen along Vegetation Restoration in a Subtropical Area of China

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiwei Cao

    (Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Xi Fang

    (Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Huitong National Field Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong 438107, China)

  • Wenhua Xiang

    (Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Huitong National Field Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong 438107, China)

  • Pifeng Lei

    (Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Huitong National Field Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong 438107, China)

  • Changhui Peng

    (Huitong National Field Station for Scientific Observation and Research of Chinese Fir Plantation Ecosystem in Hunan Province, Huitong 438107, China
    Institute of Environment Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada)

Abstract

The study was to investigate the change patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and soil C/N (C/N) in each soil sublayer along vegetation restoration in subtropical China. We collected soil samples in four typical plant communities along a restoration chronosequence. The soil physicochemical properties, fine root, and litter biomass were measured. Our results showed the proportion of SOC stocks (Cs) and TN stocks (Ns) in 20–30 and 30–40 cm soil layers increased, whereas that in 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers decreased. Different but well-constrained C/N was found among four restoration stages in each soil sublayer. The effect of soil factors was greater on the deep soil than the surface soil, while the effect of vegetation factors was just the opposite. Our study indicated that vegetation restoration promoted the uniform distribution of SOC and TN on the soil profile. The C/N was relatively stable along vegetation restoration in each soil layer. The accumulation of SOC and TN in the surface soil layer was controlled more by vegetation factors, while that in the lower layer was controlled by both vegetation factors and soil factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiwei Cao & Xi Fang & Wenhua Xiang & Pifeng Lei & Changhui Peng, 2020. "The Vertical Differences in the Change Rates and Controlling Factors of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen along Vegetation Restoration in a Subtropical Area of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6443-:d:397020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chunli Li & Guotao Dong & Biao Sui & Hongbin Wang & Lanpo Zhao, 2021. "Effects of Grassland Conversion in the Chinese Chernozem Region on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, February.

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