Carbon Distribution Characteristics and Sequestration Potential of Various Land-Use Types in a Stony Soil Zone of the Arid Mountainous Regions on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

Yunwei Han, Qing Wang (), Fucheng Li, Yalin Guo, Songtao Shen, Guohui Luo and Yuting Zheng
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Yunwei Han: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Qing Wang: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Fucheng Li: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Yalin Guo: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Songtao Shen: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Guohui Luo: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China
Yuting Zheng: School of Environment and Resources, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621002, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-13

Abstract: In arid mountainous areas with stony soils in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau, intensively managed orchards (which include the need for plowing, irrigation, and soil stone removal), eco-forests, and grasslands, all converted from croplands, are becoming increasingly popular. We randomly collected soil samples at 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm depths from the four land-use types on the northern and southern slopes in the region. Differences in soil organic carbon (SOC) content/stock, soil water content (SWC), and rock fragment content (RFC) in land-use types and slopes were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. The factors’ contributions to SOC variation were assessed using mixed-effect models. Results showed the following: (1) In topsoil (0–30 cm), SOC contents followed the order eco-forest > orchard > grassland ≈ cropland; in subsoil (30–60 cm), the order was orchard > eco-forest > cropland ≈ grassland. SOC stocks (0–60 cm) were higher in orchards (93.72 Mg ha −1 ) and eco-forests (92.44 Mg ha −1 ) than in grasslands (53.65 Mg ha −1 ) and croplands (53.05 Mg ha −1 ). Contributions of SOC stocks at the 0–15 cm depth level to total SOC were above 40% for GL and EF and between 27 and 35% for OL and CL; at the 45–60 cm level, OL contributed 16–20% and was higher than 10–15% for the other land-use types. (2) Eco-forests and grasslands showed increased SOC contents/stocks at all soil layers on the northern slope than on the southern one. Orchards and croplands, however, showed no differences in contents between slopes. (3) Land-use types, TN, SWC, RFC, slope aspect, and management practices significantly affected SOC variation. Our results suggest that forest plantations (orchards and eco-forests) in arid mountainous regions, through active management practices (e.g., irrigation and fertilization), are vital for improving soil carbon sinks and achieving peak carbon/carbon neutrality goals.

Keywords: soil organic carbon; arid mountain; land-use type; management practices; slope aspect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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