Comparative Analysis of Particle Size Characteristics of Calcareous Soils Under Cultivated and Natural Conditions Based on Fractal Theory

Yilong Li, Zongheng Xu (), Hongchen Ye, Jianjiao Bai, Xirui Dai and Yun Zeng
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Yilong Li: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
Zongheng Xu: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
Hongchen Ye: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
Jianjiao Bai: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
Xirui Dai: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
Yun Zeng: Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-22

Abstract: This study examines the particle size distribution (PSD) of calcareous soils under cultivated and natural conditions in Chenggong District of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, using single-fractal and multifractal analyses. Soil samples were collected from the profiles of both land use types, and the PSD parameters, organic matter, and total nitrogen were determined. Single-fractal analysis showed that the single-fractal dimension (D) was mainly influenced by the clay content, with higher clay fractions corresponding to larger D values. The generalized dimension spectrum revealed clear differences between natural and cultivated soils: natural soils exhibited greater sensitivity to probability density weight index( q ) changes and a more compact particle distribution, whereas cultivation led to broader PSD ranges and higher heterogeneity. The ratio D 1 /D 0 was negatively correlated with the clay content, and multifractal spectrum asymmetry (Δ f ) indicated that fine particles dominate the variability in deeper layers. Compared with natural soils, cultivated soils had higher organic matter and total nitrogen, reflecting the influence of fertilization and tillage on the soil aggregation and PSD. These findings demonstrate that fractal theory provides a sensitive tool for characterizing soil structural complexity and land use impacts, offering a theoretical basis for soil quality assessment and the sustainable management of calcareous soils.

Keywords: calcareous soil; soil particle size distribution; generalized dimension spectrum; multifractal spectrum (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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