System-Specific Complex Interactions Shape Soil Organic Carbon Distribution in Coastal Salt Marshes

Dan Yang, Xin-Yu Miao, Bo Wang, Ren-Ping Jiang, Teng Wen, Mao-Song Liu, Cheng Huang and Chi Xu
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Dan Yang: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Xin-Yu Miao: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Bo Wang: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Ren-Ping Jiang: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Teng Wen: School of Geography Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Mao-Song Liu: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Cheng Huang: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Chi Xu: School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Coastal wetlands provide many critical ecosystem services including carbon storage. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most important component of carbon stock in coastal salt marshes. However, there are large uncertainties when estimating SOC stock in coastal salt marshes at large spatial scales. So far, information on the spatial heterogeneity of SOC distribution and determinants remains limited. Moreover, the role of complex ecological interactions in shaping SOC distribution is poorly understood. Here, we report detailed field surveys on plant, soil and crab burrowing activities in two inter-tidal salt marsh sites with similar habitat conditions in Eastern China. Our between-site comparison revealed slight differences in SOC storage and a similar vertical SOC distribution pattern across soil depths of 0–60 cm. Between the two study sites, we found substantially different effects of biotic and abiotic factors on SOC distribution. Complex interactions involving indirect effects between soil, plants and macrobenthos (crabs) may influence SOC distribution at a landscape scale. Marked differences in the SOC determinants between the study sites indicate that the underlying driving mechanisms of SOC distribution are strongly system-specific. Future work taking into account complex interactions and spatial heterogeneity is needed for better estimating of blue carbon stock and dynamics.

Keywords: carbon cycle; soil organic carbon; soil properties; structural equation model; trophic interaction; wetland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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