Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Micro-Catchment of Northeast China and Their Influencing Factors

Jiayu Tian, Yaru Yuan, Pengchong Zhou, Lixin Wang, Zhuoxin Chen and Qiang Chen ()
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Jiayu Tian: College of Geographical Science, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Yaru Yuan: College of Geographical Science, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Pengchong Zhou: Key Laboratory of Mollisols Agroecology, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China
Lixin Wang: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Zhuoxin Chen: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Xianyang 712100, China
Qiang Chen: College of Geographical Science, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN) in a micro-catchment area comprising farmland and a gully with vegetation restoration (artificial forest and grassland) and their influencing factors. We surveyed a total of 52 topsoil sampling sites to measure the SOC and STN content, as well as topographical factors (elevation, curvature, slope gradient, and aspect), soil properties (bulk density, aggregate distribution, soil texture, and soil moisture), and land use and management. We used traditional statistical and geostatistical methods to analyze the spatial variability of SOC and STN. The results of this study indicate that SOC and STN content varied moderately across the entire micro-catchment area, with greater values in the west (gully head area) than in the east (gully mouth area). Additionally, SOC and STN were significantly positively correlated with soil water content, >2 mm size aggregate fraction, and elevation, but negatively correlated with <0.053 mm size fraction. Land use types also influenced the spatial distribution of SOC and STN contents, with the highest averages of SOC and STN content found at the edge of farmland road and grassland, respectively, and the lowest values in bare land. This study provides a valuable supplement to the understanding of SOC and STN in micro-catchment areas, and the research results also support the evaluation of the impact of gully erosion control on SOC and STN dynamics after vegetation restoration. Overall, vegetation restoration should be adopted for gully erosion control and sustainable agricultural development in the Mollisols region of Northeast China.

Keywords: spatial variability; gully; soil organic carbon; total nitrogen; influencing factors (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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