Changes of organic carbon density in desert steppe ecosystem driven by degradation and restoration

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00015

Journal of Desert Research ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 215-222.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00015

Changes of organic carbon density in desert steppe ecosystem driven by degradation and restoration

Zhao Yu¹(), Qizheng Li², Peiyuan Wang³, Qi Jiang⁴

^1.Ningxia Forestry Project Management Center，Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region，Yinchuan 750001，China
^2.School of Agriculture /, Ningxia University，Yinchuan 750021，China
^3.School of Ecology and Environment, Ningxia University，Yinchuan 750021，China
^4.Research Institute of Desertification Control，Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science，Yinchuan 750002，China

Received:2021-11-29 Revised:2022-02-16 Online:2022-03-20 Published:2022-03-30

Abstract

Abstract:

Desert grassland is an important component of the terrestrial ecosystem， the study of carbon density in degraded and restored desert grassland ecosystem is important to evaluate the role of desert grassland in global climate change. It can also provide data support and theoretical basis for peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and carbon neutralization by 2060 of China. Field investigation， sampling and laboratory analysis were carried out for natural， heavily degraded and restored desert grassland in the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert， China. Differences of the total organic carbon density， soil organic carbon density （SOCD）， shrubs biomass carbon density （BCD）， and herb BCD among three ecosystems were examined. The results showed that shrub （leaves， new branches， aging branches， standing-dead and roots） BCD， herbage （shoot and root） BCD and SOCD of 0-100 cm soil profile of typical desert grassland were 213.234 g m^-2 （17.688 g·m^-2， 8.035 g·m^-2， 59.163 g·m^-2， 21.732 g·m^-2 and 106.617 g·m^-2）， 84.269 g·m^-2（12.192 g·m^-2 and 72.077 g·m^-2） and 2.517 kg·m^-2， respectively. The carbon loss of degraded desert grassland was serious， shrub BCD， herbage BCD and SOCD only accounted for 14.901%， 45.549% and 26.852% of natural desert grassland. Degraded desert grassland had strong carbon sequestration potential， shrub BCD， herbage BCD and SOCD of 0-100 cm soil profile of restored desert grassland increased significantly， they were 2.463 times， 5.305 times， and 2.392 times as much as that of degraded desert grassland， respectively. The total organic carbon density increased by 1.152 kg·m^-2. SOCD of 0-20 cm soil profile and herbage BCD have reached the level of typical desert grassland， however， there was a large carbon sequestration potential （0.916 kg·m^-2）. Our study suggests that the desert and desertification area in China has great carbon sequestration potential， reasonable restoration measures is important strategy to increase carbon storage of desert grassland， alleviate the increase of CO₂ concentration and mitigate global climate change.

Key words: desert grassland, ecology restoration, biomass carbon, soil organic carbon, carbon sequestration potential, carbon neutralization

CLC Number:

X142

Zhao Yu, Qizheng Li, Peiyuan Wang, Qi Jiang. Changes of organic carbon density in desert steppe ecosystem driven by degradation and restoration[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2022, 42(2): 215-222.

Figures/Tables 4

References 37

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Changes of organic carbon density in desert steppe ecosystem driven by degradation and restoration

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