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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (3): 284-294.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2023.00015

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Distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon and its relationship with soil physical properties in Ali Desert Area, Tibetan Plateau

Yaofang Shi1,2(), Xian Xue1,2(), Quangang You1, Fei Peng1,2, Cuihua Huang1   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
    2.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China
  • Received:2023-02-14 Revised:2023-03-07 Online:2023-05-20 Published:2023-05-31
  • Contact: Xian Xue

Abstract:

In order to improve the soil background data in Ali Desert Area and improve the understanding of the level of soil carbon sink in alpine desert, this article took the 0-100 cm deep soil in Ali Desert Area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as the research object. Through field investigation, sample collection, and laboratory experiments of 34 soil samples distributed in the whole region, the vertical and horizontal distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon content (SOC) and soil organic carbon density (SOCD), as well as the relationship with vegetation types and soil physical properties were discussed. The results showed: (1) The average values of SOC and SOCD in the soil depth of 100 cm were 3.74 g?kg-1 and 4.91 kg?m-2, respectively, which were at a low level nationwide. In the vertical direction, SOC and SOCD gradually decreased from the surface layer to the deep layer, with the surface aggregation phenomenon. (2) In the whole region, SOC and SOCD showed strong variability and significant differences among different vegetation types (P≤0.05). In the horizontal direction, SOC and SOCD showed a decreasing trend from northeast to southwest, from the desert steppe, shrubby steppe desert, semi-shrubby and dwarf semi-shrubby desert to the non-vegetation area. (3) The soil bulk density and sand content gradually increased with the increase of soil depth, while soil water content, clay content, and silt content gradually decreased. In some areas with low vegetation coverage, the soil water content and clay content showed a low-high-low trend with soil depth. Soil water content, silt content, and clay content were significantly positively correlated with SOCD (P≤0.05), and soil sand content was significantly negatively correlated with SOCD (P≤0.05).

Key words: Ali Desert Area, soil organic carbon content, soil organic carbon density, soil physical properties

CLC Number: