[Spatial distribution patterns of soil organic carbon under Elacagnus angustifolia--Achnatherum splendens community in an arid area of Northwest China].
An investigation was conducted to study the relationships of soil organic carbon (SOC) content with root biomass and soil moisture content as well as the accumulation mechanisms of SOC under the Elacagnus angustifolia-Achnatherum splenden community in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of Northwest China. The results showed that the SOC content decreased gradually with increasing soil depth, and changed gently in both horizontal and vertical directions. The correlations of the SOC content and its affecting factors varied with soil depth. In 0-30 cm layer, the SOC content was significantly negatively correlated with soil moisture content; in 60-150 cm layer, the SOC content was significantly positively correlated with soil moisture content and root biomass. Partial regression analysis indicated that the root biomass density in 0-30 cm soil layer contributed significantly to the variance of SOC content. In 60-150 cm layer, the SOC content was mainly affected by root system and soil moisture content; in 30-60 cm layer, no significant correlations were observed between the SOC content and the root biomass and soil moisture content. There was an obvious difference in the accumulation mechanism of SOC in different soil layers and at different locations of E. angustifolia--A. splendens community.
School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. chiting.nju@gmail.com
Ting
T
Chi
School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
Chi
C
Xu
School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
Mao-Song
MS
Liu
College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Ming-Juan
MJ
Zhang
School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
Xue-Jiao
XJ
Yang
D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China; D003889:Desert Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D031263:Elaeagnaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D062206:Spatial Analysis
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon