☆ 4.7 Article

Effects of Poplar Shelterbelt Plantations on Soil Aggregate Distribution and Organic Carbon in Northeastern China

FORESTS (2022)

Journal

FORESTS

Volume 13, Issue 10, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI

DOI: 10.3390/f13101546

Keywords

poplar shelterbelt; farmland; soil organic carbon; aggregates; northeastern China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China [41877324, 41730641]

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Abstract

This study in the Songnen Plain of northeastern China showed that shelterbelt plantations significantly increased soil aggregates of >2 mm and 0.25-2 mm, as well as SOC content. The enhancement in SOC of total soil was dependent on the increase in aggregate-associated SOC, with larger-particle aggregates having a greater contribution.

This study aimed to determine the distribution, stability, and soil organic carbon (SOC) of aggregates, and the contribution of soil aggregate proportion, stability index, and aggregate-associated SOC to the total SOC. Three hundred and sixty soil samples were gathered from shelterbelts and neighboring farmlands in five layers of 1 m profiles in Songnen Plain, northeastern China. The shelterbelt plantations were found to increase by 69.5% and 103.8% in >2 mm and 0.25-2 mm soil aggregates, respectively, and their R-0.25, mean weight diameter (MWD), and geometric mean diameter (GMD) were enhanced by 96.3%, 33.2%, and 40.0%, respectively, compared to those of farmlands in soil layers at 0-20 cm depth (p < 0.05). The total SOC content increased by 13.3% at 0-20 cm soil depth, and the SOC content and stock in >2 mm aggregates increased by 21.5% and 18.7% in the 20-40 cm layer (p < 0.05), respectively. The SOC content and stock in total soil had a significantly positive relationship with the proportion of >2 mm soil aggregates and a negative relationship with the value of fractal dimension (D). The enhancement in the SOC of the total soil was dependent on the increase in aggregate-associated SOC, with larger-particle aggregates having a greater contribution. Based on the study results, afforestation improved soil stability and the structure of soil aggregates, and SOC accumulation in the total soil was not only governed by SOC concentration and stock within the aggregate size class, but also the proportion of >2 mm soil aggregates and the value of the fractal dimension.

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Shelterbelt farmland-afforestation induced SOC accrual with higher temperature stability: Cross-sites 1 m soil profiles analysis in NE China

Xiting Zhang, Shengxian Chen, Yanbo Yang, Qiong Wang, Yan Wu, Zhiqiang Zhou, Huimei Wang, Wenjie Wang

Summary: This study compared the difference in soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and stability between farmland and shelterbelt forests by collecting soil samples. The results showed that shelterbelt forests had significantly higher SOC concentration than farmland, while there was no significant difference in SOC respirational decomposition rate between the two. The respiration patterns of both shelterbelt forests and farmland changed with increasing soil moisture. The stability of SOC was influenced by geographic-climate factors and soil properties. The findings suggest that these SOC changes can improve the carbon sequestration function of shelterbelt forests.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)