Pedosphere 16(6): 778--787, 2006
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2006 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Small-scale spatial variability of soil nutrients and vegetation properties in semi-arid northern China |
CHEN Fu-Sheng1,2 , ZENG De-Hui1 and HE Xing-Yuan1 |
1 Daqinggou Ecological Station, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shengyang 110016 (China). E-mail: chenfush@yahoo.com;
2 Life College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047 (China) |
| ABSTRACT |
| A field experiment was conducted at Kezuohouqi County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, which was located on the southeastern edge of the Horqin Sandy Land, to study the spatial variability of soil nutrients for a smallscale, nutrient-poor, sandy site in a semi-arid region of northern China; to investigate whether or not there were "islands of fertility" at the experimental site; and to determine the key nutrient elements that sustained ecosystem stability. Results obtained from geostatistical analysis indicated that the spatial distribution pattern of soil total nitrogen (STN) was far different from those of soil organic matter (SOM), total phosphorus (STP), and total potassium (STK). Compared to SOM, STP, and STK, STN had a lower structural heterogeneity ratio and a longer range, while other elements were all similar. In addition, STN had an isotropic spatial structure, whereas the others had an anisotropic spatial structure. The spatial structure patterns of herbage species, cover, and height also differed, indicating that spatial variability was subjected to different ecological factors. Differences in the spatial variability patterns among soil nutrients and vegetation properties showed that soil nutrients for a small-scale were not the primary limiting factors that influenced herbage spatial distribution patterns. Incorporating spatial distribution patterns of tree species, namely, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. and shrub Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. in a research plot and using fractal dimension, SOM, STP, and STK were shown to contribute to the "islands of fertility" phenomenon, however STN was not, possibly meaning that nitrogen was a key limiting element. Therefore, during restoration of similar ecosystems more attention should be given to soil nitrogen. |
| Key Words: Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv., semi-arid region, soil nutrients, spatial variability, species richness |
| Citation: Chen, F. S., Zeng, D. H. and He, X. Y. 2006. Small-scale spatial variability of soil nutrients and vegetation properties in semi-arid northern China. Pedosphere. 16(6): 778-787. |
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