Abstract
Understanding the spatial variability of soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for implementing precise land degradation control and fertilization to improve crop productivity. Studying spatial variability provides a scientific basis for precision fertilization and land degradation control. In this study, geostatistics and classical statistical methods were used to analyze the spatial variability of SOM and its influencing factors under various degrees of land degradation in the red bed area of southern China. The results demonstrate a declining trend for SOM content with increasing land degradation. The SOM content differs profoundly under different land degradation degrees. The coefficient of variation ranges from 13.61% for extreme land degradation to 8.98% for mild land degradation, 7.96% for moderate land degradation, and 5.64% for severe land degradation. A significant positive correlation is displayed between the altitude and the SOM (p < 0.01) under mild and moderate land degradation conditions. Bulk density and pH value have a significant negative correlation with SOM (p < 0.01). It can be observed that terrain factors, as well as physical and chemical soil parameters, have a great influence on SOM.
Highlights
The results show that the Soil organic matter (SOM) content is relatively low under different land degradation types in the ecologically vulnerable red bed areas of South China, and the SOM
The overall variation degree of SOM in the study area is moderate, and the nugget effect values of SOM under different land degradation types are less than 25%, suggesting a strong spatial correlation
Under mild and moderate land degradation types, the elevation and aspect were the main parameters affecting the spatial variability of SOM
Summary
Identifying the influencing factors of SOM variability under different land degradation levels establishes a theoretical basis for studying regional soil carbon restoration mechanisms, thereby facilitating the development of soil quality restoration, ecological reconstruction, and water and soil conservation in ecologically fragile areas. Zhang et al [14] analyzed the spatial heterogeneity of SOM in the Karst mountain area which possesses a fragile ecology Their statistical results indicate that the landforms, which lead to great discrepancies in human activities and geographic characteristics, are the primary factor for the high heterogeneity of SOM content in mountainous Karst areas. Investigating the influencing factors for the spatial variability of SOM under different land degradation degrees contributes to improving mappings of SOM spatial variability and estimations of the recovery potential for the soil carbon pool in ecologically vulnerable areas
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