Influence of artificial grassland restoration on soil carbon pool in an arid mining land

Abstract

Successful reclamation of degraded mine land can contribute to recuperate the vegetation and soil carbon sequestration. In this study, soil carbon pool was assessed in a mining land after short-term reclamation. We measured above- and belowground biomass and soil carbon storage of artificial grassland (Astragalus adsurgens and Medicago sativa), which was established in the reclamation of mining land. The results showed that artificial grassland establishment significantly increased above- and belowground biomass after four-year restoration. Artificial grassland establishment increased soil inorganic and organic carbon content and storage. Soil organic and inorganic carbon content showed a positive increasing along the restoration time. Higher SOC and lower soil bulk density and water content all were attributed to the growth of artificial grassland. These results suggest that establishing artificial grassland with legumes is an effective restoration approach for improving soil carbon pool in the reclaimed mine soils.