Abstract
Topography-induced microclimate differences determine the local spatial variation of soil characteristics as topographic factors may play the most essential role in changing the climatic pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) with respect to the slope gradient and aspect, and to quantify their influence on SOC within different land use/cover classes. The study area is the Region of Niš in Serbia, which is characterized by complex topography with large variability in the spatial distribution of SOC. Soil samples at 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm were collected from different slope gradients and aspects in each of the three land use/cover classes. The results showed that the slope aspect significantly influenced the spatial distribution of SOC in the forest and vineyard soils, where N- and NW-facing soils had the highest level of organic carbon in the topsoil. There were no similar patterns in the uncultivated land. No significant differences were found in the subsoil. Organic carbon content was higher in the topsoil, regardless of the slope of the terrain. The mean SOC content in forest land decreased with increasing slope, but the difference was not statistically significant. In vineyards and uncultivated land, the SOC content was not predominantly determined by the slope gradient. No significant variations across slope gradients were found for all observed soil properties, except for available phosphorus and potassium. A positive correlation was observed between SOC and total nitrogen, clay, silt, and available phosphorus and potassium, while a negative correlation with coarse sand was detected. The slope aspect in relation to different land use/cover classes could provide an important reference for land management strategies in light of sustainable development.
Highlights
Soil organic matter (SOM) is key for healthy and high-quality soil and is a major terrestrial pool for carbon
Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) is the result of a combination of various factors related to both the natural environment and human activities, with heterogeneity observed at different spatial scales [3]
The average SOC content in forest land decreased with increasing slope, but the difference showed no statistical significance (Figure 10)
Summary
Soil organic matter (SOM) is key for healthy and high-quality soil and is a major terrestrial pool for carbon. The importance of increased SOM or soil organic carbon (SOC). Is due to their role in improving the physical and chemical properties of soil, conserving water, and increasing available nutrients. There is concern that if SOC content in soils decreases too much, the productive capacity of agriculture will be compromised due to deterioration in soil physical properties and by impairment of soil nutrient cycling mechanisms [1,2]. Spatial distribution of SOC is the result of a combination of various factors related to both the natural environment and human activities, with heterogeneity observed at different spatial scales [3]. Topography plays an important role in defining soil properties with respect to temperature and moisture regimes [4]. Apart from cloudiness and other atmospheric heterogeneities, topography determines the distribution of incoming solar
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