Abstract
<I>Caragana microphylla</I> Lam., an indigenous leguminous shrub, was the dominant plant species to be used to control desertification in semi-arid Horqin Sandy Land. To elucidate the cover effect of <I>Caragana microphylla</I> planted for 25 years on spatial distribution of soil nutrients including C, N, P and K, soil samples were taken from four soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) and three slope positions (windward slope, top slope, and leeward slope). Soil nutrients under shrubs (US) and between shrubs (BS) were compared to investigate the enrichment effect of plantation. The results showed that soil nutrients except total K were significantly higher in surface soil (0–5 cm) than in deeper layer soil (<I>P</I> < 0.01). Significant differences were found in the contents of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total K at different slopes. The contents of total organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in US than in BS (<I>P</I> < 0.05), but pH was lower (<I>P</I> < 0.01). Our results indicated that the establishment of <I>Caragana microphylla</I> increased the accumulation of soil nutrients, and played an important role in restoring sand dune ecosystems.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.