Synergistic impacts of Landscape, Soil, and environmental factors on the spatial distribution of soil aggregates stability in the Danjiangkou reservoir area

Abstract

Soil aggregate stability (SAS) plays a crucial role in determining the soil's resistance to erosion. Conducting a spatial variability analysis of SAS in the reservoir area, which is highly susceptible to soil degradation and erosion, can yield valuable insights for agricultural practices, landscape planning, and environmental management in this region. Nevertheless, existing research remains constrained in its capacity to accurately map and forecast soil aggregates at a spatial level. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of SAS in the Danjiangkou reservoir area, as well as to explore the intrinsic linkage mechanisms between changes in soil properties, environmental factors and landscape patterns and SAS. Results revealed significant spatial variations in SAS within the vicinity of the Danjiangkou reservoir area. Notably, soil properties (including clay, available potassium, soil organic matter, and available phosphorus), environmental factors (such as digital elevation model, slope, land surface temperature difference between seasons (ΔLST)), and landscape pattern (largest patch index (LPI), shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), edge density (ED)) significantly affected the spatial variability of SAS, explaining 18.91%, 8.22%, and 8.17% of the total variability of soil SAS, respectively. Structural equation modeling results indicated that altering soil properties serves as the primary approach to enhance SAS. Furthermore, interventions targeting landscape factors such as LPI, SHDI, and ED, alongside environmental factors like ΔLST and slope, exert direct influences on SAS, while also indirectly impacting it through their effects on soil properties. These findings contribute to the design of land planning and soil and water conservation measures in the reservoir watershed, promoting its protection of soil structure and its ecological service function.