The nutrient and carbon losses of soils from different land cover systems under simulated rainfall conditions

Abstract

Nutrient losses constitute an important issue for the protection of both soil and water resources. Organic carbon transport is also important for the global carbon cycle. In this study, it was aimed to determine the amount of nutrients and the total organic carbon which was transported by surface runoff water formed under simulated rainfall conditions from areas with different land cover systems.Accordingly, 3 cultivated areas having various product patterns under similar conditions (potato field (P), bean-cultivated area (B), abandoned farmland covered with Noaea sp. (AB)), 2 plantation areas (cedar (C) and almond (AL)) and 2 rangelands covered with Thymus sp. (T) and Stipa sp. (S) were chosen for performing applications. The applications were performed in two repetitions on 0.28 m2 circular experimental plots established in the above-mentioned areas. The collection of surface runoff was performed during land applications. The pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), total phosphorus, orthophosphate (PO43−), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) parameters of surface runoff water were measured. The land cover change affects total nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, pH, electrical conductivity, total phosphorus, orthophosphate and TOC parameters. Nitrate transport was found to be B > P > T > AB > C > AL > S from highest to lowest. Ammonium transport was B > T > AL > C > AB > P > S. The total nitrogen transport was B > P > T > AB > C > AL. The total phosphorus transport was found to be P > B = T > AB > AL > C > S. Ortho-phosphate transport was P > B > T > AB > C > AL > S. In terms of the TOC transport, the order was found to be T > B > P > AB > AL > C from highest to lowest.