137Cs; Long gentle sloping farmland; Soil erosion; Soil organic carbon; Wavelet analysis; Agronomy and Crop Science; Water Science and Technology; Soil Science; Nature and Landscape Conservation
Abstract :
[en] Soil organic carbon (SOC), primarily accumulated in the surface layers of sloping farmland, experiences disrupted distribution due to soil erosion, affecting its lateral transport and vertical sequestration. To gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between soil erosion and the carbon cycle, this study assessed the effects of two tillage practices, as slope-ridge tillage (SRT) and cross-ridge tillage (CRT), in controlling soil erosion on long gentle sloping farmland in the Northeast black soil region in China, while evaluating spatial variations in erosion rates, SOC content, and SOC fractions using the Caesium-137 (137Cs) technique combined with wavelet analysis. The findings revealed lower 137Cs inventories for both SRT (732.96 Bq·m−2) and CRT (1000.98 Bq·m−2) compared to the reference value (2468.77 Bq·m−2), confirming the occurrence of soil erosion. CRT showed a significantly lower erosion rate (3056.65 t km2·a−1) than SRT (4409.04 t km2·a−1), indicating greater effectiveness in erosion control. Wavelet analysis further uncovered periodic erosion-deposition patterns under both tillage practices, which corresponded to variations in SOC content and its fractions. A significant negative correlation was observed between SOC content and cumulative mineralization, with soil erosion rate emerging as a critical driver of these relationships. Correlation analysis confirmed that SOC fractions play a crucial role in driving SOC mineralization and are intricately linked with SOC dynamics. Random forest analysis identified soil erosion rate, SOC, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content as key factors influencing SOC mineralization under SRT. The findings suggest that CRT is more effective in reducing soil erosion by modifying microtopography, thereby minimizing the migration of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and enhancing SOC retention. This research provides critical insights for developing sustainable land management practices in the region, mitigating the adverse impacts of erosion on the carbon cycle.
Li, Mengni; Agricultural Clean Watershed Research Group, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural, Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Eco-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
Zhang, Qingwen; Agricultural Clean Watershed Research Group, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural, Sciences/Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Rural Eco-Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
Meersmans, Jeroen ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Echanges Eau - Sol - Plantes
Degré, Aurore ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre > Echanges Eau - Sol - Plantes
Language :
English
Title :
Distribution patterns of SOC fractions and mineralization on sloping erosion-prone farmland in the black soil region
Publication date :
2025
Journal title :
International Soil and Water Conservation Research
This work was supported by the Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS-CSAL-202302, CAAS-CSGLCA-IEDA-202402), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41977072).
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