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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (11): 53-64.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2023011

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Geometric distribution, formation, and topological structure of soil aggregates after introduction of Caragana korshinskii on the desert steppe

Zhi-hao ZHU1,2,3(), Chen MENG1,2,3(), Xing WANG1,2,3, Nai-ping SONG1,2,3, Li WANG1,2,3, Miao-miao XU4, Ling-tong DU1,2,3   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecosystem Restoration in Northwest China,Ningxia University,Yinchuan 750021,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystems in Northwest China,Yinchuan 750021,China
    3.College of Ecological Environment,Ningxia University,Yinchuan 750021,China
    4.College of Agronomy,Ningxia University,Yinchuan 750021,China
  • Received:2023-01-05 Revised:2023-03-27 Online:2023-11-20 Published:2023-09-27
  • Contact: Chen MENG

Abstract:

The aims of this work were to understand the distribution, formation, and topological structure of soil aggregates after the artificial establishment of Caragana korshinskii shrubland, and to understand changes in soil ecology and function after the introduction and growth of C. korshinskii. Ultimately, the goal is to guide the formulation of strategies to manage C. korshinskii shrubland and soil resources. C. korshinskii shrublands of five different ages (0, 9, 14, 24, and 35 years old) in the desert steppe area of Yanchi County, Ningxia, were selected as the study sites. The geometric distribution and topology of soil aggregates in C. korshinskii shrubland of different ages were studied by CT scanning and image analyses. With increasing time after the introduction of C. korshinskii, the number, length, volume, surface area, and average equivalent diameter of soil aggregates showed increasing trends, while the average sphericity of aggregates decreased. The number of soil aggregates increased with greater soil depth, but the average equivalent diameter and average sphericity of aggregates decreased with greater soil depth. The introduction and continuous restoration of C. korshinskii were conducive to the formation of surface soil aggregates (especially large aggregates), but led to a decrease in the average sphericity of aggregates. The morphology and stability of aggregates formed in the soil after the introduction of C. korshinskii shrubland differed from those of grassland soil aggregates. Further studies should focus on which morphological characteristics are related to aggregate stability, as this is of great significance for understanding the formation of soil aggregates and their ecological functions.

Key words: aggregates, geometric distribution, topology, Caragana korshinskii, CT scanning