Distribution Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon in Degraded Forest Land in the Sandstorm Area of Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province

[Objectives] To explore the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon in degraded forest land in the sandstorm area of Jingbian County, Shaanxi Province. [Methods] The distribution characteristics and abundance of 0-20 cm shallow soil organic carbon in 5 towns in the sandstorm area in the north of Jingbian County were studied by field sampling and indoor detection. [Results] The average soil organic carbon contents in Hongdunjie Town, Haizetan Town, Huanghaojie Town, Ningtiaoliang Town and Dongkeng Town were 2.93, 3.21, 2.53, 2.54, and 4.08 g/kg, respectively, which were all lower than the national background value (31.00 g/kg). The coefficients of variation of soil organic carbon content in Hongdunjie Town, Huanghaojie Town and Dongkeng Town were 59.04%, 35.97%, and 47.55%, respectively, with higher coefficients of variation and larger differences in spatial distribution. The organic carbon content of Haizetan Town and Dongkeng Town was above the abundance, accounting for 70% and 50%, which were relatively rich, while the soil organic carbon content of Hongdunjie was relatively scarce. The average content of soil organic carbon in the sandstorm area was 3.03 g/kg, which was also lower than the national background value. The coefficient of variation was 46.53%, showing high coefficient of variation and large difference in spatial distribution. In addition, 20.41% of the average content of soil organic carbon in the sandstorm area was in the deficient level, and 79.59% were in the moderate or above level. [Conclusions] The study of distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon in degraded forest land in the sandstorm area of Jingbian County will better serve the precise management of soil resources.