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Distribution Characteristics and Drivers of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in the Drylands of Central Asia

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  • Yusen Chen

    (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Urumqi 830011, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shihang Zhang

    (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Urumqi 830011, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yongdong Wang

    (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Urumqi 830011, China)

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (C) and soil total nitrogen (N) show different degrees of spatial variability at different scales. Both are important components of soil nutrients and essential elements for plant growth and development, and are closely related to biogeochemical cycles. However, there is limited information on the regional spatial validity of SOC and TN and the associated drivers at the scale of the Central Asian drylands. Therefore, this study uses the ISRIC-WISE (International Soil Reference and Information Centre-Word Inventory of Soil Property Estimates) database to conduct soil sampling at the raster level, combined with relevant climatic and environmental datasets, to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics and drivers of soil C and N in the drylands of Central Asia using classical geostatistical methods and structural equation modelling (SEM). The results of this study show that the distributions of soil C and N contents in the dry zone of Central Asia have greater similarity, with C content mainly concentrated in the ranges of 0–5.5 g/kg and 11.1–15.9 g/kg; soil N content mainly concentrated in the range of 0.4–1.1 g/kg, and the soil C:N ratio mainly concentrated in the range of 12.2–28.9. Structural equation modelling showed that the main driver of soil C change was Aridity (−0.51); the main driver of soil N change was Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) (−0.44); and soil C:N change was most influenced by Aboveground biomass (AGB) (−0.25). An analysis of the relative importance contribution showed that Aridity had the highest relative importance with regard to the change in C (32%); MAT had the highest relative importance with regard to the changes in N and C:N (29% and 40%, respectively). The above findings provide a reference for the use of soil resources in drylands and provide a scientific basis for regional differences in the response of arid ecosystems to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Yusen Chen & Shihang Zhang & Yongdong Wang, 2022. "Distribution Characteristics and Drivers of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in the Drylands of Central Asia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:10:p:1723-:d:933973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo & Fernando T. Maestre & Antonio Gallardo & Matthew A. Bowker & Matthew D. Wallenstein & Jose Luis Quero & Victoria Ochoa & Beatriz Gozalo & Miguel García-Gómez & Santiago Soli, 2013. "Decoupling of soil nutrient cycles as a function of aridity in global drylands," Nature, Nature, vol. 502(7473), pages 672-676, October.
    2. Nicolas Gruber & James N. Galloway, 2008. "An Earth-system perspective of the global nitrogen cycle," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7176), pages 293-296, January.
    3. Eric A. Davidson & Ivan A. Janssens, 2006. "Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition and feedbacks to climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 440(7081), pages 165-173, March.
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