Effects of vegetation restoration on soil organic carbon sequestration at multiple scales in semi-arid Loess Plateau, China

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

WANG, Y.

State Key Lab. of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, CAS, Beijing, Chine

FU, B.

State Key Lab. of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, CAS, Beijing, Chine

LÜ, Y.

State Key Lab. of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, CAS, Beijing, Chine

CHEN, L.

State Key Lab. of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, CAS, Beijing, Chine

Description :
Since 1999, the program of “Grain for Green” has been implemented in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China. In this study, the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks due to the vegetation restoration in the middle of Loess Plateau were estimated at patch, hill slope transect and small watershed scale from 1998 to 2006. Soil samples were taken from field for the determination of cesium-137 and SOC contents. Vegetation cover change from 1998 to 2006 at the small watershed scale was assessed using Geographic Information System. The results showed that cropland transforming to grassland or shrubland significantly increased SOC at patch scale. The results have demonstrated general positive effects of vegetation restoration on SOC sequestration at multiple scales. However, soil erosion under rugged topography modified the spatial distribution of the SOC sequestration effects.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2011, vol. 85, n°. 1, p. 58-66, nombre de pages : 9, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais