Soil organic carbon sequestration potential of artificial and natural vegetation in the hilly regions of Loess Plateau

• Published in: Ecological engineering Vol. 82; pp. 547 - 554
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhiqi, Guo, Shengli, Sun, Qiqi, Li, Nana, Jiang, Jishao, Wang, Rui, Zhang, Yanjun, Liu, Qingfang, Wu, Defeng, Li, Rujian, Du, Lanlan, Zhao, Man
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2015
• Subjects: Biomass; Fine root biomass; Grasslands; Loess; Loess Plateau; Natural and artificial vegetation restoration; Raw materials; Restoration; Roots; SOC stock; Vegetation; Woodlands; China, People's Rep., Loess Plateau; SOC stock; Natural and artificial vegetation restoration; Fine root biomass; Loess Plateau
• ISSN: 0925-8574; 1872-6992
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.05.031

Relationship between the differences in SOC stock (Mgha−1) and fine root biomass (Mgha−1) under artificial and natural vegetation restoration. [Display omitted] •Natural vegetation restoration was better than artificial vegetation restoration on SOC stock.•Biomass and C/N ratio of fine root under natural restored vegetation was greatly higher against that of artificial vegetation.•Fine root was an important factor leading to the differences in SOC stock under natural and artificial vegetation. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the stock and distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and the quantity and quality of fine root; and (ii) the correlation between SOC stock and fine root quantity and quality in soils of artificial and natural vegetation in the Loess Plateau. Three vegetation types (grassland, shrubland and woodland) and two restoration approaches (artificially and naturally restored from cropland) were investigated in the Yangou watershed of the Loess Plateau. SOC stock, fine root biomass and root C/N ratio at the 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100cm depths were determined. The mean SOC stock of natural vegetation at the 0–100cm depth was significantly greater than that of artificial vegetation, with an increase of 100% for woodland, 15% for shrubland, and 23% for grassland. Natural vegetation restoration led to a significantly greater SOC stock up to a depth of 100cm for woodland, 40cm for shrubland, and 40cm for grassland. The fine root biomass of natural vegetation at the 0–100cm depth was also significantly greater than that of artificial vegetation, with an increase of 170% for woodland, 140% for shrubland, and 20% for grassland. Natural vegetation restoration led to a significantly greater fine root biomass up to a depth of 100cm for woodland, 60cm for shrubland, and only 20cm for grassland. There was a significant linear correlation between SOC stock and fine root biomass. Thus, natural vegetation restoration could lead to a significantly greater SOC stock, fine root biomass, and fine root C/N ratio than the artificial vegetation restoration. Fine root was an important factor influencing the differences in the SOC stock between artificial and natural vegetation.