Natural revegetation over ∼ 160 years alters carbon and nitrogen sequestration and stabilization in soil organic matter on the Loess Plateau of China

• Published in: Catena (Giessen) 2023-01, Vol.220, p.106647, Article 106647
• Main Authors: Yang, Wen, Zhang, Di, Cai, Xinwen, Yang, Xitong, Zhang, Huan, Wang, Yaqi, Diao, Longfei, Luo, Yiqi, Cheng, Xiaoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 13C and 15N; C and N stabilization; Density and size fractionation; Mineral-associated organic matter; Vegetation restoration
• ISSN: 0341-8162; 1872-6887
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2022.106647

[Display omitted] •Natural revegetation enhanced soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration in SOM fractions.•The allocation of C and N in SOM fractions altered along with natural revegetation.•Natural revegetation promoted physical stabilization of SOC and SON in surface soil.•The C:N ratio in SOM, FLF, and IPOM (0–20 cm) increased with natural revegetation.•The highest δ13C and δ15N values of SOM, FLF, and IPOM were found in the farmland. Natural revegetation has been reported to play a very active role in ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sinks in degenerated ecosystems. However, the responses of C and N sequestration and stabilization in soil organic matter (SOM) to natural revegetation remain inadequately understood. In this study, we analyzed C and N contents and δ13C and δ15N values of SOM, free light fraction (FLF), intra-aggregate particulate organic matter (IPOM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) along ∼ 160 years of natural revegetation on the Loess Plateau of China. The results showed that natural revegetation significantly (P