Restoration of shrub communities elevates organic carbon in arid soils of northwestern China

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry 2012-04, Vol.47, p.123-132
• Main Authors: Gang, Huang, Xue-yong, Zhao, Yu-qiang, Li, Jian-yuan, Cui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Artemisia; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Caragana; Carbon sequestration; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Fine-root production; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Litter; Net primary production; Organic matter; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Salix; Sandy land restoration; Shrub; Soil science; Turnover rate
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.12.025

Artificial restoration by shrub plantation in semi-arid sandy land can increase carbon sequestration. However, little information is available on the carbon flux input to soil resulted from fine roots turnover and leaf fallen during restoration. The present study relying on the ingrowth core and sequential core methods investigated the fine-root dynamics and fine-root production of three shrub stands (dominated by Artemisia halodendron, Caragana microphylla and Salix gordejevii respectively) which have different life-forms and root architectures. The soil carbon and nitrogen stock was also estimated in the restoration, and the relative contribution of carbon input related to fine root mortality and leaf fallen was assessed. The mean standing live and dead fine-root biomass in A. halodendron stand at the primary restoration were significantly less than in C. microphylla stand at moderate restoration and S. gordejevii stand in lowland. Consistent with leaf production, fine root production showed a positive correlation with soil water content and followed the order of A. halodendron