SCHRIFTENREIHE Institut für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde ...
SCHRIFTENREIHE Institut für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde ...
SCHRIFTENREIHE Institut für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde ...
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Chapter 2 Spatial variability of soil properties affected by grazing intensity in Inner Mongolia grassland<br />
2. Spatial variability of soil properties affected by<br />
grazing intensity in Inner Mongolia grassland<br />
Ying Zhao, Stephan Peth, Julia Krümmelbein, Rainer Horn, Zhongyan Wang,<br />
Markus Steffens, Carsten Hoffmann, Xinhua Peng<br />
Ecological Modelling. 205:241–254.<br />
Abstract<br />
Analysis of the spatial variability of soil properties is important to interpret<br />
the site-specific ecosystems not only with respect to process investigations but<br />
also to model upscaling. This paper aims to study the effects of the grazing<br />
intensity on soil physical and mechanical properties and their interactions in a<br />
Leymus chinensis steppe of the Xilin river watershed, Inner Mongolia, China.<br />
The investigated sites were subjected to five grazing intensities (Ungrazed since<br />
1979, Ungrazed since 1999, Winter grazing, Continuous grazing and Heavy<br />
grazing). Soil water content (SWC), hydraulic conductivity (K), water drop<br />
penetration time (WDPT), shear strength (SS), soil organic carbon (SOC)<br />
concentration, bulk density (BD), and soil texture were measured at a grid with<br />
15 m sampling distance on the surface soil during the period of 2004-2005. The<br />
data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and geostatistics. The correlation<br />
and interaction between soil properties were analyzed by the methods of<br />
Pearson correlation, partial correlation and multiple regression analysis. The<br />
results showed that spatial distributions of soil properties could be well described<br />
by spherical or exponential models. The ranges of spatial dependence were the<br />
highest for WDPT and the lowest for SS. Grazing resulted in decreasing SWC,<br />
SOC and WDPT but increased BD and SS. Multiple regression analysis showed<br />
significant correlations among SWC, K, WDPT, SOC and BD; as well as<br />
between SS and silt content. Soil compaction induced by sheep trampling,<br />
especially in the heavily grazed site, inclined to a homogenous spatial<br />
distribution of soil properties, which will possibly enhance soil vulnerability to<br />
water and nutrient loss, and consequently reduce the plant available water and<br />
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