Alpine soil nutrient and microbial biomass properties at different altitudes in winter
Abstract
Soil ecology processes play an important role in mineral element transformation and plant distribution in winter. To further understand the ecological processes in alpine soil in winter, soil samples were collected at four altitudes (890 m, 1,800 m, 2,400 m, and 3,020 m) at the Mount Emei, Sichuan Province, China. Additionally, the soil temperature, water content, microbial biomass, and soil nutrients contents were determined at these altitudes. A regular trend of changes in the soil temperature with the increase in the altitudinal gradient was established. Except for TP and TK, the contents of soil OM, TN, NH4 +-N, NO3 —N, MBC, and MBN were the highest at the altitude of 2,400 m, characterized by unfrozen soil, a lower temperature, and a higher humidity. Our findings indicate that the organic matter content and mineral nutrition level of the high-altitude soils at Mount Emei are high and provide a pool of nutrients in amounts that are sufficient for the growth of plants in the non-growing season and the spring of the next year. The research results obtained not only fill in the knowledge gap of the soil ecological processes in winter in Mount Emei, but also provide a theoretical basis for research on soil nutrient cycling and vegetation distribution patterns in the Mount Emei area.
- Publication:
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Materials Science and Engineering Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1757-899X/394/2/022008
- Bibcode:
- 2018MS&E..394b2008Y