Changes of Soil Properties along the Altitudinal Gradients in Subarctic Mountain Landscapes of Putorana Plateau, Central Siberia

Abstract

Changes of soil properties along elevational gradients were studied in a less accessible and explored forest-tundra ecotone in the NW part of Central Siberia. Data on soil physical and chemical properties were collected along three horizontal transects at an elevation of 100–420 m a.s.l., at two localities differing in the slope angle. At each transect, five soil pits were excavated to a depth of 0.3–0.4 m. Soil samples were taken from the depths of 0–0.1 m, 0.1–0.2 m, and 0.2–0.3 m. The results showed a pronounced effect of slope angle on the pattern of soil properties along the elevational gradient. At the locality with a gentle slope, soils exhibited 2.5 times larger thickness of the surface organic layer (SOL), higher pH, and Na+ content, and lower C, N, Ald, and Fed concentration indicating slower pedogenic processes on this site. On the other hand, at the locality with a steeper slope, soil properties were better differentiated between transects situated along elevational gradient especially at the depths of 0.1–0.2 and 0.2–0.3 m. However, a clear positive or negative trend with the altitude was observed only for some soil characteristics, e.g., SOL, C, N, or Ald concentrations on the Lama location.

Impact of Elevation Change on the Physicochemical Properties of Forest Soil in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Soil can infuence plant community composition and physiological activities directly, and it is one of the key indexes in the functional recovery and maintenance of ecosystems. It is an essential component of nearly every ecosystem in sustaining the existence of many forms of life on earth, provides a medium for plant growth, supplies the organisms with most of their nutritional requirements, and regulates the environment [1,3]. In addition, food, fodder, and fuel are provided for meeting basic human and animal needs [4].…”

“…Kumar et al [25] and Ambade et al [26], indicated that the concentration of PAHs was higher in the winter season than in the summer season, and the health risk issue is higher in the winter season than in the summer season [27]. Various studies addressed the impact of elevation on soil physicochemical properties [3,14,15,[28][29][30][31][32][33], but there are limited data from forest ecosystems.…”

Interrelationships among mountain relief, surface organic layer, soil organic carbon, and its mineral association under subarctic forest tundra

“…The average permafrost table depth of 27 cm, observed in several sites under a thick SOL, coincided with the 22–35 cm interval established for a shallow permafrost spot-like occurrence on gentle slopes in the Putorana Plateau's eastern part 30 under a more continental climate. As mineral soil is largely affected by energy and material flows, the combined influence of its upper and lower boundaries, formed by the SOL and permafrost, has a great potential to affect soil weathering and SOC sequestration by thermal insulation and upward cooling 74 . In this case, the shallow permafrost table is a responder to and a driver or inhibitor of ecosystem characteristics and processes simultaneously.…”