Land degradation resistance potential of a dry, semiarid region in relation to soil organic carbon stocks, carbon management index, and soil aggregate stability

Abstract

Dry stable aggregates, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and aggregate-associated carbon are measured as vital factors for preserving soil quality. Different land use systems strongly impacts the services of the ecosystem to influence soil degradation and loss of carbon. Little is known about the dry aggregates stability and SOC stocks in the dry, semiarid region of Balochistan, Pakistan or how these resist land degradation. This study aimed to assess the impact of several land-use systems on SOC stocks, the distribution of soil aggregates, and the carbon management index. The treatments consisted of five land-use systems, namely, grassland, cropland, fallow land, forests, and vegetation, typically prevail in the region. Three layers of soil were used to sample it (0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm) and sieved into five aggregate classes (>8, 8-5, 5-2, 2-0.25, and <0.25 mm). The grasslands had significant higher SOC concentrations (12.83 g kg À1 ), SOC stocks (19.44 mg ha À1 ), liability index (0.89 g kg À1 ), nonlabile C (9.56 g kg À1 ), labile C (0.35 g kg À1 ), carbon management index (204.6), and easily oxidizable carbon (3.27 g kg À1 ), when compared with fallow land. Moreover, grassland and forestland soils contained larger macroaggregates (>0.25 mm), although the fallow land-use system had a higher degree of micro aggregates (<0.25 mm). We found strong relationship of soil SOC with SOC concentration of soil aggregates and other labile fractions of carbon. Therefore, grassland and forestland promotes the aggregate-associated SOC and carbon management index by enhancing the soil aggregation and is therefore a possible managing option to develop the SOC sequestration potential of eroded dry soils.

Rhizoglomus intraradices Is More Prominent in Improving Soil Aggregate Distribution and Stability Than in Improving Plant Physiological Activities

“…SOC is a marker of soil fertility, as well as a key component of biosphere stability and sustainability [19]. In most cases, AMF accelerate SOC formation and sequestration and also provide physical protection for SOC [59,60].…”

“…Soil aggregates are an important component of soil structure, as they influence processes such as soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization and microbial activity [19,20]. The formation of soil aggregates is influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors [21].…”

SOC stocks prediction on the basis of spatial and temporal variation in soil properties by using partial least square regression

“…In the dry land cropping system, even no-tillage doesn't work alone to cause increase in the SOC percentage [37][38][39] . The dry-aggregates associated carbon is the prime SOC stock stored in the semi-arid soils of Pakistan 40 . So, in order to increase it, the focus should be shifted to broader soil management strategies such as integrated nutrient management and planned planation.…”

Interacting Effects of Land Use Type, Soil Attributes, and Environmental Factors on Aggregate Stability

“…Additionally, Zhong et al [14] suggested that vegetation restoration promotes the physical protection of soil organic carbon by increasing the abundance of soil aggregates, and that the formation of macro-aggregates is important for maintaining steady soil carbon levels. Finally, Ameer et al [15] reported a strong correlation between soil organic carbon and soil aggregates, leading them to conclude that fallow periods can enhance soil fertility. The stability of soil aggregates depends on both environmental factors and the soil's physicochemical properties, and the results of previous studies suggest that this fertility enhancement may be primarily due to changes in the organic carbon content that indirectly affect aggregate stability [16].…”