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Distribution characteristics of SOM and nitrogen on the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain

  • Soil Geography
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Abstract

The distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) and nitrogen on Gongga Mountain was studied in this paper. The results showed that the content of SOM and nitrogen (N) of A horizon had an ascending trend with the increase of the elevation. The vegetation types distributed higher than the mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forest have the irregular trends. In the transitional zone vegetation such as mixed trees and treeline, the content of SOM and N is higher than other vegetation types. The distribution of SOM and N of A horizon is dependent on the synthetic effect of climate and vegetation types. The vertical distribution of SOM and N in soil profiles has the similar trends for all kinds of vegetation types, i.e., the content of A horizon is higher than that of the B and C horizons, which is the same to the distribution of dead animal and plant in soil. The soil C:N is between 7 and 25, which is relatively low comparing to the appropriate C:N of 25–30. The ratio of soil carbon to nitrogen (C:N) increases with the increase of the elevation, but its vertical distribution in soil horizons varies with different vegetation types. The N exists in SOM mainly in the form of organic nitrogen, and the soil C: N correlates significantly with SOM.

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Lin, W., Hua, O.Y., Kui, P. et al. Distribution characteristics of SOM and nitrogen on the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain. J. Geogr. Sci. 14, 481–487 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02837492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02837492

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