[Temporal and Spatial Variations of Soil Organic Carbon and the Influencing Factors in Shaanxi Province in Recent 30 Years].

Abstract

Soil organic carbon （SOC） variation is a significant indicator for the soil quality dynamic and global carbon cycle. Therefore, it is necessary to study the regional temporal and spatial distribution of SOC pool and the influencing factors. In this study, a total of 540 soil data and environmental variables were collected from Shaanxi Province during a 30-year period from 1985 to 2015, and univariate analysis of variance and path analysis were used to explore the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of SOC content and the influencing factors of SOC change. The results showed that the SOC contents of Shaanxi Province in both 1985 and 2015 were the highest in central Shaanxi, followed by those in southern Shaanxi, and they were significantly higher than those in northern Shaanxi. From 1985 to 2015, the increase in SOC in southern Shaanxi was the highest （21.28%）, and that in central Shaanxi was 15.33%. The content of SOC in northern Shaanxi was decreased by 10.23%, caused by significant decrements in the bottom horizons of 60-80 cm and 80-100 cm. Compared with that in 1985, the increases in SOC content in the 0-100 cm soil profile （with every 20 cm as a horizon） ranged from 3.21% to 29.39% in 2015. The increase in SOC content of skeletal soils was largest, followed by that of alluvial soils. Correlation analysis and path analysis showed that SOC content was positively correlated with altitude, average annual precipitation, normalized vegetation index, and total nitrogen content and was in significant negative correlation with curvature, bulk density, and pH. Total nitrogen content was the main controlling factor affecting SOC content. The results of the study can provide reference for future carbon management measures in the region.