Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2019, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 773-780.doi: 10.19741/j.issn.1673-4831.2018.0502

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study on the Relationship Between Physical and Chemical Properties of Grassland Surface Soil and Altitude in Xarxili Nature Reserve

LIU Xi-gang, WANG Yong-hui, JIAO Li   

  1. College of Geographical Science and Tourism, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, China
  • Received:2018-08-17 Online:2019-06-25 Published:2019-06-25

Abstract:

To explore the relationship between physical and chemical properties of grassland surface soil and altitude in the Xarxili Nature Reserve, 15 representative grassland surface soil samples were acquired from different altitudes in the protected area and the physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were quantitatively analyzed by field investigation and laboratory tests. The results show that there were significant differences (P<0. 05) in soil physical property indices in the grassland surface at different altitudes. Soil bulk density, saturated moisture content, natural water content, and porosity content were significantly correlated with altitude (P<0. 01), and soil bulk weight decreased gradually with the increasing of altitudes, having a minimum value of 0. 91 g·cm-3 at 2 142. 24 m. There were also significant differences in chemical indices of the grassland surface soil at different altitudes (P<0. 05). The variation ranges of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus mass fractions were 3. 72%-11. 98%, 1. 25%-3. 25%, and 0. 121%-0. 159%, respectively, all increasing with the increase of altitude. The maximum values were observed at the altitude of 2 142. 24 m. However, the pH value changed in the opposite direction. The physical and chemical properties of grassland surface soil varied with different altitudes with the best at the altitude of 2 142. 24 m and the worst at the altitude of 835. 23 m. For different soil types, the physical and chemical properties of grassland surface soil comprehensively manifest in the order of black calcium soil > chestnut soil > brown calcium soil.

Key words: Xarxili Nature Reserve, grassland surface soil, physical and chemical properties, altitude

CLC Number: