Distribution of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur in the soil in a multiple habitat system in India
- 1 January 2009
- journal article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Soil Research
- Vol. 47 (2), 177-189
- https://doi.org/10.1071/sr08087
Abstract
We measured the background level and spatial variation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) and associated basic soil parameters along the depth profile for 3 years, in 3 habitats (woodland, wetland, and grassland), in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), an important water fowl reserve and a world heritage site in India. The study examined soils at 5 depths (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 m) for 3 years, i.e. from 2003 to 2005. Total organic C (TOC), total N (TN), total available P (TAP), and total available S (TAS), irrespective of the habitat type and year, were found to be highest in the litter layer, gradually declining with depth. Elemental ratios (C : N, C : P, and C : S) followed the same declining trend, whereas the N : P ratio increased down the soil profile. The high C : N and C : S ratios in the litter layer suggest the relatively low mobilisation of N and S from the decaying detritus layer. All the variables studied varied significantly among the soil layers (GLM-ANOVA, P < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed 4 components based on examination of the scree plot. The first component accounted for 27.1% of the total variance in soil characteristics among samples, reflecting the influence of soil variables such as P, TOC, and pH. The second component accounted for 23.5% of the total variance, reflecting the influence of total dissolved solids (TDS) and TAS. The influence of C on elemental ratio (C : S) was pointed by the third component, accounted for 14.2% of the total variance. The fourth component accounted for 13.6% of the variance, indicating the influence of soil TN. Thus, the 4 PCA components that accounted for 78.4% of the total variance in the data can be qualified as N : P/soil P/C, TDS/TAS, C : S ratio, and soil TN, respectively.Keywords
This publication has 40 references indexed in Scilit:
- Spatial distribution characteristics of organic matter and total nitrogen of marsh soils in river marginal wetlandsGeoderma, 2005
- Scale-dependent relationships between the spatial distribution of a limiting resource and plant species diversity in an African grassland ecosystemOecologia, 2004
- Hydric Soils in a Southeastern Oregon Vernal PoolSoil Science Society of America Journal, 2003
- The effects of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. leaf letter on C and N mineralization in soils from pasture and native forestSoil Biology and Biochemistry, 1999
- Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization in Tallgrass Prairie and Agricultural Soil ProfilesSoil Science Society of America Journal, 1998
- Marsh vegetation patterns and soil phosphorus gradients in the Everglades ecosystemAquatic Botany, 1997
- Spatio-temporal variations in sediment nutrient levels: the River AdourLandscape Ecology, 1997
- HYDRAULIC LIFT AND SOIL NUTRIENT HETEROGENEITYIsrael Journal of Plant Sciences, 1994
- Soil properties and nutrient distribution in Terminalia superba stands of different age series grown in two soil types of southwestern NigeriaForest Ecology and Management, 1993
- SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN SELECTED ILLINOIS MOLLISOLSSoil Science, 1990