ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Changes in Soil Carbon, Nitrogen,
and Phosphorus along a Chronosequence
of Caragana microphylla Plantation,
Northwestern China
Jia-Bin Liu1, Yu-Qing Zhang1,2, Bin Wu1,2, Shu-Gao Qin1,2, Xin Jia1,2, Wei Feng1
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1College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
2Yanchi Research Station, Yanchi, Ningxia 751500, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(2):385-391
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ABSTRACT
Changes in soil properties during long-term planting require thorough study. The objectives of this study
were to determine the influence of planting Caragana microphylla on grassland on soil carbon, nitrogen, and
phosphorus to a depth of 20 cm along a 34-year chronosequence encompassing 10 plantation-age groups in
northwest, China. We found soil organic carbon increased by -21.84%, 0%, and 39.09% in planting years 5,
21, and 34, respectively. Total nitrogen and total phosphorus began to change in the plantation years 9 and 7,
and increased by 70.59% and -28.26% in year 34. Both available nitrogen and available phosphorus increased
across the chronosequence. The results indicate that the processes of changes in soil carbon, nitrogen, and
phosphorus are different in a long-term chronosequence, and that Caragana microphylla has potential to
improve soil properties after it is planted on grassland.