Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China
Soil active nitrogen (N) fractions are essential for plant growth and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. While previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of vegetation restoration on soil active nitrogen in karst ecosystems, the role of microclimate variation in rocky desertifica...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Qian Wu Chengjiao Rao Wende Yan Yuanying Peng Enwen Wang Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_facet | Qian Wu Chengjiao Rao Wende Yan Yuanying Peng Enwen Wang Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_sort | Qian Wu |
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| description | Soil active nitrogen (N) fractions are essential for plant growth and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. While previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of vegetation restoration on soil active nitrogen in karst ecosystems, the role of microclimate variation in rocky desertification areas has not been well explored. This study investigates soil active nitrogen fractions and key biotic and abiotic factors across four grades of rocky desertification—non-rocky desertification (NRD), light rocky desertification (LRD), moderate rocky desertification (MRD), and intense rocky desertification (IRD)—within two distinct microclimates: a dry-hot valley and a humid monsoon zone in the karst region of Guizhou Province, China. We evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), soil nitrate nitrogen (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soluble organic nitrogen (SON), and plant diversity. Results showed that SOC, TN, and TP were significantly higher in IRD areas. Soil NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N, MBN, and SON initially decreased before increasing, with consistent MBN growth in the dry-hot valley. NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N did not differ significantly under NRD but was higher in the dry-hot valley under LRD, MRD, and IRD. The dry-hot valley had higher MBN and SON across most desertification grades. Microclimate significantly influenced soil active N, with higher levels in the dry-hot valley under LRD and MRD conditions. Plant diversity and regeneration varied markedly between the microclimates. In the dry-hot valley, <i>Artemisia</i> dominated herbaceous regeneration, especially in MRD areas. Conversely, the humid monsoon zone showed more diverse regeneration, with <i>Artemisia</i> and <i>Bidens</i> prevalent in MRD and NRD grades. Despite declining plant diversity with desertification, the humid monsoon zone displayed greater resilience. These findings highlight the role of microclimate in influencing soil nitrogen dynamics and plant regeneration across rocky desertification gradients, offering insights for restoration strategies in karst ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2881daa795244f68b28279da026e47d0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2881daa795244f68b28279da026e47d02025-08-20T02:28:19ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-04-01148125110.3390/plants14081251Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest ChinaQian Wu0Chengjiao Rao1Wende Yan2Yuanying Peng3Enwen Wang4Xiaoyong Chen5College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anshun University, Anshun 561000, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Arts and Sciences, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL 60446, USACollege of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anshun University, Anshun 561000, ChinaCollege of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, University Park, IL 60484, USASoil active nitrogen (N) fractions are essential for plant growth and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. While previous studies have primarily focused on the impact of vegetation restoration on soil active nitrogen in karst ecosystems, the role of microclimate variation in rocky desertification areas has not been well explored. This study investigates soil active nitrogen fractions and key biotic and abiotic factors across four grades of rocky desertification—non-rocky desertification (NRD), light rocky desertification (LRD), moderate rocky desertification (MRD), and intense rocky desertification (IRD)—within two distinct microclimates: a dry-hot valley and a humid monsoon zone in the karst region of Guizhou Province, China. We evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), soil nitrate nitrogen (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), soluble organic nitrogen (SON), and plant diversity. Results showed that SOC, TN, and TP were significantly higher in IRD areas. Soil NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N, MBN, and SON initially decreased before increasing, with consistent MBN growth in the dry-hot valley. NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N did not differ significantly under NRD but was higher in the dry-hot valley under LRD, MRD, and IRD. The dry-hot valley had higher MBN and SON across most desertification grades. Microclimate significantly influenced soil active N, with higher levels in the dry-hot valley under LRD and MRD conditions. Plant diversity and regeneration varied markedly between the microclimates. In the dry-hot valley, <i>Artemisia</i> dominated herbaceous regeneration, especially in MRD areas. Conversely, the humid monsoon zone showed more diverse regeneration, with <i>Artemisia</i> and <i>Bidens</i> prevalent in MRD and NRD grades. Despite declining plant diversity with desertification, the humid monsoon zone displayed greater resilience. These findings highlight the role of microclimate in influencing soil nitrogen dynamics and plant regeneration across rocky desertification gradients, offering insights for restoration strategies in karst ecosystems.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1251soil active nitrogenmicroclimate typeskarst ecosystemrocky desertificationbiodiversity |
| spellingShingle | Qian Wu Chengjiao Rao Wende Yan Yuanying Peng Enwen Wang Xiaoyong Chen Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China Plants soil active nitrogen microclimate types karst ecosystem rocky desertification biodiversity |
| title | Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China |
| title_full | Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China |
| title_fullStr | Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China |
| title_short | Microclimatic Influences on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics and Plant Diversity Across Rocky Desertification Gradients in Southwest China |
| title_sort | microclimatic influences on soil nitrogen dynamics and plant diversity across rocky desertification gradients in southwest china |
| topic | soil active nitrogen microclimate types karst ecosystem rocky desertification biodiversity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/8/1251 |
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