Mechanism and Evolution of Soil Organic Carbon Coupling with Rocky Desertification in South China Karst

Rocky desertification in South China Karst initially reduces soil organic carbon (SOC) storage but may later lead to SOC accumulation, depending on the severity. This counterintuitive finding emerged from an analysis of 1212 soil samples across five distinct karst landforms: karst low hills/virgin forest (KLH), peak-cluster depressions (KPCD), canyons (KC), plateau basins (KPB), and trough valleys (KTV). Researchers found that while SOC content decreases with increasing rocky desertification, light desertification stages may paradoxically enhance SOC accumulation. The study also revealed that slope position, gradient, and aspect significantly influence SOC distribution by affecting vegetation composition and desertification evolution. Notably, the KPCD landform exhibited the highest SOC storage capacity (10.79 kg·m−2), followed by KPB, KLH, KTV, and KC. These insights suggest that rocky outcrops control SOC dynamics, while environmental factors indirectly shape SOC content through their impact on vegetation and desertification processes.

Wang, X., Huang, X., Xiong, K., Hu, J., Zhang, Z., & Zhang, J. (2021). Mechanism and Evolution of Soil Organic Carbon Coupling with Rocky Desertification in South China Karst. Forests, 13(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13010028