Distribution of SOCD along different offshore distances in China's fresh-water lake-Chaohu under different habitats

Abstract

Carbon storage in wetland ecosystems is an important part of the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems and provides important ecosystem services. Chaohu Wetland is a typical freshwater lake wetland in China.In this study, soil and plant samples were collected every 500m through three sample lines of different vegetation habitats (estuarine banks, woodlands and shrub beaches) and different offshore distances, revealing the spatial distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon density in Chaohu wetland. The results show that: 1) The overall SOCD of Chaohu Lake wetland is low, the soil carbon density of different habitats is Woodland༞Estuary and riverside༞Shrub and beach, and the SOCD of different offshore distances has no obvious law, and the SOCD content decreases significantly with the deepening of the soil layer; 2) The plant biomass of the Woodland habitat is significantly higher than that of other habitats, and its soil nutrient indicators are also the highest, and the Estuary-riverside habitat has the highest N and P content. Soil and plant nutrients at different offshore distances have no obvious changes; 3) The contents of soil K, Ca, Mg, and N are significantly positively correlated with SOCD, soil bulk density and pH are significantly negatively correlated with SOCD, and vegetation P content is significantly negatively correlated with SOCD. In a comprehensive understanding, the SOCD changes in different spaces of lake wetlands are the result of the combined effects of plant nutrients, biomass, and soil physical and chemical properties. Chaohu wetlands may experience serious degradation. This research provides scientific and technical support for the restoration, protection and scientific management of the Chaohu wetland ecosystem.