Ecosystem functions including soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available potassium are crucial for vegetation recovery

Abstract

The effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functions have been extensively studied, but little is known about the effects of ecosystem functions on biodiversity. This knowledge is important for understanding biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Desertification reversal is a significant global challenge, but the factors that play key roles in this process remain unclear. Here, using data sampled from areas undergoing desertification reversal, we identify the dominant soil factors that play a role in vegetation recovery with ordinary least squares and structural equation modelling. We found that ecosystem functions related to the cycling of soil carbon (organic C, SOC), nitrogen (total N, TN), and potassium (available K, AK) had the most substantial effects on vegetation recovery. The effects of these ecosystem functions were simultaneously influenced by the soil clay, silt and coarse sand fractions and the soil water content. Our findings suggest that K plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and is a limiting factor in desertification reversal. Our results provide a scientific basis for desertification reversal. Specifically, we found that plant biodiversity may be regulated by N, phosphorus (P) and K cycling. Collectively, biodiversity may respond to ecosystem functions, the conservation and enhancement of which can promote the recovery of vegetation.

Estimation of Soil Loss Tolerance in Olive Groves as an Indicator of Sustainability: The Case of the Estepa Region (Andalusia, Spain)

“…However, ecological management showed, with respect to integrated management, increases in these variables of 0.58% and 5.67%, respectively, due to the vegetation covers employed [71]. Finally, the concentration of potassium, a fundamental ion in agricultural productivity [55,72], decreased with the erosion level in rainfed integrated crops by 33.64%. However, irrigation led to an increase in the estimated amount of this cation of up to 1.92% and 20.48% in plots of moderate and severe erosion compared to rainfed plots.…”

“…In fact, erosion-based constraints associated with stressful climatic conditions define significantly the productivity of farming systems [77]. Furthermore, Qiu et al [72] suggest that potassium plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and is a limiting factor in the recovery of vegetation, essential for soil cover. The most effective measure to mitigate erosion in olive groves, according to Zuazo and Pleguezuelo [65], would be the planting or development of a vegetation ground cover that would affect the maintenance of organic matter, nutrients, and porosity, reducing the risk of erosion by up to 75% [8,71].…”

Saharan dust events in the European Alps: role in snowmelt and geochemical characterization

“…The impact of dust on snow melting has been largely investigated in the western US, where both radiative and hydrological effects have been assessed using aerial, satellite, and automatic weather station (AWS) data (Painter et al, 2012a(Painter et al, , b, 2013a(Painter et al, , 2018Reynolds et al, 2013;Skiles et al, 2012). In this area, the proximity of arid regions to the mountain ranges determines massive dust depositions on snowcovered mountain ranges.…”

Impact of Fractional Calculus on Correlation Coefficient between Available Potassium and Spectrum Data in Ground Hyperspectral and Landsat 8 Image

“…Acquiring soil nutrient is the basis for implementing precision agriculture. Available potassium plays an important role in supplying potassium for crops, and it is a necessary nutrient for plant growth and development [1,2]. Excessive potassium content in the soil can result in waste of resources, soil environmental pollution, water pollution, and imbalance of soil nutrient distribution [3].…”