The effect of different land use patterns on soil properties in alpine areas of eastern Qilian Mountains

Abstract

The patterns of using land are comprehensive reflection of human being activities on soil, and it is the main reason that provoking the change of global environment and an essential part of the constantly changing global environment as well. Land use patterns have the most profound and direct influence on natural and ecological processes, which including the influence on soil nutrient, soil moisture, soil erosion and land productivity. The present work was performed in the eastern Qilian Mountains, which is characterized by high altitude, important daily temperature variations with sparse air, strong radiation and low temperature. And it belongs to the typical alpine areas characterized by weak and sensitive environment. Therefore, the mainly objectives of this study reported herein was focused on the effect of different land use patterns on soil properties in alpine areas of eastern Qilian Mountains, and so to improve the region忆 s rational land utilization and ecological restoration. In this research, four land use patterns were selected in the experimental area, which are nature grassland, naturally restored abandoned cropland, slope cropland and sown grassland. The results showed that different patterns of using land in the alpine region leaded to significant difference on soil property. 淤 The following part is the soil moisture content under different land use patterns, the orders are from more to less: nature grassland, sown grassland, naturally restored abandoned cropland, and slope cropland;于 As to the soil bulk density, naturally restored

Analysis of the Evolution of Land-Use Types in the Qilian Mountains from 1980 to 2020

“…Unreasonable development and utilization could lead to serious deterioration of the ecological environment in the QMs [54]. For example, there will be a significant impact on the physical and chemical properties of the soil: unreasonable land use can cause damage to the soil ecosystem and make it difficult to recover under natural conditions [55].…”