Changes in soil carbon sequestration and emission in different succession stages of biological soil crusts in a sand-binding area.

BACKGROUND

We investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of soil carbon dioxide (CO)- and soil methane (CH)-flux during biological soil crust (BSCs) deposition in a sand-binding area in the eastern Chinese Hobq Desert. The trends in soil organic carbon (C) content and density were analyzed during this process. The sampling sites comprised a mobile dune (control) and those with algal, lichen, and moss crust-fixed sands. The desert soil CO- and CH-flux, temperature, and water content were measured from May to October in 2017 and 2018. Simultaneously, organic C content and density were measured and analyzed by stratification.

RESULTS

The spatio-temporal variation in desert soil CO-flux was apparent. The average CO- fluxes in the control, algal, lichen, and moss sites were 1.67, 2.61, 5.83, and 6.84 mmol m h, respectively, during the growing season, and the average CH-fluxes in the four sites were - 1.13, - 1.67, - 3.66, and - 3.77 µmol m h, respectively. Soil temperature was significantly positively correlated with CO-flux but could not influence CH absorption, and C flux had minimal correlation with soil water content. The soil total organic C density at all sites was significantly different and decreased as follows: moss > lichen > algal > control; moreover, it decreased with soil depth at all sites. The accumulation of desert soil organic C could enhance soil C emissions.

CONCLUSION

In a semi-arid desert, artificial planting could promote sand fixation and BSCs succession; therefore, increasing the C storage capacity of desert soils and decreasing soil C emissions could alter the C cycle pattern in desert ecosystems. Soil temperature is the major factor controlling desert soil CO flux and vegetation restoration, and BSCs development could alter the response patterns of C emissions to moisture conditions in desert soils. The results provide a scientific basis for studying the C cycle in desert ecosystems.