Abstract

Changing characteristics of soil organic carbon and active organic carbon concentrations were studied along an altitudinal gradient of natural spruce forest of Mount Tianshan, Xinjiang, China. Soil samples were collected from different soil depths from three different elevations i.e., 1800-2000, 2200-2400 and 2600-2800 m, respectively. The characteristics of soil organic carbon mineralization, as well as other factors affecting the process, were evaluated using double exponential equations. The results showed that soil organic carbon and active carbon concentrations had an obvious surface enrichment phenomenon. There were no significant differences in total soil organic carbon between different elevations. Surface soil active carbon concentrations significantly decreased at elevations of 2600-2800 m due to less litter and lower temperature. The results indicated a similar mineralization process with strong reaction intensity at early stages followed by a gradual reduction in intensity in 0-100 cm depth of soil at the three elevations. Organic carbon mineralization intensity is affected by soil active carbon concentration and temperature and decreased significantly between 0-40 cm at the high elevation of 2600-2800 m. Compared with total soil organic carbon, the soil active carbon concentration affected the mineralization process and intensity more directly.

Keywords:

Carbon mineralization, double exponential equation model, elevation, soil organic carbon, spruce forests,

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