Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 129(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract Afforestation represents an effective approach for ecosystem restoration and carbon (C) sequestration. Nonetheless, it poses notable challenges concerning water depletion soil drought in (semi)arid regions. The underlying mechanisms regulating the influence of afforestation on carbon‐water dynamics, particularly how deep C reacts to afforestation‐induced drying, remain largely unclear. This study examined variations content (SWC), organic (SOC), inorganic (SIC) 500 cm depth along four stages: abandoned grasslands, shrublands, 20‐year 40‐year Robinia pseudoacacia forests (RP20 RP40) semiarid Loess Plateau, China. results indicated that has significantly increased SWC (+26.6%), SOC (+44.5%), SIC (+6.5%) shallow layer (0–100 cm) but caused evident drying (−60.8%), decrease (−37.8%), slight reduction (−0.3%) (300–500 when compared with grasslands. seriously decline coupling coordination between middle layers indicates unsustainability especially RP40. Structural equation model showed negative impact through (−0.38) outweighed direct positive aboveground biomass (AGB) (+0.33). impacts decreased pH was close AGB. different effects across layers, its should be fully integrated into future forest management efforts.

Language: Английский