Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2011, Vol. 66 ›› Issue (7): 940-952.doi: 10.11821/xb201107007

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Soil Loss Tolerance for Black Soil Species in Northeast China

XIE Yun1, DUAN Xingwu1,2, LIU Baoyuan1, LIU Gang1, FENG Yanjie1, Gao Xiaofei1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, School of Geography, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
    2. Asian International Rivers Center, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
  • Received:2011-02-27 Revised:2011-05-23 Online:2011-07-20 Published:2011-07-20
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Foundation, No.40671111; Nonprofit Sector Special Funds of the Ministry of Water Resources, No.2010332030

Abstract: Soil Loss Tolerance (T) is a quantitative criterion for soil conservation, and it is determined empirically at present due to limited quantitative researches. The black soil region of Northeast China, one of the major grain production bases in China, was selected as the study area. Soil depths were investigated and physicochemical properties of soil profiles were analyzed for 21 black soil species in the study area. T values of the 21 black soil species, calculated by using a modified productivity index model, varied from 68 t/km2×a to 358 t/km2×a, and 141 t/km2 × a in average, and 106 t/km2 × a for albic black soils (Albic Stagni-Udic Isohumosols), 129 t/km2 × a for black soils (Hapli-Udic Isohumosols), and 184 t/km2 × a for meadow black soils (Mottlic Hapli-Udic Isohumosols). Soil depths and soil erosion vulnerability index were two key factors influencing T values. The correlation coefficients of these two factors with T were 0.750 and 0.605 repectively. The meadow black soils had the largest soil depth and similar erosion vulnerability index close to that of black soils, and its T value was 42.6% larger than that of black soils. The soil depth of Albic black soils was 22.1% larger than that of black soils, and its T value was 21.7% smaller than that of black soils. This is due to the existence of obstacle horizon for Albic black soils. Therefore, determination of T values for different soil species or families is more practical for soil conservation in terms of soil profile properties.

Key words: soil loss tolerance, productivity index, soil erosion vulnerability index, soil formation rate, the black soil region of Northeast China