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<p> Purpose: Litter serves as a key reservoir of organic matter and nutrients, facilitating the release of organic carbon into soil systems. This study aimed to quantify the contribution of grassland litter to soil organic carbon (SOC) in the areas affected by varying degrees of rocky desertification. Methods: From March 2017 to January 2018, we investigated three rocky desertification grasslands (potential, moderate, and severe) using soil coring, litter collectors, and decomposition bag techniques. Litter biomass, decomposition rates, and organic carbon input were measured. Decomposition coefficients (<i>k</i>) for above-ground and below-ground litter were calculated, and correlations with bare rock rates were analyzed. Results: Litter biomass peaked in September-November and decreased with desertification severity. Below-ground litter biomass was highest in moderate desertification grasslands, where decomposition rates slowed. Above-ground litter <i>k</i> values were 0.0031, 0.0024, and 0.0018, while below-ground <i>k</i> values were 0.0034, 0.0028, and 0.0027 for potential, moderate, and severe sites, respectively. Annual decomposition rates ranged from 49 to 69% (above-ground) and 64.16–73.64% (below-ground). SOC input from litter totaled 146.43–395.90&#xa0;g m<sup>− 2</sup>, with above-ground litter contributing more (115.46–344.26&#xa0;g m<sup>− 2</sup>) than below-ground (30.98–71.65&#xa0;g m<sup>− 2</sup>). Bare rock rate negatively correlated with litter biomass, decomposition, and SOC input. Conclusions: Rocky desertification reduces litter biomass, slows decomposition, and diminishes SOC input, with moderate desertification showing unique below-ground litter dynamics. Litter remains a critical SOC pathway, but its role diminishes with desertification severity, highlighting the ecosystem’s vulnerability to degradation.</p>

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Contribution of Litter to Soil Organic Carbon in Different Rocky Desertification Grasslands

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月24日

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  • Linye Jian,
  • Yuefeng Wang,
  • Jigao Wang,
  • Zhou Li,
  • Jihui Chen,
  • Baocheng Jin,
  • Rui Dong,
  • Xinyao Gu,
  • Xuechun Zhao

摘要

Purpose: Litter serves as a key reservoir of organic matter and nutrients, facilitating the release of organic carbon into soil systems. This study aimed to quantify the contribution of grassland litter to soil organic carbon (SOC) in the areas affected by varying degrees of rocky desertification. Methods: From March 2017 to January 2018, we investigated three rocky desertification grasslands (potential, moderate, and severe) using soil coring, litter collectors, and decomposition bag techniques. Litter biomass, decomposition rates, and organic carbon input were measured. Decomposition coefficients (k) for above-ground and below-ground litter were calculated, and correlations with bare rock rates were analyzed. Results: Litter biomass peaked in September-November and decreased with desertification severity. Below-ground litter biomass was highest in moderate desertification grasslands, where decomposition rates slowed. Above-ground litter k values were 0.0031, 0.0024, and 0.0018, while below-ground k values were 0.0034, 0.0028, and 0.0027 for potential, moderate, and severe sites, respectively. Annual decomposition rates ranged from 49 to 69% (above-ground) and 64.16–73.64% (below-ground). SOC input from litter totaled 146.43–395.90 g m− 2, with above-ground litter contributing more (115.46–344.26 g m− 2) than below-ground (30.98–71.65 g m− 2). Bare rock rate negatively correlated with litter biomass, decomposition, and SOC input. Conclusions: Rocky desertification reduces litter biomass, slows decomposition, and diminishes SOC input, with moderate desertification showing unique below-ground litter dynamics. Litter remains a critical SOC pathway, but its role diminishes with desertification severity, highlighting the ecosystem’s vulnerability to degradation.