Effect of land use on soil nutrients in the loess hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China

Understanding the effects of land use change on soil properties is important for soil quality improvement and sustainable land use. In this study, six land use types including wasteland (WLD), cropland (CLD), abandoned land (ABD), artificial grassland (AGD), shrubland (SLD) and woodland (WOD) were selected to analyse the effects of land use types on soil nutrient in the Anjiapo catchment in the western part of the Loess Plateau in China. Significant differences were found in soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate nitrogen (NON) (P < 0.01) between the six land use types. Our study also showed that land use types have different effects on soil nutrient storage, and vegetation restoration may improve soil nutrients and soil quality. While crop plantation can significantly decrease soil fertility, the trend can be reversed by cropland abandonment and afforestation. It is recommended that more C input, alternative cultivation practices, vegetation restoration and education and techniques training of local farmers could be used to improve soil conditions and to advance the sustainable land use and local development in the loess hilly area in the Loess Plateau of China. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.