Guan'gai paishui xuebao (Dec 2022)
Spatiotemporal Variation in Soil Health in Slope Farmlands in Hunan Province: Taking Fenghuang County as an Example
Abstract
【Objective】 Soil health is a term increasingly used to quantify soil productivity and sustainability. It is affected by many abiotic and biotic factors and varies spatiotemporally. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the health of soils in slope farmlands in Hunan Province. 【Method】 The study is based on second and third national land survey data in Fenghuang county, conducted in 2010 and 2020 respectively. Spatiotemporal variation in soil health and its determinants are calculated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), membership function model, comprehensive index model and local autocorrelation model. 【Result】 ①Soil health in Fenghuang county had improved from 2010 to 2020, with the quality of most soils in medium range. ②Temporal variation in soil health across the county was mainly induced by change in farmland management and nutrient application, while spatial change was mainly caused by construction of high-standard farmlands and sloped farmlands. ③The spatial autocorrelation of soil health, enhanced inter-regional mobility of production factors, and reduced inter-regional difference were responsible for the change in the High-High and Low-Low distribution patterns of soil health. ④Considering crop production security, sustainable economy and ecology, soil health in the county can be divided into four management zones: priority protection zone, suitable improvement zone, potential zone and comprehensive regulation zone. 【Conclusion】 The health of farmland soils in Fenghuang county had increased by 0.08 grade from 2010 to 2020. Implementing the slope cultivated- land management and other engineering measures had a positive impact on improving soil health. Soil quality maintenance and sloping land improvement should consider the special conditions in each of the four management zones.
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