Soil-geomorphology relationships determine the distribution of the main subalpine grasslands in the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain)
Resumen: The two most widely extended mountain grasslands in Europe (Nardus-mat grasslands and chalk grasslands) are distributed forming complex patterns. In the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park
Central Pyrenees, NE-Spain), they grow as secondary pastures within the treeline ecotone at the subalpine belt. This work aims to show the influence of soil properties on the spatial distribution of these pastures, under a dynamic geomorphology. Soils are sampled under both grasslands, which grow on different cumulative levels: Nardus-mat grasslands in the upper level (L1) and chalk grasslands in the lower level (L2). Soils in L1 have a significantly higher acidity, lower soluble ions and exchangeable calcium content than those in L2, reflecting a more intense leaching process, consistent with a longer period of slope stability. Qualitative differences are detected in the soil organic matter of the soil, using carbon and nitrogen isotopes, lighter in L2 soils than in L1 soils, due to a higher proportion of legumes growing in L2 (chalk grasslands). Soils in L1 and L2 shared many physical properties, such as a fine and homogeneous texture in the whole rofile (silty clay or silty clay loam), and high aggregate stability and porosity in the topsoil. In contrast, the soils in L2 are shallower than in L1, which reduces their water-holding apacity. The soil is classified as Orthoeutric Cambisol (Clayic, Humic) in L1 but its rejuvenation, by gully erosion, transforms it into an Hypereutric Leptosol (Loamic, Ochric) in L2 (Typic Haplocryept and Lithic Haplocryept, respectively by Soil Taxonomy system).
Definitely, the distribution of both grasslands for the studied area is linked to two cumulative levels of different ages, which in turn is strongy related to different soil properties.

Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139121
Año: 2020
Publicado en: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 734 (2020), 139121 [13 pp.]
ISSN: 0048-9697

Factor impacto JCR: 7.963 (2020)
Categ. JCR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES rank: 25 / 273 = 0.092 (2020) - Q1 - T1
Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.794 - Environmental Chemistry (Q1) - Waste Management and Disposal (Q1) - Pollution (Q1) - Environmental Engineering (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S51-17R
Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)
Área (Departamento): Área Geografía Física (Dpto. Geograf. Ordenac.Territ.)
Área (Departamento): Área Producción Vegetal (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)
Área (Departamento): Área Edafología y Quím.Agríco. (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)


Creative Commons You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.


Exportado de SIDERAL (2024-01-09-13:33:13)


Visitas y descargas

Este artículo se encuentra en las siguientes colecciones:
Articles



 Record created 2020-07-07, last modified 2024-01-09


Postprint:
 PDF
Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)