Effects of toposequence and land use-land cover on the spatial distribution of soil properties

Abstract

Topographic properties can influence pedogenic processes, soil profile depth and spatial variations of soil properties. The objectives of this study were to determine the spatial variation of soil properties at different slope positions and land use-land cover and also the relationships among soil properties, slope and land use-land cover. The study area was divided into five topographic positions by an elevation transect from 935 to 1370 m. These positions were shoulder, flat plateau-1, flat plateau-2, lower back slope, and toe slope which were sampled at 10 x 20 m grid size. A total of 500 soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm depth. Soil properties showed significant variation among slope positions and land useland cover type when analysed with ANOVA and post hoc multiple comparison tests. Slope was responsible for large discrimination effects compared to land use-land cover. It was also the main factor contributing to the transportation and accumulation of fine soil particles when soil organic matter content and water stable aggregates amount were low. Moreover, different land use-land cover type affected soil organic matter content and water stable aggregate amount and caused significant variance in them. Overall, the spatial variability of soil physico-chemical properties was strongly affected by pedogenic factors, slope and land use.