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Assessment of the degree of sloped cropland degradation in typical black soil region
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  • Shouhao Zhang,
  • lei sun,
  • Abdul Hakim Jamshidi,
  • Yong Niu,
  • Zhaofei Fan,
  • Hongda Zhang,
  • Xia Liu
Shouhao Zhang
Nanjing Forestry University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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lei sun
Nanjing Forestry University
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Abdul Hakim Jamshidi
Nanjing Forestry University
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Yong Niu
Shandong Agricultural University
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Zhaofei Fan
Auburn University
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Hongda Zhang
Nanjing Forestry University
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Xia Liu
Nanjing Forestry University
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Abstract

A comprehensive evaluation indicator system is needed to provide a integrated assessment of the degree of sloped cropland degradation. We employed bibliometrics to perform statistical analysis on research studies involving cropland degradation. Frequency analysis was then used to identify high-frequency indicators with which to construct a total index set (TIS) for evaluation of the degree of sloped cropland degradation in black soil region. In addition, soil measurement data from sloped cropland in Baiquan and Keshan Counties, Heilongjiang province, China, were used as a basis to construct a minimum index set (MIS). The TIS included A-horizon thickness, clay content, organic matter content, pH, slope gradient, ridge-slope angle, gully density, bulk density, large water-stable aggregate content, soil cation exchange capacity, and crop yield. The first six of these were included in the MIS. In the studied area, undegraded soil, mildly degraded soil, and moderately degraded soil and above accounted for 7%, 48% and 45% of investigated sloped croplands, respectively. Slope gradient is one of the main factors affecting soil degradation. Soil degradation mainly presented as worsening of soil physicochemical characteristics. In addition, downslope and small-angle ridge cultivation are benefit for soil organic matter maintenance and the soil structure and nutrient retention capacity is better than soil with contour or large-angle ridge cultivation. The reason might be that downslope and small-angle ridge cultivation are usually employed on soil with small slope. The study results provide a scientific basis for improving the quality and productivity of sloped cropland in black soil region.
18 Mar 2021Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
18 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
18 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
20 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Nov 20211st Revision Received
26 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
26 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
19 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Dec 20212nd Revision Received
27 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
27 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
22 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jan 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Feb 20223rd Revision Received
07 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
07 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
13 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Feb 20224th Revision Received
28 Feb 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Feb 2022Assigned to Editor
05 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
10 Mar 2022Published in Land Degradation & Development. 10.1002/ldr.4255