Nature – Wang et al. (2025): Terraced fields increased soil organic carbon content in croplands of the Loess Plateau
Qinqin Wang, Yuanxiao Xu, Guofeng Zhu, Yinying Jiao, Dongdong Qiu, Siyu Lu, Jiangwei Yang, Longhu Chen, Gaojia Meng, Rui Li, Ling Zhao, Enwei Huang and Yuhao Wang, IN: Scientific Reports, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19872-0
Terracing is widely distributed in mountainous and hilly areas worldwide to increase grain production, control soil erosion, increase soil moisture, and improve soil quality, potentially impacting soil carbon pools. This study investigates how agricultural activities and ecological restoration measures affect soil carbon pools in terraced areas of the Chinese Loess Plateau. The authors established an observation system in typical terraces and collected soil samples from 0 to 100 cm depth in terraces with different crops and ecological restoration vegetation.