Abstract:

The complex and changeable terrain environments in mountainous areas lead to the unique change law of soil properties. To understand the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of cultivated land quality in mountainous area, 12 representative terraced fields in Lishui and Wenzhou of southern Zhejiang Province were selected, and 228 topsoil samples and 6 representative profiles were collected. The soil fertility indexes of the samples were analyzed. The relationships of soil fertility and soil types with land use type, altitude and slope position were discussed. The results showed that soil properties and soil types of terraced fields in southern Zhejiang had obviously spatial differentiation. With the increase of the altitude, the thickness of terraced soil body and tillage layer, the content of available phosphorus and available potassium gradually decreased, and the pH value gradually increased, but the soil organic matter, total nitrogen and CEC first decreased and then gradually increased from the foot to the slope upward. The soil quality of paddy field was higher than that of upland. The thickness of soil body and tillage layer, and the average content of organic matter, total nitrogen, CEC, pH, available phosphorus and available potassium of the soil in concave slope were higher than those in convex slope. And the fertility index became better with the increase of terrace width. The soil maturity degree of mountain terrace increased with the increase of plantation time. From low altitude to high altitude, the soil types changed from Fe-accumuli Stagnic Anthrosols and Hapli-Stagnic Anthrosols to Hapli-Stagnic Anthrosols and Fe-leached Stagnic Anthrosols.

Key words: terraced field, soil quality, altitude, slope position, time