Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China

Landscape metrics are significant indicators of ecological functions. However, limited data are available regarding the relationship between landscape metrics and soil ecological functions. In this study, using 99 National Forest Villages (NFVs) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Ba...

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Main Authors: Chenhui Wei, Kaili Chen, Zhan Yang, Siqi Yao, Chen He, Lin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Ecological Indicators
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003218
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author Chenhui Wei
Kaili Chen
Zhan Yang
Siqi Yao
Chen He
Lin Zhang
author_facet Chenhui Wei
Kaili Chen
Zhan Yang
Siqi Yao
Chen He
Lin Zhang
author_sort Chenhui Wei
collection DOAJ
description Landscape metrics are significant indicators of ecological functions. However, limited data are available regarding the relationship between landscape metrics and soil ecological functions. In this study, using 99 National Forest Villages (NFVs) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin as study objects, landscape metrics were computed for circular areas of ten extents in FRAGSTATS. Differences in soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), physicochemical properties, and landscape metrics between the middle and lower reaches were compared using a one-way ANOVA. Multiscale performance of 14 forest landscape metrics as indicators of 10 soil parameters was explored using several methods: partial correlation, linear mixed model, linear mixed-effects model, and threshold model. The results showed that NFVs in the middle reaches had higher soil C and N and better physicochemical properties, but lower soil P than the lower reaches. The landscape pattern showed large variations between the middle and lower reaches. Soil C and N were positively correlated with patch number and shape metrics, respectively, before the threshold. Soil P and physicochemical properties were negatively correlated with forest area metrics before and after the threshold. The correlation between landscape metrics and soil parameters depended on kilometer scale. Our findings highlight that soil characteristics and forest landscape patterns of National Forest Villages are linked, and landscape regulation can improve forest soil C and N, as well as the physicochemical properties. The insights from this study are vital for informing land management decisions aimed at enhancing carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change, and maintaining soil fertility. Ultimately, this research provides a reference for other river basins and landscapes, and future research should consider human activities at larger kilometer scales to predict soil properties.
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spelling doaj-art-51f6b7bbe3a24c5898e71134be5d2b1a2025-08-20T03:18:09ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-04-0117311339110.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113391Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, ChinaChenhui Wei0Kaili Chen1Zhan Yang2Siqi Yao3Chen He4Lin Zhang5Corresponding author.; College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471023, PR ChinaLandscape metrics are significant indicators of ecological functions. However, limited data are available regarding the relationship between landscape metrics and soil ecological functions. In this study, using 99 National Forest Villages (NFVs) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin as study objects, landscape metrics were computed for circular areas of ten extents in FRAGSTATS. Differences in soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), physicochemical properties, and landscape metrics between the middle and lower reaches were compared using a one-way ANOVA. Multiscale performance of 14 forest landscape metrics as indicators of 10 soil parameters was explored using several methods: partial correlation, linear mixed model, linear mixed-effects model, and threshold model. The results showed that NFVs in the middle reaches had higher soil C and N and better physicochemical properties, but lower soil P than the lower reaches. The landscape pattern showed large variations between the middle and lower reaches. Soil C and N were positively correlated with patch number and shape metrics, respectively, before the threshold. Soil P and physicochemical properties were negatively correlated with forest area metrics before and after the threshold. The correlation between landscape metrics and soil parameters depended on kilometer scale. Our findings highlight that soil characteristics and forest landscape patterns of National Forest Villages are linked, and landscape regulation can improve forest soil C and N, as well as the physicochemical properties. The insights from this study are vital for informing land management decisions aimed at enhancing carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change, and maintaining soil fertility. Ultimately, this research provides a reference for other river basins and landscapes, and future research should consider human activities at larger kilometer scales to predict soil properties.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003218Landscape patternThreshold regression modelingSoil C sequestrationNational Forest VillageMulti-scale analysis
spellingShingle Chenhui Wei
Kaili Chen
Zhan Yang
Siqi Yao
Chen He
Lin Zhang
Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
Ecological Indicators
Landscape pattern
Threshold regression modeling
Soil C sequestration
National Forest Village
Multi-scale analysis
title Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
title_full Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
title_fullStr Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
title_full_unstemmed Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
title_short Performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil C, N, P, and physicochemical properties of NFV in ML reaches of Yellow River Basin, China
title_sort performance of multiscale landscape metrics as indicators of soil c n p and physicochemical properties of nfv in ml reaches of yellow river basin china
topic Landscape pattern
Threshold regression modeling
Soil C sequestration
National Forest Village
Multi-scale analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003218
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