Articles | Volume 10, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-93-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-93-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
06 Feb 2024
Original research article |
| 06 Feb 2024
| 06 Feb 2024
Soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus storage in juniper–oak savanna: role of vegetation and geology
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
present address: Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
Pedro A. M. Leite
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
Ayumi Hyodo
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
Thomas W. Boutton
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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Short summary
Tree cover has increased in grasslands worldwide, with juniper and oak trees expanding in the southern Great Plains, USA. Here, we examine how these changes interact with geology to affect soil C, N, and P storage. Soil concentrations of these elements were significantly higher under trees than grasslands but increased more under trees growing on Edwards soils. Our results suggest that geology and vegetation change should be considered when predicting soil storage in dryland ecosystems globally.
Tree cover has increased in grasslands worldwide, with juniper and oak trees expanding in the...
