Impact of Spartina alterniflora invasion and aquaculture reclamation on soil aggregate stability and carbon sequestration in Chinese coastal wetlands

Abstract

Soil aggregates are essential to the long-term sequestration of soil organic carbon (SOC) in coastal wetlands. Coastal wetlands in China have undergone profound transformation by the invasion of Spartina alterniflora and subsequent aquaculture reclamation, but the effects on soil aggregates remain unclear. This study examined the distribution of soil aggregate size, stability and organic carbon content across 21 coastal wetlands in China that had undergone a similar transformation, from native mudflats (MFs) to S. alterniflora marshes (SAs), and subsequent conversion to aquaculture ponds (APs). The results showed that silt+clay was the dominant fraction of soil aggregates (78.7%–83.1%), followed by micro-aggregates (12.8%–13.9%) and macroaggregates (4.1%–6.6%). Transition from MFs to SAs led to an increase in macroaggregate and microaggregate contents and the aggregate stability index (MWD, MGD and DR_0.25), but a reduction in silt+clay content. Subsequent conversion of SAs to APs led to a reduction in macroaggregate content and aggregate stability index, and an increase in silt+clay and microaggregate contents. Change from MFs to SAs increased SOC by 69.6% in the silt+clay fraction, 29.4% in the microaggregate fraction, and 22.4% in the macroaggregate fraction. Conversely, converting SAs to APs decreased SOC content by 11.4% in the silt+clay fraction and 16.3% in the macroaggregate fractions, but an 8.5% increase in the microaggregate fraction. The results underscore the crucial role of soil aggregate formation in sequestration and storage of SOC under varying land cover change scenarios.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

soil aggregates / physical protection / soil organic carbon / coastal wetland / land cover change

Highlight

	● Silt+clay was the dominant soil aggregate fraction in coastal wetlands.
	● The invasion of mudflats by Spartina increased macroaggregate fraction and associated carbon.
	● Aquaculture reclamation reduced aggregate size and stability.
	● Macro- and micro-aggregates were important for soil carbon storage.

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