Climate Factors Dominate the Spatial Distribution of Soil Nutrients in Desert Grassland

Soil nutrient distribution in desert grasslands is predominantly influenced by climatic factors, particularly precipitation and temperature. Siziwang Banner, situated within the desert grassland belt of Inner Mongolia, represents a typical arid zone where soil nutrient dynamics are shaped by the interplay of precipitation, temperature, and topography. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of soil nutrients and assess the dominant role of climatic factors in this region, using geostatistical analyses and GIS techniques. The results reveal that soil nutrients exhibit higher concentrations in surface layers, gradually decreasing with depth. Horizontally, a pronounced gradient can be observed, with nutrient levels being higher in the southern regions and lower in the northern regions. Precipitation and temperature emerge as decisive factors driving these patterns; increased precipitation enhances the accumulation of soil organic matter and nitrogen, whereas elevated temperatures accelerate decomposition of organic matter, leading to nutrient losses. These findings underscore the critical role of climatic factors in governing soil nutrient distribution, offering valuable insights for soil management and ecological restoration efforts in arid ecosystems. © 2024 by the authors.