Effects of different land-uses on soil physical and chemical properties in the Loess Plateau of Shanxi Province

Soil properties under five land-uses,Caragana microphylla land,farmland,poplar forest,fallow land, and mixed plantation of Caragana microphylla and poplar in a typical Loess Plateau region,northwest of Shanxi Province were studied.Results show a significant influence of land-use on soil properties. Caragana microphylla and mixed poplar and Caragana microphylla plantation improve enzyme activity,total nitrogen and organic matter contents leading to higher soil fertility compared with artificial poplar forests.Cultivation practices increase soil bulk density,decrease enzyme activities,total nitrogen and organic matter contents of cropland soils resulting in soil degradation.Land fallow improves soil fertility to some extent.It is further shown that growing Caragana microphylla and mixed Caragana microphylla and poplar plants are the most sustainable ways for vegetation rehabilitation in the Loess Plateau.