TY  - JOUR
A1  - Rotich, Brian
A1  - Szegi, Tamás
A1  - Gelsleichter, Yuri Andrei
A1  - Fuchs, Márta
A1  - Ocansey, Caleb Melenya
A1  - Phenson, Justine Nsima
A1  - Abdulkadir, Mustapha
A1  - Kipkulei, Harison
A1  - Wawire, Amos
A1  - Mutuma, Evans
A1  - Mesele, Samuel Ayodele
A1  - Michéli, Erika
A1  - Csorba, Ádám
T1  - Variation in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks across elevation gradients and soil depths in the Mount Kenya East Forest
T2  - Land
N2  - Understanding how elevation gradients and soil depths influence soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS) and total nitrogen stocks (TNS) is essential for sustainable forest management (SFM) and climate change mitigation. This study investigated the effects of elevation and soil depth on SOCS and TNS in the Mount Kenya East Forest (MKEF). A stratified systematic sampling approach was applied, involving collection of 38 soil samples from two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm) across three elevation zones: Lower Forest (1700–2000 m), Middle Forest (2000–2350 m), and Upper Forest (2350–2650 m). Samples were analysed for bulk density (BD), pH, texture, soil organic carbon (SOC), and total nitrogen (TN), using standard laboratory methods. In topsoil (0–20 cm), SOCS ranged from 109.28 ± 23.41 to 151.27 ± 17.61 Mg C ha−1, while TNS varied from 8.89 ± 1.77 to 12.00 ± 2.46 Mg N ha−1. In subsoil (20–40 cm), SOCS ranged from 72.03 ± 19.90 to 132.23 ± 11.80 Mg C ha−1, with TNS varying between 5.71 ± 1.63 and 10.50 ± 1.90 Mg N ha−1. SOCS and TNS increased significantly with elevation (p < 0.05), exhibiting the following trend: Lower Forest < Middle Forest < Upper Forest. Topsoil consistently stored significantly higher SOCS than subsoil (p < 0.05), emphasizing the critical role of surface soils in carbon sequestration. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between SOCS and TNS (R2 = 0.84, p < 0.001). Both SOCS and TNS were positively correlated with elevation, SOC, TN, and total annual precipitation (TAP), but negatively correlated with BD and mean annual temperature (MAT). These findings provide baseline data for monitoring SOCS and TNS in the MKEF, offering insights into sustainable forest management strategies to improve soil health and enhance climate change mitigation efforts.
Y1  - 2025
UR  - https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/frontdoor/index/index/docId/123433
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:384-opus4-1234336
SN  - 2073-445X
VL  - 14
IS  - 6
SP  - 1217
PB  - MDPI
ER  -