Urban-rural gradients in soil nutrients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) are affected by land-use

Abstract Urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients may be affected by many factors including land use, vegetation cover, and management. In this study, we investigated soil nutrients along urban-rural gradients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in parks, neighborhoods and roadsides in Beijing, China. Soil levels of organic carbon, calcium, and magnesium are significantly higher in neighborhoods and parks than in roadsides. Soil nitrate-nitrogen levels are higher in neighborhoods than in roadsides. Soil magnesium levels are higher in neighborhoods than in parks. Interestingly, soil moisture, nitrate-nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and available phosphorus and potassium all decreased in parks along the urban to rural gradient. Soil available phosphorus also declined along urban-rural gradients in neighborhoods. Thus, land use plays an important role in modifying urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients.