Comprehensive evaluation of soil quality considering microbial elements:a case study of Pinggu District,Beijing,China
To explore the current status of soil quality in Pinggu District,Beijing,this study considered microbial factors based on the traditional comprehensive evaluation system of soil quality.A total of 228 samples were collected using grid-based sampling,and 11 soil indicators were selected considering the three dimensions of soil fertility,soil environment,and soil microorganisms.The soil quality index method was used to quantitatively analyze each indicator and calculate the soil quality index to comprehensively evaluate the soil quality in Pinggu District,Beijing.The results showed that the Integrated Soil Quality Index(ISQI)of Pinggu District ranged from good to excellent(0.60-0.96),with a mean value of 0.74,and the average integrated soil quality evaluation grade was good.Overall spatial distribution showed that areas with low values were in the south and west,whereas high values were obtained in the north and east,respectively.The northern areas,such as Xiong'erzhai,Huangsongyu,and east area Jinmeihu,were mostly in mountainous or woodland regions,rich in vegetation with few human activities,with high levels of soil fertility,rich in microorganisms,and had a relatively high overall soil quality evaluation grade,whereas the southwestern areas,such as Mafang and Machangying towns,had low levels of soil fertility and few microorganisms,and a relatively low overall quality evaluation grade.The comprehensive quality evaluation grade was relatively low.The ISQI of Xiong'erzhai Town was the highest at 0.81 and that of Pinggu Town was the lowest at 0.64.The order of ISQI for different land use conditions in Pinggu District was orchard>forest land>wasteland>vegetable land>farmland.The results showed that the comprehensive evaluation grade of soil quality was good but different in spatial distribution in Pinggu District,Beijing.The northeastern part was mostly mountainous and forested,with a comprehensive evaluation grade of excellent;the central and southwestern parts were mostly agricultural vegetable land,with the comprehensive evaluation grade of good and medium,and should focus on scientific fertilization and soil quality management in the future.