温带荒漠中温度和土壤水分对土壤呼吸的影响

荒漠对气候变化具有高度敏感性, 深刻认识和量化非生物因子对荒漠生态系统土壤呼吸的影响具有重要意义。采用自动CO₂通量系统(Li-8100)监测了梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)、假木贼(Anabasis aphylla)和盐穗木(Halostachys caspica)群落生长季土壤呼吸及温度、土壤含水量等, 深入分析了水热因子对土壤呼吸的影响。土壤呼吸具有不对称的日格局, 最小值出现在8:00, 最大值在12:00~14:00。土壤呼吸的季节格局与气温变化基本同步, 最小值在生长季末期(10月), 最大值在生长季中期(6~7月)。梭梭、假木贼和盐穗木群落生长季平均土壤呼吸速率分别为0.76、0.52和0.46 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1。气温对假木贼(51%)和盐穗木群落(65%)土壤呼吸季节变化的解释率高于梭梭(35%)。梭梭、假木贼和盐穗木群落土壤呼吸温度敏感性(Q₁₀)逐渐增大, 基础呼吸速率(R₁₀)逐渐减小。剔除温度影响后, 梭梭、假木贼群落土壤呼吸与土壤含水量呈显著的幂二次方函数关系, 盐穗木群落两者关系却明显减弱, 未达到显著水平。气温、土壤含水量的二元方程均能解释群落土壤呼吸大部分的时间变异: 梭梭群落71%~93%、假木贼群落79%~82%、盐穗木群落70%~80%。人工模拟降水后土壤呼吸速率表现出降水后10 min减小、180 min时明显增加、达到最大值后再次衰减的现象。5和2.5 mm降水处理下的土壤呼吸速率最大值和其后的递减值高于对照处理, 土壤呼吸增加、达到峰值和其后递减过程与5 cm土壤温度变化基本同步。     

准噶尔盆地两种荒漠群落土壤呼吸速率对人工降水的响应

通过野外定位观测准噶尔盆地荒漠植物群落(假木贼群落和盐穗木群落)在不同人工模拟降水强度下的土壤呼吸、土壤温度和湿度动态,探讨了荒漠群落土壤呼吸速率对降水后土壤增湿的响应.结果发现两种荒漠植物群落的土壤呼吸速率均出现了模拟降水后10min减小、随后逐渐增加、达到最大值后再次衰减的现象.降水处理的土壤呼吸速率最大值出现滞后于对照处理,且呼吸速率最大值及最大值后的递减速率普遍高于对照.降水后土壤呼吸速率变化受温度和土壤湿度共同影响,降水后10min土壤呼吸速率的减小与土壤湿度最大值同步,呼吸速率最大值出现时间与地表温度一致,在降水后180～300min.2类群落3种降水处理间的土壤呼吸速率在模拟降水后(0～450min时段)均未达到显著差异.假木贼群落以5mm降水处理的平均土壤呼吸速率最大,盐穗木群落则以2.5mm 处理最大.土壤呼吸速率对模拟降水的响应受降水量、降水前土壤湿润状况、土壤质地等多种因素影响.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地冬季土壤呼吸及其驱动因子

利用Li-8150系统测定了塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地冬季(1月)土壤呼吸,分析了环境驱动因子对极端干旱区荒漠生态系统土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明:(1)冬季土壤呼吸日变化呈现出显著的单峰曲线,土壤呼吸速率最大值出现在12:00,为0.0684μmol CO2m-2s-1,凌晨04:00附近出现最小值,为-0.0473μmol CO2m-2s-1;(2)土壤呼吸速率与各层气温,0cm地表温度均存在着极其显著或显著的线性关系,且都具有正相关性;(3)土壤呼吸速率与5cm土壤湿度存在着较为明显的线性关系,该层湿度能够解释土壤呼吸的69.5%;(4)0cm地表温度对土壤呼吸贡献最大,其次是5cm土壤湿度;(5)以0cm地表温度、5cm土壤湿度为变量,通过多元回归分析表明:土壤温度-湿度构成的多变量模型能够解释大于86.9%的土壤呼吸变化情况;(6)研究时段内土壤呼吸速率的平均值是-1.45mg CO2m-2h-1。     

土壤温度和湿度对长白松林土壤呼吸速率的影响

2003年6月17日、8月日和10月10日,研究了长白山长白松林地内土壤呼吸速率和断根土壤呼吸速率日变化,并于2004年5～9月对其季节变化进行了测定.结果表明,土壤总呼吸速率和断根土壤呼吸速率的日变化均呈单峰型,峰值一般出现在12:00～14:00,8月份土壤呼吸速率的日变化幅度小于6月份和10月份.土壤总呼吸速率、断根土壤呼吸速率和根系呼吸速率具有明显的季节变化,6～8月份较高,5月份和9月份较低.2004年5～9月份,土壤总呼吸速率、断根土壤呼吸速率和根系呼吸速率的平均值分别为3.12、1.94和1.18 μmolCO₂·m^-2·s^-1,根系呼吸对土壤总呼吸的贡献为26.5%～52.6%.土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度之间呈显著的指数相关,与土壤湿度之间呈线性相关.土壤总呼吸速率、断根土壤呼吸速率和根系呼吸速率的Q10值分别为2.44、2.55和2.27,断根土壤呼吸速率对温度的敏感程度大于土壤总呼吸速率和根系呼吸速率.土壤总呼吸速率对土壤湿度的敏感程度大于根系呼吸,断根土壤呼吸速率对土壤湿度的敏感程度最差.     

阜康荒漠植被灌木与半灌木种群生态位的研究

 通过测算三维生态因子梯度上阜康荒漠植被灌木与半灌木种群的生态位宽度和生态位重叠,结果表明;阜康荒漠植被灌木、半灌木按生态位宽度可分成4类,类群Ⅰ包括红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)和梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron);类群Ⅱ包括白刺(Nitraria sibirica)、盐爪爪(Kalidium foliatum)、囊果碱蓬(Suaeda physophora)、里海盐爪爪(K．caspicum);类群Ⅲ包括多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)、长穗柽柳(T．elongata)、短穗柽柳(T．laxa)和无叶假木贼(Anabasis aphylla);类群Ⅳ包括黑果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum)、粗枝猪毛菜(Salsola subcrassa)和盐节木(Halocnemum strobilaceum)。根据生态位重叠矩阵,红砂和梭梭间生态位重叠较大;盐爪爪、囊果碱蓬、里海盐爪爪、多枝柽柳、长穗柽柳间重叠较大;白刺、短穗柽柳、无叶假木贼、黑果枸杞、粗枝猪毛菜和盐节木与其它种的重叠值均较小。     

松嫩平原西部草甸草原典型植物群落土壤呼吸动态及影响因素

以松嫩平原西部草甸草原中典型植物虎尾草、碱茅、芦苇和羊草群落为对象,分析了4种植被群落土壤呼吸速率日动态和季节动态及其影响因素,以及土壤盐碱度与土壤呼吸碳排放量的关系.结果表明： 4种植物群落的土壤呼吸速率日变化均呈明显的单峰曲线,峰值出现在11:00-15:00,而谷值大多出现在21:00-1:00或3:00-5:00;4种植被群落土壤呼吸速率的季节变化趋势一致,7、8月的土壤呼吸速率(3.21~4.84 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1)最高,10月最低(0.46~1.51 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1);各群落土壤呼吸速率与土壤和近地表大气温度之间呈极显著相关关系,其中,虎尾草群落的土壤呼吸速率与土壤表层含水量极显著相关,芦苇和羊草群落土壤呼吸速率与近地表的相对湿度显著相关.土壤盐分含量明显抑制了土壤CO₂排放量,土壤pH、电导率和土壤交换性钠可以解释该草甸草原土壤呼吸空间变异的87%～91%.     

长白山苔原植被变化对土壤呼吸影响研究

气候变化导致长白山苔原由灌木苔原向灌草苔原演化,对土壤呼吸及碳循环造成了重要影响。为了明确植被变化对苔原土壤呼吸的影响,该研究选取了长白山苔原典型的群落,测定分析了不同草本植物盖度下的土壤呼吸的季节动态变化及差异。结果表明：(1)在生长季,3个群落下不同变化阶段样地的土壤呼吸速率均有明显的动态变化,均呈单峰型变化特征;草本植物盖度增加没有改变土壤呼吸的季节动态变化趋势。(2)草本植物盖度增加对土壤呼吸速率有显著影响,随着草本植物盖度的增加,土壤呼吸速率也逐渐增大。(3)不同植物群落下土壤呼吸不同,在草本植物盖度相同的条件下土壤呼吸速率依次为：牛皮杜鹃 小叶章群落>牛皮杜鹃 地榆群落>笃斯越桔 苔草群落。(4)不同群落草本植物盖度增加对土壤呼吸的增速效应不同,牛皮杜鹃 小叶章群落的土壤呼吸增速最快,笃斯越桔 苔草群落的次之,牛皮杜鹃 地榆群落最小;草本植物盖度的增加也使3个群落之间土壤呼吸的差值出现明显的变化。     

施肥对内蒙古短花针茅荒漠草原土壤呼吸的影响

2012年在内蒙古短花针茅荒漠草原设置了3个N肥水平（2.5、5和10 g N·m^-2）的不同NPK配施样地,并以未施肥样地为对照(CK),采用LI 8100土壤碳通量测量系统测定了样地中土壤呼吸速率的日动态和季节变化,分析土壤呼吸速率与环境因子的关系.结果表明: 在植物生长旺盛期(8月),3个N肥水平中,10 g N·m^-2处理的土壤呼吸速率显著高于其他处理,5和2.5 g N·m^-2处理的土壤呼吸速率与CK无显著差异.在植物生长初期和中期(5—9月),施P肥有利于提高土壤呼吸速率.施肥并未改变荒漠草原土壤呼吸的日动态和季节变化特征.各处理日变化最高值和最低值分别出现在10:00—14:00和03:00—05:00;季节动态的峰值均出现在8月.土壤呼吸速率与5 cm土壤温度及0～10 cm土壤含水量显著相关,其决定系数分别在0.40～0.58和0.51～0.70,说明表层土壤含水量是制约土壤呼吸变化的主要环境因子.     

围栏封育对天山北坡草甸草原土壤呼吸的影响

对新疆天山北坡草甸草原围封9a的样地和围栏外的放牧样地进行比较,采用LI-8100土壤呼吸监测系统对草甸草原围栏内外土壤呼吸进行监测,分析围栏内外土壤呼吸的日变化、季节变化及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明:围栏内外土壤呼吸速率存在明显的日变化和月变化规律,均呈单峰曲线,且在植物生长季峰形比较明显,围栏内和围栏外土壤呼吸速率最高值出现在6月份17:00,分别为5.87、4.41μmol m~(-2)s~(-1),围栏内土壤呼吸速率比围栏外高出33.1%。最低值出现在10月份8:00,分别是0.26、0.29μmol m~(-2)s~(-1)。土壤CO_2日排放量与日均气温和地温的变化特征一致,与日均土壤含水量的变化特征相反,围栏内的土壤呼吸明显高于围栏外。土壤呼吸速率与气温和5 cm地温呈显著正相关,与其它深度的地温相关性不显著;与土壤湿度相关性不显著。     

不同生境条件四合木(Tetraena mongolica)内源激素季节变化及种群差异

四合木(Tetraena mongolica Maxim)是西鄂尔多斯地区特有的单种属古地中海残遗植物.选择了分布区内有代表性的低山、台地、丘陵、高平原、倾斜平原5个典型生境的四合木种群为研究对象.对不同生境四合木种群密度、盖度、年龄结构和根际土壤理化性质进行研究,运用酶联免疫吸附法对四合木叶片内源激素(ABA、IAA、GA3、ZT)季节变化和生境间差异性进行探讨.结果表明:(1)不同生境四合木种群密度、盖度、年龄结构存在显著差异,且低山、台地、丘陵种群所处生境有利于幼苗更新,其密度和盖度均显著大于高平原和倾斜平原种群;(2)四合木根际土壤有机质含量、土壤含水量、营养元素(N、P、K)、微量元素(Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn、Mo、B)含量均较低,pH偏高,体现出贫瘠碱性化的荒漠土壤特点.运用数理统计将5个样地土壤理化性质进行聚类分析,分为两类:低山、台地、丘陵种群为一类(A类),高平原、倾斜平原为一类(B类).方差分析表明:A类样地土壤营养元素(N、P、K)和微量元素(全Fe、Mn、Zn、B、Mo与有效量)、土壤有机质含量及土壤含水量都显著高于B类,而pH值显著低于B类.(3)5个四合木种群ABA和GA3含量均表现为:8月份＞6月份＞5月份;IAA的含量和ZT的含量均表现为:6月份＞8月份＞5月份.方差分析表明:5月份IAA含量表现为在A类样地＞B类样地,8月份ABA含量和GA3含量表现为在A类样地＞B类样地.(4)四合木分布区存在较大的生境异质性,在其长期适应过程中,生境条件差异导致了种群在生理生态方面的分化.四合木种群密度、盖度、年龄结构以及土壤养分、水分和内源激素在生境间存在着差异.     

A parametric distribution for the fraction of outdoor soil in indoor dust

For a chemical that does not have a source inside a house, the ratio of its dust concentration indoors to its soil concentration outdoors is equal to the fraction of house dust that is composed of soil. To estimate the fraction of soil in house dust, we compiled ratios of the concentrations of a chemical in dust and soil from the scientific literature. We find that a lognormal distribution fits the data extremely well. This distribution is suitable for use in public health risk assessments for single‐family homes in temperate climates.     

黄土和风沙土藓结皮土壤呼吸对模拟降雨的响应

生物结皮土壤呼吸是干旱和半干旱生态系统碳循环的重要组成部分,但目前其对降雨的响应规律尚不明确。针对黄土高原黄土和风沙土上发育的藓结皮,分别进行2、4、6、10、20、30、40 mm的模拟降雨,并使用便携式土壤碳通量分析仪测定雨前和雨后藓结皮的呼吸速率,对比分析降雨量对藓结皮呼吸速率的影响;同时,在40 mm降雨后的0—24 h连续测定藓结皮的呼吸速率变化,分析藓结皮呼吸速率随雨后历时的变化规律。结果显示,7种降雨量后两种土壤上藓结皮的呼吸速率均显著升高,黄土上藓结皮呼吸速度的增幅为2.89—6.38倍,风沙土上藓结皮呼吸速率的增幅为0.73—4.38倍。0—6 mm降雨中,两种土壤上藓结皮的呼吸速率均随降雨量增加而迅速升高,二者成显著线性正相关关系;6—40 mm降雨中,黄土上藓结皮的呼吸速率随降雨量增加而缓慢升高,但风沙土上藓结皮的呼吸速率随降雨量增加而快速降低。两种土壤上藓结皮的呼吸速率随雨后历时表现出相似的变化规律,即雨后迅速升高、之后逐渐降低,并在24 h左右回归到雨前水平;但黄土上藓结皮的呼吸速率在雨后即刻达到峰值,而风沙土上藓结皮的呼吸速率在雨后30 min左右方达到峰值。黄土上藓结皮的呼吸速率一致高于风沙土上的藓结皮,前者在不同降雨量和雨后历时中平均比后者高150.0%和59.6%。此外,藓结皮呼吸速率与表层土壤含水量存有显著相关关系,在含水量较低(小于约4%)时二者显著正相关,在含水量较高(大于约4%)时二者对于黄土上藓结皮为正相关、对于风沙土上藓结皮为负相关。研究表明,黄土高原藓结皮土壤呼吸对降雨响应快速而直接,但其响应规律对于黄土和风沙土上的藓结皮是不同的,总体而言黄土上藓结皮对降雨的响应更为持久有效。     

恩诺沙星残留对土壤微生物功能的影响

研究了恩诺沙星残留对土壤呼吸作用、纤维分解作用、氨化作用、硝化作用的影响 ,结果表明 ,相对较低浓度恩诺沙星残留(0 .0 1μg/ g土 ,0 .1μg/ g土 )刺激土壤呼吸作用 ,相对较高浓度恩诺沙星残留 (1μg/ g土 )对土壤呼吸作用产生抑制 ,药物作用活性维持期为 6 d;恩诺沙星残留对土壤纤维分解作用影响较不明显 ;较低浓度恩诺沙星残留 (0 .0 1μg/ g土 ,0 .1μg/ g土 )对土壤氨化作用有刺激作用 ,而较高浓度恩诺沙星残留 (1μg/ g土 ,10μg/ g土 )则会对其起抑制作用 ,药物作用活性期为 9d;不同浓度恩诺沙星对土壤硝化作用影响极其显著 ,当恩诺沙星浓度达到 1μg/ ml时 ,在 3～ 9d内 ,对土壤硝化作用有一定抑制作用。当恩诺沙星浓度达到 10μg/ ml时 ,强烈抑制了土壤硝化作用 ,直到本试验结束时 ,其抑制作用未见减弱。结果表明恩诺沙星残留影响了土壤微生物这些功能 ,因而可能影响到土壤特性和土壤中一些生态过程     

Concept,Components, and Strategies of Soil Health in Agroecosystems

The terms ''''soil health'''' or ''''soil quality'''' as applied to agroecosystems refer to the ability of soil to support and sustain crop growth while maintaining environmental quality. High-quality soils have the following characteristics: (i) a sufficient, but not excess, supply of nutrients; (ii) good structure (tilth); (iii) sufficient depth for rooting and drainage; (iv) good internal drainage; (v) low populations of plant disease and parasitic organisms; (vi) high populations of organisms that promote plant growth; (vii) low weed pressure; (viii) no chemicals that might harm the plant; (ix) resistance to being degraded; and (x) resilience following an episode of degradation. Management intended to improve soil health involves creatively combining a number of practices that enhance the soil''s biological, chemical, and physical suitability for crop production. The most important general strategy is to add plentiful quantities of organic matter—including crop and cover crop residues, manures, and composts. Other important strategies include better crop rotations, reducing tillage and keeping the soil surface covered with living and dead residue, reducing compaction by decreasing heavy equipment traffic, and using best nutrient management practices. Practices that enhance soil quality frequently reduce plant pest pressures.     

Various Applications of Soil Contaminant Database Developed for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project

One of the largest environmental assessment programs in the United States was initiated in the early 1990s to determine the chemical characteristics of soil located within the planned alignment for the Central Artery (I-93) / Tunnel (I-90) (CA/T) Project in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary purpose of the program was to support management of the handling and disposal of over 17 million cubic yards of soil to be excavated during construction of the CA/T Project. As part of this work, more than 8,000 soil samples were collected from more than 2,600 soil borings and analyzed for a range of chemical contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, acid/base neutral compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals. The soils encountered during the investigations exhibited properties influenced by numerous anthropogenic activities. These activities, such as vehicular emissions, historic industrial/manufacturing operations, and waterfront filling with both building rubble and dredge spoils from Boston Harbor, resulted in soils primarily contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and metals. As a result of this program, an extensive database of the chemical constituents present in urban soils in downtown Boston was developed. These results were primarily used to delineate the limits of contaminated areas affecting the planned construction. In addition, the database has been used by the Project to support various soil management activities, as well as by the regulatory community in developing guidelines and criteria governing the management of contaminated soils in Massachusetts. This paper focuses on the various applications of this database throughout the course of the Project, and with the additional aim of stimulating potential future applications by both the regulatory and scientific communities.     

渭北旱塬苹果园土壤紧实化现状及成因

本研究通过分析渭北旱塬苹果园土壤的紧实化现状及其诱导因素,找出影响当地苹果园健康发展的土壤退化隐性因素,为果园科学管理提供理论依据。分别选取种植年限＜10年(4～6年)、10～20年(14～16年)和＞20年(24～26年)的苹果园各4个,分析0～60 cm土层土壤容重和紧实度随土层深度的变化规律,探明果园土壤内部紧实化发生的部位和退化程度,同时,通过分析土壤团聚体数量及其稳定性、土壤黏粒和有机质含量,揭示引起渭北果园土壤内部紧实化的原因。结果表明: 渭北果园0～60 cm土层土壤容重和紧实度均随植果年限和土层深度的增加而显著增大。以20 cm土层为界,渭北各园龄段苹果园土壤具有明显的“上松下实”变异特征,20 cm以上土层上述各指标基本满足苹果树的正常生长需求,20 cm以下土层土壤则已超出了苹果树健康生长的阈值。造成渭北苹果园亚表层以下土壤紧实化的原因主要是土壤团聚作用差、有机质含量低,加之植果期间人为扰动少,土壤中分散的黏粒会向下层移动。此外,随着植果年限的增加,土壤紧实化过程更加明显。     

不同地表覆盖方式对苹果园土壤性状及果树生长和产量的影响

以黄土高原9年生红富士果园生态系统为对象,研究不同地表覆盖模式（清耕、生草覆盖、地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和砂石覆盖）对果园土壤性状及果树生长和产量的影响.结果表明：生草覆盖土壤水分剖面分异最低,砂石覆盖土壤水分剖面分异最高;砂石覆盖提高了根层水分含量,有利于果树对水分的利用.不同地表覆盖模式土壤热量状况变化显著,处理间差异明显,极端最高温度下降,但地膜覆盖处理夏季地温超过果树根系生长的上限温度,对果树根系生长和生理功能发挥不利.除地膜覆盖外,其他地表覆盖模式均能提高土壤CO₂释放速率,其中生草覆盖的效果最为显著.不同地表覆盖模式对果树枝条类型比例及产量影响较大,砂石覆盖处理的中短枝比例和果实产量最高;生草覆盖处理的果实产量最低.因子分析结果表明,对于黄土高原沟壑区盛果期果园,砂石覆盖处理是较为适宜的地表覆盖模式.     

A rapid,cost-effective procedure for the extraction of microbial DNA from soil

Here we describe a DNA extraction method that is based on a simple, rapid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone–calcium chloride precipitation to release microorganisms from the soil combined with lysozyme–proteinase–SDS lysis of the microbial community. The extracted DNA is of high quality and allows direct detection of specific genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as cloning of indigenous microbial DNA. This method facilitates the extraction of 36 500-mg soil samples simultaneously in a 2-h period by one person. The procedure is safe, inexpensive, and does not require specialized equipment or generate hazardous wastes.     

辣椒茎、叶对酸化土壤交换性能及土壤酶活性的影响

采用辣椒秸秆废弃物与酸化土壤共培养的方法, 设计了不同添加量的辣椒茎、叶与酸化土壤充分混合、共培养, 测定了土壤交换性离子及土壤酶活性的变化, 探讨辣椒茎、叶对酸化土壤交换性能及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明, 辣椒茎、叶可以改善酸化土壤pH, 降低酸化土壤交换性酸含量; 添加辣椒茎、叶可提高土壤NH4+-N含量, 影响土壤NO3--N转化; 添加辣椒茎、叶可提高土壤交换性盐基含量、CEC及盐基饱和度, 尤其以添加辣椒叶5%的效果最好; 辣椒茎、叶可以提高土壤脲酶活性, 但培养60 d后各处理土壤过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶、酸性磷酸酶活性无显著性差异; 添加辣椒茎、叶能提高土壤酶的几何平均数, 改善酸化土壤质量, 其对酸化土壤质量的改变与辣椒茎、叶的添加量有关。研究结论可为开拓辣椒秸秆利用途径、改善土壤酸度, 提高土壤肥力等方面提供理论依据。     

Trajectories of change: riparian vegetation and soil conditions following livestock removal and replanting

Riparian zones provide critically important ecological functions, including the interception of nutrients and sediments before they enter waterways. Consequently, riparian zones, and the vegetation they support, are often considered as an important ‘final buffer’ between waterways and adjacent land. In agricultural ecosystems, riparian zones are therefore increasingly recognized as an important component of strategies aimed at minimizing the flow of nutrients and sediments into waterways. Accordingly, riparian zones are increasingly afforded protection and are targeted for restoration. Here we present results of a study in which we aimed to identify patterns of change in soil and vegetation properties in riparian zones, under different management regimes, adjacent to tributary streams in one of south‐eastern Australia's main agricultural regions. We compared riparia that were heavily impacted by agricultural activities, were in remnant condition or had undergone some restoration activities and were thus in a transitional state. There was an increase in plant cover and soil C concentration between impacted through to remnant sites, with transitional sites intermediate, suggesting that improvements in soil conditions were becoming evident following restoration activities. In our assessment of soil physicochemical properties we investigated the relationships between riparian condition and soil properties, taking into account the influence of adjacent land use on these relationships. Importantly, the concentrations of NO₃^‐ and plant available P in riparian surface soils were more or less influenced by concentrations in the adjacent land depending upon riparian condition. This will, in turn, have consequences for nutrient inputs into streams. This study emphasizes that riparian zones need to be managed within their wider landscape context. Furthermore, the results of this study will inform efforts seeking to minimize impacts of agricultural activities on waterways, through the conservation and/or restoration of riparian ecosystems.