Quantitative analysis of how different checkerboard sand barrier materials influence soil properties: a study from the eastern edge of the Tengger Desert, China

Sand encroachment is a serious problem in arid regions. Checkerboard barriers are commonly used as wind buffers and to stabilize soils at risk of desertification. These interventions can also improve soil nutrients. Checkboard sand barriers are widely used in arid regions, but different barrier types are seldom optimized for specific areas or land management objectives. This research studied how checkerboard barriers made of different types of materials influenced soil properties (soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and soil moisture). These parameters were measured at various soil depths within test plots protected by eleven different types of checkerboard barrier material. Data were then analyzed by constructing a soil quality index (SQI) model based on coefficients identified by principal component analysis of soils at depths of 0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm and for the complete 0–60 cm profile. The results generally found that barriers improve soil quality. They also showed significant variation in soil properties at different depths for different types of barrier material. For the 0–60 cm soil profile, barriers increased soil available nitrogen, available potassium, soil organic carbon and soil moisture but decreased soil available phosphorus and pH. The SQI values indicated that rice straw barriers optimized soil nutrients at soil depths of 0–20 cm, low vertical corn straw checkerboard barriers at soil depth of 20–40 cm, while 30 cm wide gravel checkerboard barriers optimized nutrients at 40–60 cm soil depth. Plots protected by low vertical branch barriers showed the greatest overall soil quality improvement for the complete 0–60 cm profile. This study found that corn straw, clay, 30 cm wide gravel and low vertical branch barriers can significantly protect and restore soils on the eastern edge of the Tengger Desert.