Soil properties along a hillslope modified by wind erosion in the Ordos Plateau (semi-arid China)

Spatial variations of soil properties at three topographic sites along a hillslope were studied in the Ordos Plateau of semi-arid China. Soil properties at the three positions of the hillside acted as disconnected values. Soil particles >0.5 mm in diameter decreased downslope, and those between 0.05 and 0.5 mm formed a larger fraction of the soil in the midslope than in the summit or footslope. Total mass of C, N and P in the middle slope soil was the lowest among the soils in the three topographic positions. Abnormality of carbonate content and of mineralogical components of the soil along the hillslope suggests wind-transportation from outside sources. This result indicates that the site had undergone several cycles of rapid erosion and deposition.