Soil nutrient distribution in two typical paddy terrace wetlands along an elevation gradient during the fallow period

Soil nutrient concentrations in the top soils from two paddy terraces were determined in order to investigate spatial distributions of soil nutrients along the elevations on the Yunnan plateau of China during the fallow period. Results showed that soil nutrients in both terraces were higher than the reference concentrations except for SOC, TN, TP and Fe. Soil macronutrients didn't show significant differences in both terraces except for Mg and Ca, so did soil micronutrients except for Mn. Spatial distribution patterns of soil nutrients along the increasing elevations were different in both terraces. However, soil nutrients in both terraces were generally not significantly influenced by the elevations and soil pH values. The findings of this study can contribute to soil fertility management and ecological protection of Hani terraces.