Divergent responses of soil organic and inorganic carbon to edaphic factors within shelterbelts and croplands in dryland, Northwest China

Key Points

• Soil organic carbon and inorganic carbon responded differently to edaphic factors, highlighting their specific environmental dependencies.
• Organic carbon levels varied significantly between shelterbelts and croplands due to diverse soil management practices.
• Assessment of soil samples from dryland regions analyzed how different edaphic factors influenced carbon composition.
• Findings suggest that understanding these divergent responses can guide improved land management strategies in arid areas.