Identifying the Main Factors Contributing to the Spatial Variability of Soil Saline–Sodic Properties in a Reclaimed Coastal Area

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of the soil salt content (SSC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in two transects, which extended through different reclamation areas along a reclaimed coastal area of China. A total of 54 sampling points along Transect 1 were collected to study soil saline–sodic characteristics of a recently reclaimed farmland in 2007, and 50 sampling points were collected along Transect 2 that ran through six farmland areas reclaimed at different times (2007, 1981, 1960, 1950, 1940, and 1916). A spatial model, generalized least squares (GLS), was used to conduct multiple regression equations on SSC or SAR and explanatory variables. The results showed that land‐use pattern was the most influential factor that affected spatial variation of SSC and SAR. The parametric Levene's test and Moran's I test showed that heterogeneity and autocorrelated residuals could only be found for SSC in Transect 2, so the GLS model was suitable for SSC in Transect 2. The GLS method did not perform better than the nonspatial model (ordinary least squares) by incorporating exhaustive ancillary variables but was more suitable when autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity existed in the errors of a model. Using these methods, we obtained information on the spatial variation of soil saline–sodic characteristics and its controlling factors. This information is helpful for land‐use planning, soil partition management, and agronomic management practices in coastal reclamation areas.