Mapping the Relative Sensitivity of Soils to Acid Deposition in China
中国土壤对酸沉降的相对敏感性区划

The relative sensitivity of Chinese soils to acid deposition was assessed based on three ecological factors of soil type, landuse and soil humidity. The relative sensitivity map of China was also plotted through the geographical information system(GIS) tools. According to the regional differences in temperature and physicochemical characteristics of soils in China, soil texture and temperature, as well as chemical characteristics, were take into account for the first time as indicators to assess the buffering rate of soils. Results show that the most sensitive area to acid deposition in China refers to the Daxinganling Mountain in northeast China, the southern part of Yunnan province, and the coastal areas in south China. In addition, wide areas in northeast China, south to the Changjiang(Yangtze) River, and on the west of the Qingzang(Tibetan)Plateau are also sensitive. Although the sensitivity of soils varies significantly from site to site, large areas, especially in northwest China and in north China, are quite insusceptible to acid deposition.