Abstract: Soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the core indices of soil fertility. To understand the spatial distribution pattern of SOC is of importance in promoting the development of precision agriculture and in implementing scientific fertilization. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using TM image combined with field observation data in approaching the spatial distribution pattern of surface SOC in Heilongjiang Phaeozem region. The results indicated that the SOC had a significant positive correlation (r=0.553, P<0.01) with TM 5 band, and a binomial regression (R²=0.6791, P<0.05) with the image intensities of TM 4 and 5 bands. Regression model could better predict the spatial distribution pattern of SOC (R²=0.7097, P<0.05), and the SOC concentration was significantly higher in the regions with an altitude >200 than those with the altitude of < 200 m (P<0.05).

Key words: Litterfall, Pinus luchuensis, Subtropical pine forest, Nutrient dynamics, Nutrient use efficiency