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Fractal and hydrophysical characteristics of soil particles in different forest stands in south subtropical China.

LIN Li-wen1, DENG Yu-song1*, YANG Gai-ren1, XU Zhen-xin2, LIU De-yang2, WEI Guo-yu4, HUANG Zhi-gang2,3   

  1. (1Forestry College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; 2Agricultural College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; 3Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; 4State owned Gaofeng Forest Farm of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530001, China).
  • Published:2020-04-10

Abstract: Based on the theories and methods of soil fractal and forest hydrology, we examined soil particle composition and hydrophysical characteristics of six different forest types (Pinus massoniana forest, Cunninghamia lanceolata forest,Eucalyptus urophylla× E. grandis forest, Mytilaria laosensis forest, Castanopsis hystrix forest and natural secondary forest) in Nanning Stateowned Gaofeng Forest Farm of Guangxi. Clay was the main component of soil particles in the study area, followed by silt and fine sand particles, while the content of coarse sand particles was relatively low. The fractal dimension of soil particles ranked with following order: natural secondary forest, C. lanceolata forest, M. laosensis forest, C. hystrix forest, P. massoniana forest andE. urophylla ×E. grandis forest. There were significant differences in soil hydrophysical characteristics across different forest types. Water storage capacity was following the order of natural secondary forest, M. laosensis forest, C. lanceolata forest,C. hystrix forest,P. massoniana forest, and E. urophylla×E. grandis forest. Moreover, water storage capacity of surface soil layer (0-10 cm) was better than that of lower layer (20-50 cm). The fractal dimension of soil particles was mainly affected by clay content. Fractal dimension had a significant positive correlation with clay content, total porosity and saturated water storage, and a significant negative correlation with soil density. There was no significant relationship between fractal dimension and noncapillary porosity, noncapillary water storage, and organic matter content. The fractal dimension of soil particle distribution can be used as a comprehensive index to reflect the soil hydrophysical properties of forest plantations in the subtropical red soil area.