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Effects of litterfall and root input on  soil physical and chemical properties in Pinus massoniana plantations in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China.

GE Xiao-gai1,2, HUANG Zhi-lin1, CHENG Rui-mei1, ZENG Li-xiong1, XIAO Wen-fa1, TAN Ben-wang2   

  1. (1State Forestry Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China; 2Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang 311400, Zhejiang, China; 3Zigui Bureau of Forestry, Yichang 443651, Hubei, China)
  • Online:2012-12-18 Published:2012-12-18

Abstract: An investigation was made on the soil physical and chemical properties in differentaged Pinus massoniana plantations in Three Gorges Reservoir Area under effects of  litterfall and roots. The annual litter production in mature stand was 19.4% and 65.7% higher than that in nearly mature and middle-aged stands, respectively. The litter standing amount was in the sequence of mature stand > middleaged stand > nearly mature stand, while the litter turnover coefficient was in the order of nearly mature stand (0.51) > mature stand (0.40) > middle-aged stand (0.36). The total root biomass, live root biomass, and dead root biomass were the highest in middle-aged stand, and the lowest in nearly mature stand. In middle-aged stand, soil total porosity was the highest, and soil bulk density was the lowest. Soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents were in the order of mature stand > middle-aged stand > nearly mature stand, soil nitrate nitrogen occupied a larger proportion of soil mineral N in nearly mature stand, while ammonium nitrogen accounted more in middle-aged and mature stands. In nearly mature stand, litter production was moderate but turnover coefficient was the highest, and soil nutrient contents were the lowest. In middle-aged stand, root biomass and soil total porosity were the highest, and soil bulk density were the lowest. In mature stand, root biomass was lower while soil nutrient contents were the highest. The increase of root biomass could improve soil physical properties.