Effect of Stand Density and Soil Layer on Soil Nutrients of a 37-year-old Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantation in Naxi, Sichuan Province, China

Abstract

In order to study the characteristics of soil nutrient elements and the changes in biomass under different densities and soil layers of forest stand, this paper considers Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) density test forests with five densities (A: 1667 trees·ha−1; B: 3333 trees·ha−1; C: 5000 trees·ha−1; D: 6667 trees·ha−1; E: 10,000 trees·ha−1) as the research objects, located in Naxi District, Sichuan Province, China. Eleven soil physical and chemical property indicators, understory vegetation, and litter biomass were measured. The results were as follows: (1) The stand density had a significant effect on the soil nutrient content, understory vegetation, and litter biomass. A low density is conducive to the accumulation of soil organic matter, hydrolytic N, available P, available K, and total Ca. (2) With the increase in soil depth, the contents of soil organic matter, total N, hydrolytic N, and total P decreased gradually; pH and total Ca decreased gradually; and available P showed a trend of decrease-up-decrease. The soil layers had no significant effect on the total K, total Fe, and total Mg concentrations. (3) Low density (density A or B) was found to be beneficial to the growth of undergrowth vegetation and forest trees, the return of nutrients, long-term soil maintenance, and the stable high yield of Chinese fir plantations.

Influence of Intraspecific Competition Stress on Soil Fungal Diversity and Composition in Relation to Tree Growth and Soil Fertility in Sub-Tropical Soils under Chinese Fir Monoculture

“…In study plots, the soil pH ranged from 4.2 to 4.3, indicating an acidic nature of the soil; this is somewhat lower than the ideal soil pH range for regular growth, which is 4.5 to 6.5 and metabolism of the Chinese fir plant [20,26]. Previous research depicted that soil pH is an important factor in determining the composition of fungal communities [27,28].…”

“…Furthermore, the light intensity was abundant in the low-density stands, allowing for rapid decomposition of litter and, ultimately, the accumulation of acid matter in the soil [19]. In terms of soil fertility, Lei et al [20] demonstrated that soil nutrients in less dense stands were more critical for improving soil health than soil nutrients in densely planted stands. According to Farooq et al [8], the low-density stand had more soil total nitrogen (TN), soil available nitrogen (AN), and total phosphorus (TP), while the intermediate-density stand had higher soil available phosphorus (AP) and soil organic matter (SOM).…”

Retention of Matured Trees to Conserve Fungal Diversity and Edible Sporocarps from Short-Rotation Pinus radiata Plantations in Ethiopia

“…Both the short-rotation period and clear-felling may have a direct impact on ecosystem properties and associated fungal communities that are sensitive to this type of management [ 22 ]. Furthermore, as forests develop, organic matter production and litter quality change, which results in changes in soil chemical properties [ 23 ]. In this sense, stand evolution leads to variations in the woody debris stock, indicating nutrient shedding via litter fall and, consequently, an increase in soil organic matter content in relatively well-developed stands [ 24 ].…”

Estimated biomass carbon in thinned Cunninghamia lanceolate plantations at different stand-ages

“…Large-scale establishment of Chinese fir plantations exploded since the 1950s and peaked around the 1980s (Zhang et al 2004). For the purpose of climate change mitigation, the promotion of C sink in living storage has been the objective for planting and management of Chinese fir plantations since the 1980s (Zhang et al 2004;Zhao et al 2009;Yen and Lee 2011;Wang et al 2012;Liao et al 2014;Xie et al 2016;Cheng et al 2017;Tang et al 2017;Lei et al 2019;Saeed et al 2019).…”