Long-term intensive management reduced the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis forest

Abstract

The evaluation of soil quality can provide new insights into the sustainable management of forests. This study investigated the effects of three types of forest management intensities (non-management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years) on the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis forest. Further, minimum data sets (MDS) and optimized minimum data sets (OMDS) were established to evaluate the soil quality index (SQI). A total of 20 soil indicators representing its physical, chemical, and biological properties were measured for the 0–30 cm layer. Using one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA), the total data set (TDS), the minimum data set (MDS), and optimized minimum data set (OMDS) were established. The MDS and OMDS contained three (alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN), and pH) and four (total phosphorus (TP), soil organic carbon (SOC), AN, and bulk density (BD)) soil indicators, respectively. The SQI derived from the OMDS and TDS exhibited a stronger correlation (r = 0.94, p < 0.01), which was suitable for evaluating the soil quality of the C. dabieshanensis forest. The evaluation results revealed that the soil quality was highest during the early stage of intensive management (IM-3), and the SQI of each soil layer was 0.81 ± 0.13, 0.47 ± 0.11, and 0.38 ± 0.07, respectively. With extended management times, the degree of soil acidification increased, and the nutrient content decreased. Compared with the untreated forest land the soil pH, SOC, and TP decreased by 2.64–6.24%, 29.43–33.04%, and 43.63–47.27%, respectively, following 20 years of management, while the SQI of each soil layer decreased to 0.35 ± 0.09, 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.06, respectively. In contrast to extensive management, the soil quality deteriorated more rapidly under longer management and intensive supervision. The OMDS established in this study provides a reference for the assessment of soil quality in C. dabieshanensis forests. In addition, it is suggested that the managers of C. dabieshanensis forests should implement measures such as increasing the amount of P-rich organic fertilizer and restoring vegetation to increase soil nutrient resources for the gradual restoration of soil quality.

Impacts of Forest Management on the Biodiversity and Sustainability of Carya dabieshanensis Forests

“…The study site is situated in the Dabie Mountain Forest Area, Tiantianzhai Town, and Guanmiao Township, in Jinzhai County, of Anhui Province, China (Figure 1, Table S1). This region is home to a humid subtropical monsoon climate with average temperatures that range from 26 • C in summer to 2 • C in winter, an altitude of 150-1353 m, and average annual precipitation of 1300 mm [30]. The soil thickness ranges from 30-100 cm, is mainly yellow-brown loam (70% medium loam and sandy loam), and slightly acidic (pH 4.5-6.5), with a slope of 20 • -30 • .…”

“…This species has flourished on a large scale over the last 20 years due to the rich nutritional value and high-quality taste of its fruit [29]. To enhance fruit yields, fertilization, as well as the regular removal of understory vegetation and miscellaneous trees (other than Carya dabieshanensis) have been the most common management methods used by operators [30]. More than 20 years of forest management have modified the original stand structures, as many species have disappeared in this community.…”

The response of nutrient cycle, microbial community abundance and metabolic function to nitrogen fertilizer in rhizosphere soil of Phellodendron chinense Schneid seedlings

“…The continuous increase in nitrogen (N) deposition resulting from various human activities, such as industry, agriculture, and livestock farming, has emerged as a significant driver of global environmental change, impacting both forest and soil ecosystems ( Peng et al, 2017 ; He et al, 2023 ; Huang et al, 2023 ). Within the soil ecosystem, N input affects the soil physicochemical property, enzyme activity and the relative abundance of gene expression ( Cardinale et al, 2020 ; Chen et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; Zhang X. et al, 2022 ).…”