Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2022, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 330-339.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2021.0166

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Litter removal effects on dynamics of soil humic substances in subalpine forests of western Sichuan, China

LIU Yao, JIAO Ze-Bin, TAN Bo, LI Han, WANG Li-Xia, LIU Si-Ning, YOU Cheng-Ming, XU Zhen-Feng, ZHANG Li*()   

  1. Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Long-term Research Station of Alpine Forest Ecosystems, Institute of Ecology & Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
  • Received:2021-04-30 Accepted:2021-09-01 Online:2022-03-20 Published:2021-10-15
  • Contact: ZHANG Li
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(31901295);National Natural Science Foundation of China(31800519);National Natural Science Foundation of China(32001165);National Natural Science Foundation of China(31700542);National Key R&D Program of China(2016YFC0502505);National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFC0505003);Program of Sichuan Excellent Youth Sci-Tech Foundation(2020JDJQ0052)

Abstract:

Aims Forest litter are the main sources of soil humic substances, and different litter types can have differential effects on the formation and composition of soil humic substances. The aim of this study was to determine how variations in litter input would affect the dynamics of soil humic substances in subalpine forests of western Sichuan.
Methods A field in-situ litter manipulation experiment incorporating litter removal was established on sites of coniferous, broad-leaved, and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest stands. Measurements were made on the contents of soil extractable humic substances, humic acid, and fulvic acid; ratios of humic acid to fulvic acid and humic acid to humic substances were also computed.
Important findings The contents of extractable humic substances, humic acid and fulvic acid of soils varied significantly among forest types. The extractable humic substances content followed a descending order of coniferous forest > mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest > broad-leaved forest, and the humic acid content of mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest > coniferous forest > broad-leaved forest, and the fulvic acid content of coniferous forest > broad-leaved forest > mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest. Fulvic acid was the predominant fraction of soil humic substances in all the three forest types. Time of measurements also significantly affected the contents of extractable humic substances, humic acid and fulvic acid, with an increasing trend for up to 1.5-year followed by decreases thereafter. With few exceptions, litter removal generally reduced the contents of extractable humic substances, humic acid and fulvic acid. The ratios of humic acid/fulvic acid and humic acid/extractable humic substances indicate low degree of humification for all the three forest types, which followed a descending order of mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest > broad-leaved forest > coniferous forest. Litter removal improved the humic substances quality in the broad-leaved and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests to some extent. Correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlations of soil extractable humic substances with soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil water content, and a significantly negative correlation with temperature. In summary, short-term litter removal reduced the soil humic substances content, with differential effects by different litter types. We draw conclusion that the dynamics of soil humic substances are comprehensively regulated by litter type and environmental factors. Therefore, the impact of litter changes on soil humic substances needs further long-term research.

Key words: humic substances, humic acid, fulvic acid, litter, subalpine forest