Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (2): 400-416.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2024.0398  cstr: 32100.14.cjpe.2024.0398

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparison of plant biomass in conifer and broadleaf mixed artificial forests in south subtropical area and analyses of influential factors

ZHANG Jing1,2, CHEN Jie1,*(), LI Yan-Peng1, PAN Li-Jun3, XU Han1, LI Yi-De1, HE Hai-Sheng3   

  1. 1 Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China
    2 College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
    3 Foshan Yunyong Forest Farm, Foshan, Guangdong 528518, China
  • Received:2024-11-05 Accepted:2025-04-08 Online:2026-02-28 Published:2026-04-01
  • Contact: CHEN Jie
  • Supported by:
    Guangdong Province Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Project(2022KJCX022);Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund, China(CAFYBB2020QB003)

Abstract:

Aims Tropical and subtropical areas are hotspots for the distribution of artificial forests in our country. Clarifying the status and influential factors of plant biomass in typically mixed artificial forests in these areas is important. This can help to uncover the limiting factors for stand productivity and guide the management of artificial forests.

Methods In this study, we selected a conifer-broadleaf mixed forest in Yunyong forestry station located in Foshan, Guangdong. This forest was transformed from a Chinese fir plantation. First, we compared the difference in biomass of each plant organ among tree species configuration modes at the early recovery stage (8-16 a). Second, the shifts in soil physicochemical properties and community-level plant functional traits under different conditions of tree species configuration were characterized. Finally, we explored the relative contributions of tree species configuration, soil properties and plant leaf traits to variations in plant biomass, and evaluated their influential pathways. Based on these analyses, we aimed to evaluate the key influential factors for plant biomass in artificial forests in south subtropical areas.

Important findings Our results showed that both plant and organ biomass differed significantly under different tree species configuration modes. Tree species configurations affected plant biomass mainly via regulating leaf functional traits and soil nutrient content. Moreover, leaf functional traits had greater influence on foliage and branch biomass, while the variation in soil nutrient content was the main factor driving the changes in truck, roots and total plant biomass. Specifically, tree species configurations characterized by a higher ratio of leaf nitrogen (N) : phosphorus (P) and a higher functional diversity had greater biomass in plant communities. An increase in soil total P content significantly promoted the increase in plant biomass, while an excess in soil total potassium would suppress the growth in biomass. This study compared the relative effects of leaf functional traits and soil nutrient content on plant biomass in the typically mixed artificial stands in south subtropical forests, and explored the key influential factors for the biomass in total and in each organ. These results provided the theoretical bases for restoration, operation and management of the artificial forests in south subtropical areas.

Key words: stand biomass, conifer-broadleaf mixed forest, tree species configuration, functional trait, soil nutrient, vegetation restoration