Controlling action of soil organic matter on soil moisture retention and its availability

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.01209

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Assessment of the ecological benefits of forest in soil water retention based on conventionally monitored factors and exploration of the relation between forest carbon-sink function and hydrological benefits has special meaning in Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Our objectives were to 1) characterize the spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture in three subtropical forests and 2) determine the controlling action of soil organic matter on soil moisture retention during vegetation succession.
Methods Standard plots were established in Pinus massonnianaconiferous forest (PF), mixedPinus massonniana-broad-leaved forest (PBF) and monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MBF). We measured soil water content every 10 days from 2002 to 2008 using neutron probes and analyzed soil organic matter content in the laboratory by the potassium dichromate oxidation method.
Important findings With natural succession from planted PF to climax MBF, soil water content (0-30 cm soil layer) increased significantly; soil water content was highest in MBF and lowest in PBF. The distribution patterns of soil moisture in the three forests were different: the soil moisture of MBF decreased with soil depth, was more homogeneous in the soil profile in PBF and was lower at the surface than in deeper layers in PF. The soil water characteristic curves showed that under the same matrix suction the magnitude of soil water content (0-40 cm soil layer) was: MBF > PBF > PF; the soil of MBF was the most retentive. Further analysis indicated that soil porosity had the greatest impact on soil moisture, followed by saturated soil water content and soil organic matter content, while soil bulk density had a minimal impact. In the process of natural succession, soil moisture was significantly correlated with the soil organic matter content ( p = 0.014), as the soil organic matter could affect soil moisture holding (p = 0.030). Accordingly, we recommend soil organic matter as an effective and integrated index for appraising forest ecosystem services.

Key words: Dinghushan biosphere reserve, forest succession, grey correlation analysis, soil organic matter, soil water content

LIU Xiao-Dong, QIAO Yu-Na, ZHOU Guo-Yi. Controlling action of soil organic matter on soil moisture retention and its availability[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(12): 1209-1218.

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Figures/Tables 8

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森林类型 Forest type	坡度 Slope gradient	坡向 Slope aspect	海拔 Altitude (m)	林龄 Forest age (a)
马尾松针叶林 Pinus massonianaconiferous forest (PF)	25°-30°	西南 Southwest	200-300	50-60
马尾松针阔叶混交林 Mixed Pinus massoniana-broad-leaved forest (PBF)	28°-35°	西南 Southwest	220-300	70-80
季风常绿阔叶林 Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MBF)	25°-33°	东北 Northeast	220-300	400

森林类型 Forest type	坡度 Slope gradient	坡向 Slope aspect	海拔 Altitude (m)	林龄 Forest age (a)
马尾松针叶林 Pinus massonianaconiferous forest (PF)	25°-30°	西南 Southwest	200-300	50-60
马尾松针阔叶混交林 Mixed Pinus massoniana-broad-leaved forest (PBF)	28°-35°	西南 Southwest	220-300	70-80
季风常绿阔叶林 Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MBF)	25°-33°	东北 Northeast	220-300	400

林型 Forest type	土壤深度 Soil depth (cm)	数学模型¹⁾ Mathematical model¹⁾	决定系数 Determination coefficient (R²)
季风常绿阔叶林 Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest	0-10	θ= 25.081s^-0.172	0.992**
	10-20	θ = 23.283s^-0.161	0.986**
	20-40	θ= 22.807s^-0.142	0.987**
	40-60	θ = 20.608s^-0.143	0.987**
	60-80	θ = 19.080s^-0.153	0.990**
马尾松针阔叶混交林 Mixed Pinus massonianabroad- leaved forest	0-10	θ = 22.918s^-0.204	0.993**
	10-20	θ = 21.353s^-0.186	0.985**
	20-40	θ = 22.003s^-0.158	0.983**
	40-60	θ = 22.113s^-0.149	0.986**
	60-80	θ = 21.363s^-0.146	0.987**
马尾松针叶林 Pinus massonianaconiferous forest	0-10	θ = 17.947s^-0.163	0.995**
	10-20	θ = 13.126s^-0.198	0.988**
	20-40	θ = 15.576s^-0.166	0.989**
	40-60	θ = 18.355s^-0.132	0.987**
	60-80	θ = 18.196s^-0.140	0.990**

林型 Forest type	土壤深度 Soil depth (cm)	数学模型¹⁾ Mathematical model¹⁾	决定系数 Determination coefficient (R²)
季风常绿阔叶林 Monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest	0-10	θ= 25.081s^-0.172	0.992**
	10-20	θ = 23.283s^-0.161	0.986**
	20-40	θ= 22.807s^-0.142	0.987**
	40-60	θ = 20.608s^-0.143	0.987**
	60-80	θ = 19.080s^-0.153	0.990**
马尾松针阔叶混交林 Mixed Pinus massonianabroad- leaved forest	0-10	θ = 22.918s^-0.204	0.993**
	10-20	θ = 21.353s^-0.186	0.985**
	20-40	θ = 22.003s^-0.158	0.983**
	40-60	θ = 22.113s^-0.149	0.986**
	60-80	θ = 21.363s^-0.146	0.987**
马尾松针叶林 Pinus massonianaconiferous forest	0-10	θ = 17.947s^-0.163	0.995**
	10-20	θ = 13.126s^-0.198	0.988**
	20-40	θ = 15.576s^-0.166	0.989**
	40-60	θ = 18.355s^-0.132	0.987**
	60-80	θ = 18.196s^-0.140	0.990**

林型 Forest type	土壤体积含水量 Soil volumetric water content (%)	饱和持水量 Saturated water content (%)	土壤孔隙度 Soil porosity (%)	土壤容重 Soil bulk density (g·cm^-3)	有机质含量 Organic matter content (g·kg^-1)
季风常绿阔叶林 MBF	29.02	51.00	55.05	1.01	25.29
马尾松针阔叶混交林 PBF	24.85	48.88	40.75	1.23	23.75
马尾松针叶林 PF	20.46	40.68	39.05	1.31	13.30