Effects of thinning on litter characteristics of semi-natural Larix olgensis + Picea asperata + Abies nephrolepis mixed forests
Li Weisong, Mao Jun, Zha Tonggang, Wang Haiyan, Li Xu
1.College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China;2.Fanhua Construction Limited Co. ,100014, Beijing, China;3.College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 100083, Beijing, China
Abstract：We collected soil and litter samples from twenty plots of semi-natural Larix olgensis-Picea asperata-Abies nephrolepis mixed forests under four thinning intensities (0 (control), 20%, 30% and 40%) in Jingoulin Forest Farm, Jilin Province, in order to assess long-term effects of thinning on litter characteristics. The correlations between litter characteristics and soil nutrients were analyzed. The results are shown as follows: 1) The standing crop of litter in semi-natural L. olgensis-P. asperata-A. nephrolepis mixed forests was 51.44 - 181.60 t/ hm2, the water holding capacity of litter was 20.33 -47.27 t/ hm2, and the litter C:N ratio ranged between 61 and 72. Concentrations of litter N, P and K showed different orders under different thinning intensities and litter C concentration gradually increased with thinning intensity; however, there were no significant differences in standing crop, water holding capacity and nutrient concentration of litters under different thinning intensities ( P>0.05). 2)Correlations between litter characteristics and soil nutrients showed certain similarity under different thinning intensities, indicating that thinning intensity was not the main affecting factor. 3) Twenty-seven years after thinning, no significant differences were observed in litter characteristics under varying thinning intensities, showing no long-term thinning effects in our study.
2015, Vol. 13 
