Abstract：Based on the topsoil samples at different slope positions under two artificial forests of Castanea mollissima in Anji County of Zhejiang Province, the difference of soil characteristics under the artificial forests of C. mollissima with and without intercepting ditch engineering measures was analyzed. The results indicated that intercepting ditch measure had no obvious improvement on the contents of nutrients in topsoil. Compared with the forest without intercepting ditches, contents of soil organic matters, available potassium and available phosphorus were 5.88%, 6.68% and 33.54% lower in the forest with intercepting ditches, respectively; in contrast, the content of sand was 10.57% higher. In the eroded forest of C. mollissima, the sharp change of slope led to significant changes of contents of soil nutrients and soil particles composition. Contents of soil nutrients were lower and the amount of sand was relatively higher at steep slope areas in both forests. However, compositions of topsoil particles were relatively stable in the artificial forest of C. mollissima with intercepting ditch measures. To improve soil fertility, other soil and water conservation measures should be applied.
2013, Vol. 11 
