Pedosphere 20(4): 486--493, 2010
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2010 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Effects of thinning and litter fall removal on fine root production and soil organic carbon content in Masson pine plantations |
TIAN Da-Lun1, PENG Yuan-Ying2, YAN Wen-De1 , FANG Xi1, KANG Wen-Xing1, WANG Guang-Jun1 and CHEN Xiao-Yong3 |
1 Forest Ecology Section, Faculty of Life Sciences, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410006 (China);
2 Biology Program, Department of Health and Science, College of DuPage, IL (USA);
3 Biology Program, College of Arts and Science, Governors State University, IL (USA) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Soils play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, and can be major source or sink of CO2 depending upon land use, vegetation type and soil management practices. Fine roots are important component of a forest ecosystem in terms of water and nutrient uptake. In this study the effects of thinning and litter fall removal on fine root production and soil organic carbon content were examined in 20-year-old Masson pine (Pinus resinosa) plantations in Huitong, Hunan Province of China in the growing seasons of 2004 and 2005. The results showed that fine root production was significantly lower in the thinning plots than in the control plots, with a decrease of 58% and 14% in 2004 and 2005 growing seasons, respectively. Litter fall removal significantly increased fine root production by 14% in 2004. Soil temperature (Tsoil) and soil moisture (Msoil) were higher in the thinning plots than those in the controls. Litter fall removal had significant effiects on Tsoil and Msoil. Soil organic carbon content was higher in the thinning plots but was lower in the plots with litter fall removal compared with that in the controls. Our results also indicated that annual production of fine roots resulted in small carbon accumulation in the upper layers of the soil, and removal of tree by thinning resulted in a significant increase of carbon storage in Masson pine plantations. |
| Key Words: fine roots, forest management, soil carbon, soil moisture, soil temperature |
| Citation: Tian, D. L., Peng, Y. Y., Yan, W. D., Fang, X., Kang, W. X., Wang, G. J. and Chen, X. Y. 2010. Effects of thinning and litter fall removal on fine root production and soil organic carbon content in Masson pine plantations. Pedosphere. 20(4): 486-493. |
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