Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau
Afforestation is widely acknowledged as an effective approach for enhancing ecological conditions. Considering the challenging ecological environment on the Loess Plateau, prioritizing soil and water conservation functions in stands is crucial. The study aimed to ascertain the future development dir...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010774 |
| _version_ | 1827788728382259200 |
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| author | Ning Wang Huaxing Bi Ruidong Peng Danyang Zhao Zehui Liu |
| author_facet | Ning Wang Huaxing Bi Ruidong Peng Danyang Zhao Zehui Liu |
| author_sort | Ning Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Afforestation is widely acknowledged as an effective approach for enhancing ecological conditions. Considering the challenging ecological environment on the Loess Plateau, prioritizing soil and water conservation functions in stands is crucial. The study aimed to ascertain the future development direction of forestry on the Loess Plateau by examining two representative forest types: planted forest (Robinia pseudoacacia pure forest and Pinus tabulaeformis pure forest), and natural secondary forest (a mixed forest of Quercus liaotungensis and Populus davidiana). The assessment centered on the soil and water conservation functions of the two forest types, encompassing the water conservation function (rainfall distribution and changes in multi-year soil moisture storage (0–200 cm)), soil conservation function (soil physicochemical properties), and understory plant diversity and stability. The results indicated that natural secondary forests outperformed planted forests in terms of water conservation function by effectively converting more precipitation into soil moisture, reducing runoff, and maintaining higher soil moisture storage. Additionally, natural secondary forests exhibited superior soil conservation functions compared to planted forests, characterized by higher soil porosity and nutrient properties. The variation in community structure between the shrub and herbaceous layers was more significant among different forests than within each forest (P < 0.05). Natural secondary forests exhibited higher understory shrub and herb biodiversity and interspecific repeatability compared to planted forests. Therefore, natural secondary forests are a more suitable forest type considering the natural conditions and silvicultural objectives of the Loess Plateau. To enhance the quality of afforestation, it is recommended to adopt near-natural planting patterns that replicate the environmental conditions of natural forests. For instance, actively creating mixed forests that emulate the tree species composition of natural forests and gradually reducing dependence on a single dominant tree species. Furthermore, the arborous and litter layers had a more direct and substantial influence on soil and water conservation functions compared to the shrub and herb layers. Foresters should prioritize regulating stand structure, such as increasing canopy variability, to enhance the water conservation function of stands. Additionally, they should actively protect the understory litter to fulfill its role in enhancing soil quality. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the implementation of vegetation restoration in ecologically vulnerable areas, such as the Loess Plateau. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:09:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c77668e2013b4b6e9bd7dd46cb5bd1a5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:09:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj.art-c77668e2013b4b6e9bd7dd46cb5bd1a52023-10-20T06:38:27ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2023-11-01155110935Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess PlateauNing Wang0Huaxing Bi1Ruidong Peng2Danyang Zhao3Zehui Liu4College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing 100083, China; Ji County Station, Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CNERN), Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation, Engineering Research Center of Forestry Ecological Engineering. Ministry of Education (Beijing Forestry University), Beijing 100083, China; Corresponding author at: College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaAfforestation is widely acknowledged as an effective approach for enhancing ecological conditions. Considering the challenging ecological environment on the Loess Plateau, prioritizing soil and water conservation functions in stands is crucial. The study aimed to ascertain the future development direction of forestry on the Loess Plateau by examining two representative forest types: planted forest (Robinia pseudoacacia pure forest and Pinus tabulaeformis pure forest), and natural secondary forest (a mixed forest of Quercus liaotungensis and Populus davidiana). The assessment centered on the soil and water conservation functions of the two forest types, encompassing the water conservation function (rainfall distribution and changes in multi-year soil moisture storage (0–200 cm)), soil conservation function (soil physicochemical properties), and understory plant diversity and stability. The results indicated that natural secondary forests outperformed planted forests in terms of water conservation function by effectively converting more precipitation into soil moisture, reducing runoff, and maintaining higher soil moisture storage. Additionally, natural secondary forests exhibited superior soil conservation functions compared to planted forests, characterized by higher soil porosity and nutrient properties. The variation in community structure between the shrub and herbaceous layers was more significant among different forests than within each forest (P < 0.05). Natural secondary forests exhibited higher understory shrub and herb biodiversity and interspecific repeatability compared to planted forests. Therefore, natural secondary forests are a more suitable forest type considering the natural conditions and silvicultural objectives of the Loess Plateau. To enhance the quality of afforestation, it is recommended to adopt near-natural planting patterns that replicate the environmental conditions of natural forests. For instance, actively creating mixed forests that emulate the tree species composition of natural forests and gradually reducing dependence on a single dominant tree species. Furthermore, the arborous and litter layers had a more direct and substantial influence on soil and water conservation functions compared to the shrub and herb layers. Foresters should prioritize regulating stand structure, such as increasing canopy variability, to enhance the water conservation function of stands. Additionally, they should actively protect the understory litter to fulfill its role in enhancing soil quality. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the implementation of vegetation restoration in ecologically vulnerable areas, such as the Loess Plateau.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010774Forest typesStand attributesSoil and water conservation functionsSustainable development |
| spellingShingle | Ning Wang Huaxing Bi Ruidong Peng Danyang Zhao Zehui Liu Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau Ecological Indicators Forest types Stand attributes Soil and water conservation functions Sustainable development |
| title | Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_full | Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_fullStr | Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_full_unstemmed | Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_short | Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau |
| title_sort | disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the loess plateau |
| topic | Forest types Stand attributes Soil and water conservation functions Sustainable development |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010774 |
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