Differential Hydrological Properties of Forest Litter Layers in Artificial Afforestation of Eroded Areas of Latosol in China

Zhihua Tu (), Suyi Chen, Dongshuo Ruan, Zexian Chen, Yanping Huang and Jinhui Chen
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Zhihua Tu: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Suyi Chen: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Dongshuo Ruan: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Zexian Chen: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Yanping Huang: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Jinhui Chen: Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: Litter is one of the key components of the forest ecosystem and plays a role as the second active layer influencing hydrological processes, which has affected the global water cycle. Soil- and water-conservation forests were constructed by artificial afforestation as a part of vegetation restoration in the eroded area of Latosol, and little is known about the differences in the hydrological properties of vegetation restoration in the eroded area of Latosol in the tropical region. We investigated the litter thickness, mass, and hydrological properties in three soil- and water-conservation forests ( Eucalyptus robusta , Hevea brasiliensis , and Acacia mangium ) through in situ surveys and laboratory experiments. The results showed that (1) the total litter thickness varied from 2.16 to 5.53 cm and was highest in the A. mangium forest. The total litter mass for A. mangium , 14.66 ± 1.09 t·ha −1 , was significantly higher than that for E. robusta (5.45 ± 0.59 t·ha −1 ) and H. brasiliensis (3.01 ± 0.14 t·ha −1 ). The mass of the semi-decomposed litter (SDL) layer was markedly higher than that of the un-decomposed litter (UDL) layer. (2) The maximum water-retention capacity ( W max ) and effective water-retention capacity ( W eff ) of the SDL layer were larger than the UDL layer for three forest plantations. The W max and W eff for the A. mangium stand were significantly higher than those for the E. robusta and H. brasiliensis stand. (3) The water-absorption rate of the SDL and UDL layer were highest at the onset of the immersion experiment, declined exponentially with time, and especially declined rapidly in the first 2 h. A higher water-holding capacity of A. mangium may be more effective in enhancing rainfall interception, minimizing splash erosion, and decreasing surface runoff. These results indicate that planting A. mangium in E. robusta and H. brasiliensis forests and then turning them into mixed forests should improve soil and water conservation and maximize their ecological benefits.

Keywords: soil- and water-conservation forest; Mahuangling Watershed; hydrological properties; litter layer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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