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Forests
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Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil
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Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Soil".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 5718

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jiwei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
Interests: soil organic carbon; vegetation restoration; soil microorganisms; global change; plants
Dr. Kaibo Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, China
Interests: nitrogen cycles; carbon budget; soil respiration; soil biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In forest ecosystems, plants, soil, and microorganisms are interconnected and interact with each other, unifying biotic and abiotic factors such as plants’ above-ground parts, root systems, soil organisms, and other biotic factors through the circulation of matter and energy flow within the system, forming an interconnected composite organic whole. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) are the three main nutrients in the ecosystem, which participate in the nutrient cycle of the ecosystem. Soil, as an important component of forest ecosystems, is a "reservoir" for supplying nutrients needed by plants and has special ecological significance in the process of above-ground and below-ground energy exchanges and material. At the same time, C, N, and P elements, as important life elements, have a strong coupling effect among them and play a crucial role for individual plants and even the whole ecosystem. The C, N, and P cycles within the ecosystem are converted among plants, soils, and microorganisms and ecological chemometrics.

In this Special Issue, we welcome reports of C, N, and P research on potential topics including, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus accumulation;
  • Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry;
  • Mechanisms of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles;
  • Future perspectives for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in forest soil.

Dr. Jiwei Li
Dr. Kaibo Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • carbon
  • nitrogen
  • phosphorus
  • forest
  • soil
  • stoichiometry
  • storage

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 5861 KiB  
Article
Priority Effect of Endophyte Community in Newly Fallen Leaves of Quercus acutissima Carruth. on Litter Decomposition and Saprotrophic Microbial Community
by Dongmei Yang, Yonghui Lin, Zaihua He, Xingbing He and Xiangshi Kong
Forests 2025, 16(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020249 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 369
Abstract
This study examines the role of endophytic microbial colonization on the decomposition of oak leaf litter, a high-quality substrate in forest ecosystems. Over a one-year incubation, we observed a significant reduction in mass loss in colonized litter (46%) compared to non-colonized litter (80%), [...] Read more.
This study examines the role of endophytic microbial colonization on the decomposition of oak leaf litter, a high-quality substrate in forest ecosystems. Over a one-year incubation, we observed a significant reduction in mass loss in colonized litter (46%) compared to non-colonized litter (80%), indicating an inhibitory effect of endophytes on decomposition. Structural equation modeling revealed a bimodal impact of endophytic microbes, with an initial enhancement followed by a pronounced inhibition as decomposition progressed. Extracellular enzyme stoichiometry showed phosphorus limitation became significant, particularly with endophytic colonization, contributing to reduced decomposition rates. Microbial diversity analyses exposed the variable impacts of endophytic colonization on fungal and bacterial communities, with taxa such as Helotiales (order) and Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia (genus) significantly affected. The identification of 16 keystone species, mostly endophytic bacteria, underscored their pivotal influence on decomposition processes. Despite initial endophytic impacts, abundant carbon resources promoted stochastic colonization, potentially surpassing the effects of early endophytic establishment. This study provides insights into the priority effects of endophytic colonization and niche differentiation, offering a foundation for further research into the mechanisms underlying these processes and their ecological consequences in various ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
16 pages, 2076 KiB  
Article
Divergent Effects of Monoculture and Mixed Plantation on the Trade-Off Between Soil Carbon and Phosphorus Contents in a Degraded Hilly Land
by Xiaojuan Gu, Zhihang He, Linyunhui Liu, Zhenyuan Zhang, Jiahui Wu and Qifeng Mo
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2255; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122255 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 663
Abstract
Carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) in soil are closely related to plantation types in afforestation practices. However, the trade-off between soil C and P in response to different restoration models on degraded hilly land is still not clear. In this study, four restoration [...] Read more.
Carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) in soil are closely related to plantation types in afforestation practices. However, the trade-off between soil C and P in response to different restoration models on degraded hilly land is still not clear. In this study, four restoration patterns, including natural recovered shrubland (NS), Castanopsis hystrix plantation (CH), 10-species mixed plantation (10MX), and 30-species mixed plantation (30MX) were selected, and the physicochemical properties and readily oxidized carbon (ROC) in different layers of 1 m depth soil were measured to understand the effects of natural restoration and artificial afforestation on soil P and C pool and their trade-off on degraded hilly land in southern China. The results indicate that the total P (TP) content in each soil layer was observed to follow the order of CH > 10MX > 30MX > NS, with monoculture (CH) exhibiting higher levels of TP than mixed plantation. However, the soil C storage of NS (59.61 t hm−2) and 30MX (57.71 t hm−2) was similar, while 10MX boasted the highest C storage (64.99 t hm−2) of the four restoration patterns, with CH being the lowest (42.75 t hm−2). In deep soil layers (20–100 cm), the 10MX plantation presented the highest for both the C pool index (CPI) and C pool management index (CMI). Moreover, the structural equation model (SEM) revealed that the soil CMI was directly regulated by the levels of soil available P and total N, while soil C pool activity was directly influenced by soil pH. Thus, our study suggests that compared to mixed plantations, the monoculture plantation (CH) demonstrates lower P uptake and utilization, resulting in a higher soil P content. Furthermore, 10MX plantation showed a superior C fixation capacity over those with 30MX and monoculture plantations. These suggests that the trade-off between soil C and P contents was commonly observed among different plantation restoration patterns. Therefore, afforestation with different tree composition and nutrient regulation is necessary for maintaining the balance between soil C and P and keeping the sustainability of plantation management in the degraded hilly lands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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19 pages, 2627 KiB  
Article
How Does the Mulching Management of Phyllostachys Praecox Affect Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial Nutrient Limitation in Karst Bamboo Forest Ecosystems?
by Long Tong, Lianghua Qi, Lijie Chen, Fengling Gan, Qingping Zeng, Hongyan Li, Bin Li, Yuan Liu, Ping Liu, Xiaoying Zeng, Lisha Jiang, Xiaohong Tan and Hailong Shi
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2253; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122253 - 22 Dec 2024
Viewed by 881
Abstract
Phyllostachys praecox is a valuable tree species in karst ecosystems, but improper mulching practices can worsen soil degradation. Understanding soil nutrient limitations is crucial for successful restoration and sustainable development. However, it remains unclear whether and how mulching management of Phyllostachys praecox affects [...] Read more.
Phyllostachys praecox is a valuable tree species in karst ecosystems, but improper mulching practices can worsen soil degradation. Understanding soil nutrient limitations is crucial for successful restoration and sustainable development. However, it remains unclear whether and how mulching management of Phyllostachys praecox affects soil enzyme stoichiometry and nutrient limitation in karst areas. Here, we conducted a field experiment in Chongqing karst bamboo forest ecosystems with four mulching treatments: 1-year (T1), 2-years (T2), 1-year and recovery and 1-year (T3), and no mulching (CK). We investigated the activities of the C-acquiring enzyme β-1,4-glucosidase (BG), N-acquiring enzymes L-leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BNA), as well as P-acquiring enzyme phosphatase activity (AP), to assess the limitations of C, N or P and identify the main factors influencing soil microbial nutrient limitation. Compared with the CK treatment, both the T2 and T3 management treatments significantly increased the SOC, TN, MBC, and MBN. Furthermore, the soil enzyme stoichiometric ratio in the karst bamboo forests deviated from the global ecosystem ratio of 1:1:1. T1 > T3 > CK > T2 presented higher values of C/(C + N) and C/(C + P), with T1 having values that were 1.10 and 1.12 greater than those of T2, respectively. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between microbial C and N limitations and total nutrients, but a positive correlation with microbial biomass ratios. In conclusion, changes in mulching management of Phyllostachys praecox affect soil enzyme stoichiometry activities and their ratios by influencing total nutrients and microbial biomass ratios. This study suggests an alternate year cover pattern (mulching in one year and resting in the next) as a scientific management approach for bamboo forests, contributing to a better understanding of nutrient limitation mechanisms in karst bamboo forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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17 pages, 4141 KiB  
Article
Understory Vegetation Preservation Offsets the Decline in Soil Organic Carbon Stock Caused by Aboveground Litter Removal in a Subtropical Chinese Fir Plantation
by Bingshi Xu, Fangchao Wang, Kuan Liang, Ren Liu, Xiaofei Hu, Huimin Wang, Fusheng Chen and Mingquan Yu
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122204 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 687
Abstract
Forest soils play a key role in the global carbon (C) pool and in mitigating climate change. The mechanisms by which understory and litter management affect soil organic C (SOC) concentrations are unclear in subtropical forests. We collected soils along a 60 cm [...] Read more.
Forest soils play a key role in the global carbon (C) pool and in mitigating climate change. The mechanisms by which understory and litter management affect soil organic C (SOC) concentrations are unclear in subtropical forests. We collected soils along a 60 cm profile in a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation treated by only aboveground litter removal and understory vegetation preservation (Only-ALR), both aboveground litter and understory vegetation removal (ALR+UVR), and both aboveground litter and understory vegetation preservation (control) for 7 consecutive years. Five SOC fractions, physico-chemical properties, the biomass of microbial communities and the activities of C-acquiring enzymes were measured, and their correlations were analyzed for each of four soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm). Compared with control, Only-ALR decreased labile C pool I (LP-C I), labile C pool II (LP-C II) and dissolved organic C (DOC) in topsoil (0–20 cm) but had no effect on soil C fractions in subsoil (20–60 cm). A higher fungi and bacteria biomass in LP-C II and microbial biomass C (MBC) stock was observed in Only-ALR compared to ALR+UVR treatment. Soil pH and Gram-positive bacteria generally had impact on the variation of soil C fractions in topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Understory vegetation preservation offsets the declines of SOC and recalcitrant C but not the decreases in labile C caused by aboveground litter removal. Understory vegetation helps sustain SOC stock mainly via decreased C input and elevated soil pH which would change microbial biomass and activities when litter is removed. Our findings highlight the potential influence of long-term understory manipulation practices on C pool within a soil profile in subtropical plantation forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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13 pages, 3482 KiB  
Article
The Role of Stand Age in Soil Carbon Dynamics in Afforested Post-Agricultural Ecosystems: The Case of Scots Pine Forests in Dfb-Climate Zone
by Paweł Dłużewski, Katarzyna Wiatrowska and Sebastian Kuśmierz
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122127 - 1 Dec 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Land use changes inevitably lead to changes in the carbon stocks stored in the soil. However, despite numerous studies investigating soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics following the afforestation of post-agricultural lands, findings remain diverse and often inconclusive. In this study, the effect of [...] Read more.
Land use changes inevitably lead to changes in the carbon stocks stored in the soil. However, despite numerous studies investigating soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics following the afforestation of post-agricultural lands, findings remain diverse and often inconclusive. In this study, the effect of stand age on the carbon content and stock in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands located in the Dfb-climate zone was investigated. Five research plots, characterized by similar soil types, geological structures, and tree cover, but differing in stand age (14-, 27-, 37-, 55-, 90-year-old stands), were selected. Additionally, one plot was located at arable soil as a reference. The soil was sampled from both organic and mineral horizons. The content of organic carbon in the organic horizion increased with years that passed from afforestation and amounted to 234.0, 251.6, 255.0, 265.0 and 293.0 g·kg−1 in 14-, 27-, 37-, 55- and 90-year-old stands, respectively. Such a pattern was also observed in the upper mineral horizons where the contents of SOC gradually increased from 7.27 g·kg−1 up to 17.1 g·kg−1. In the organic horizon, the stock of OC increased significantly with stand age up to 55 years after afforestation, while in the former plough layer, SOC stocks were found to slowly increase with stand age. The afforested soils, with the organic horizon, reached levels of carbon stocks observed on arable land after 17 years. Notably, the SOC stock in the mineral A horizon reach this level after 83 years. The obtained results indicate that in the years immediately following afforestation, SOC content is notably higher in arable soils compared to forest soils. However, as stand age increases, the SOC contents of upper horizons in forest soils surpass those of comparable agricultural soils. The observed SOC variability pinpoints the necessity of long-term monitoring in forest ecosystems in order to better understand the temporal dynamics of carbon turnover and to optimize afforestation strategies for long-term carbon sequestration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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12 pages, 1872 KiB  
Article
The Role of Leaching in Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Distributions in Subalpine Coniferous Forests on Gongga Mountain, Southwest China
by Xiaoli He, Yaning Wang, Junbo He and Yanhong Wu
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081326 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 844
Abstract
To explore the role of leaching in mountainous nutrient cycling, we investigated the altitudinal distribution of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the subalpine coniferous forest ranging from 2628 to 3044 m on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga. The [...] Read more.
To explore the role of leaching in mountainous nutrient cycling, we investigated the altitudinal distribution of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the subalpine coniferous forest ranging from 2628 to 3044 m on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga. The results revealed that concentrations of C and N, as well as the atomic ratios of C:N and N:P, showed no significant difference among the sampling sites (p > 0.05) in O horizons. The concentrations of P in O horizons increased gradually with altitude. In contrast, notable variations in C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometry were observed in the mineral horizons. Lower concentrations of C, N, and P were found in A horizons, while higher contents were present in B and C horizons compared to previous studies. Additionally, results of the random forest model indicated that C and N concentrations in the O, B, and C horizons, as well as P concentration in the B horizons, were primarily influenced by Feox concentrations. This suggested that these nutrients leached from O horizons and accumulated in B and C horizons alongside Feox. Except for C:N ratios in the O horizon, the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios in the O, B, and C horizons were mainly affected by concentrations of Feox or Alox. These results underscored the substantial impact of leaching processes on the spatial distribution of soil C, N, and P, ultimately leading to changes in the gradient distribution of soil C:N:P stoichiometry. Specifically, the C:N ratio in the mineral horizons at the 2781 m site was significantly higher compared to other sites (p < 0.05), indicating a greater movement of C relative to N. The C:P and N:P ratios in the B horizon at the 2781 m site were notably higher than at other sampling sites (p < 0.05). Conversely, the N:P ratio in the A horizon at the 2781 m site was relatively low. Furthermore, concentrations of C and N in the B horizon at the 2781 m site were significantly higher than in other sampling points, while P concentrations were notably lower (p < 0.05). This suggested a more pronounced downward leaching of C and N compared to P at the 2781 site, indicating stronger leaching effects. Overall, this study emphasizes the significant influence of leaching processes on the spatial distributions of soil C, N, and P in subalpine coniferous forests in Southwest China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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15 pages, 5646 KiB  
Article
Effect of Gastrodia elata Bl Cultivation under Forest Stands on Runoff, Erosion, and Nutrient Loss
by Shuyuan Yang and Jianqiang Li
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071127 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 880
Abstract
(1) Background: The understory planting of Chinese herbal medicine is a common soil and water conservation farming measure, and this approach makes full use of the natural conditions of the understory. However, a large number of studies on soil erosion have focused on [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The understory planting of Chinese herbal medicine is a common soil and water conservation farming measure, and this approach makes full use of the natural conditions of the understory. However, a large number of studies on soil erosion have focused on the simulation of natural indoor conditions, and there are very few investigations on soil erosion caused by understory planting in the field. This study aims to investigate the effects of different slopes on soil and water and nitrogen–phosphorus nutrient loss from understory planting of Gastrodia elata Bl by changing the vegetation structure and soil structure of forest land. (2) Methods: To reveal the nitrogen and phosphorus loss and flow and sediment characteristics of the understory planting of Gastrodia elata Bl, runoff plots were set up in a field, and three surface slopes (5°, 15°, and 20°) were designed to collect runoff sediments and compare the soil and water loss between the natural slopes and those with Gastrodia elata Bl. This provides a basis for the restoration of vegetation cover and the enhancement of soil fertility. (3) Results: The total loss of soil, water, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the forested land with Gastrodia elata Bl increased significantly compared with that in the natural forested land, and the greater the slope was, the greater the loss was. (4) Conclusions: Planting Gastrodia elata Bl should be avoided in areas with steep slopes and serious soil erosion. However, some soil and water conservation engineering measures can be taken, such as the construction of retaining walls, drainage ditches, etc., to minimize the scouring and erosion of soil by rainwater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Storage and Cycling in Forest Soil)
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