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The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients
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The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2022) | Viewed by 18820

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lei Deng

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xianyang 712100, China
Interests: vegetation restoration; soil C cycling; soil nitrogen; soil microbiology; forest management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Xinzhang Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Interests: biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen in forest ecosystems; global change and regional response; conservation ecology and restoration ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vegetation restoration is one of the principal strategies to control soil erosion and manage ecosystem recovery in ecologically fragile regions. The expansions of managed forestlands accelerate ecosystem restoration and affect the cycles and pools of C, N and P stored in soils. There is evidence that soil carbon accumulation in late vegetation restoration stage was limited by N and P nutrients, supported by the theory of plant homeostasis and soil enzyme stoichiometry. Elucidating soil C, N and P dynamics and analyzing their relations along vegetation restoration have important implications for sustainable forest managements and predictions of global future C cycles. Climate, soils, plants as well as global change have co-determined the processes and magnitude of soil C, N and P dynamics. However, the driving mechanism of plants’, soils’ and microbes’ effect on soil C, N and P dynamics is also not yet well understood, especially in the context of global change. The objectives of this issue are to bring together experiences from different parts of the world on “the Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrient”, to explore soil C and nutrient dynamics and their driving mechanism following forest restoration. Session outputs will be very helpful to guide future forest management.

Dr. Lei Deng
Prof. Dr. Xinzhang Song
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • forest restoration
  • global change
  • litter decomposition
  • plant diversity
  • plant productivity
  • soil carbon
  • soil microbe
  • soil nutrient
  • soil aggregate
  • fine root

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3663 KiB  
Article
Vegetation and Topographic Factors Affecting SOM, SOC, and N Contents in a Mountainous Watershed in North China
by Xiangrong Lv, Guodong Jia, Xinxiao Yu and Lili Niu
Forests 2022, 13(5), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050742 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2165
Abstract
This study aimed to reveal the main environmental factors affecting PH, SOM, SOC, TN, and AHN in mountainous areas of Beijing, using the Chaoguan Xigou watershed as the research object. The relationship among pH, SOM, SOC, TN, AHN, topographic factors, and vegetation factors [...] Read more.
This study aimed to reveal the main environmental factors affecting PH, SOM, SOC, TN, and AHN in mountainous areas of Beijing, using the Chaoguan Xigou watershed as the research object. The relationship among pH, SOM, SOC, TN, AHN, topographic factors, and vegetation factors was analyzed by correlation and redundancy analysis (RDA). The results showed that altitude was significantly positively correlated with vegetation types in the study area (p < 0.01). Menhinnick richness index (D), Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H), and Alatalo evenness index (E) ranged from 0.35–0.79, 0.86–1.73, and 0.39–0.7, respectively, indicating moderate variations. E was significantly positively correlated with stand type (p < 0.05), altitude (p < 0.05), and H (p < 0.01). The variation ranges of PH, SOM, SOC, TN, and AHN in soil were 5.78–7.13, 54.73–90.38 g/kg, 23.77–60.25 g/kg, 1.71–4.22 g/kg, and 95.64–223.26 mg/kg, respectively. All soil nutrient indexes had medium variation except for pH (weak variation). In this study, RDA results showed that altitude is the main environmental factor affecting the soil pH, SOM, SOC, TN, and AHN in this area and could explain 25.9% of the total variance. However, the effects of factors associated with altitude on pH, SOM, SOC, TN, and AHN need to be further studied. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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19 pages, 4419 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Harbin Forest–River Ecological Corridor Construction on the Restoration of Mollisols in Cold Regions of China
by Huibo Xu, Songtao Wu and Jessica Ann Diehl
Forests 2022, 13(5), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050652 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2310
Abstract
Artificial ecological corridors (AECs) are internationally approved ecological restoration and climate mitigation strategies. The width and recovery time indices of AECs directly affect the restoration efficiency of degraded soil nutrients. However, there is a lack of comprehensive and quantitative evaluation research on the [...] Read more.
Artificial ecological corridors (AECs) are internationally approved ecological restoration and climate mitigation strategies. The width and recovery time indices of AECs directly affect the restoration efficiency of degraded soil nutrients. However, there is a lack of comprehensive and quantitative evaluation research on the construction factors of AECs from the perspective of soil fertility improvement. This research aimed to examine the critical ecological corridor construction factors affecting Mollisols’ eco-chemometrics and give a scientific scope. We collected 55 Mollisol samples at different restoration years (0–35 years) and different distances (0–280 m) from the AEC of the Ashi River, a typical Mollisol restoration area in Harbin, and the cold regions of China. We measured the distances, restoration years, soil thickness, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil total organic carbon (SOC), soil total organic matter (SOM), dry matter content (DMC), and the proportion of nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP) and potassium (TK). The results are as follows: (1) Within the AEC, there were significant differences in soil stoichiometric characteristics in different restoration years and locations; after restoration for 10–35 years, the soil stoichiometric characteristics reach or exceed the reference value of Mollisols. (2) It is feasible to restore large-scale degraded Mollisols through ecological corridors. In this recovery process, the soil nutrients first decreased, then increased, and finally reached and exceeded the reference value of normal Mollisols. (3) Soil nutrient accumulation was related to ecological corridor width and recovery time. The recommended unilateral width of the ecological corridor based on Mollisols’ CEC and SOC indices for restoration is 175–225 m, and the restoration period is 22.7–35 years based on Mollisols’ EC and SOC indices for restoration. This study demonstrated the change mechanism of Mollisols in AECs based on recovery time and location, and provided the basis for the Chinese government to formulate policies for Mollisol remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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18 pages, 7388 KiB  
Article
Coupled Relationship between Soil Physicochemical Properties and Plant Diversity in the Process of Vegetation Restoration
by Yan Zhao, Muxin Zhao, Lele Qi, Chensong Zhao, Wenjun Zhang, Yanjun Zhang, Wen Wen and Jie Yuan
Forests 2022, 13(5), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050648 - 22 Apr 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3559
Abstract
An in-depth exploration of plant–soil interactions can improve our knowledge of the succession and evolution of forest ecosystems. To understand the coupling relationship between species diversity and soil physicochemical properties in natural secondary forests during the process of vegetation restoration, the species diversity [...] Read more.
An in-depth exploration of plant–soil interactions can improve our knowledge of the succession and evolution of forest ecosystems. To understand the coupling relationship between species diversity and soil physicochemical properties in natural secondary forests during the process of vegetation restoration, the species diversity of trees, shrubs and herbs and the physicochemical properties of soil at different depths were investigated in six forest communities in the Qinling Huoditang area over two years (2013 and 2019). The analysis indicated that the soil nutrient content in the region decreased during this period, but the plant diversity index showed no obvious change. Through RDA and regression analysis, we determined that the correlations between plant diversity and soil physicochemical properties were discrete. The tree and herb species diversity were most closely related to the surface soil, while shrub diversity was more strongly regulated by the middle soil layer. Available phosphorus had the strongest effect on trees, and the main factors affecting shrubs were NO3-N and NH4-N. Herb growth was more limited by soil physical properties such as the soil bulk density and porosity. We concluded that evident correlations exist between soil physicochemical properties and plant communities. After six years of natural restoration, the plant diversity index did not change significantly. However, the soil nutrient content decreased obviously. This study provides a reference for the management of vegetation restoration processes in forest ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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14 pages, 2430 KiB  
Article
Changes in Soil-Phosphorus Fractions by Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization in Korean Pine Plantation and Its Natural Forest
by Anwaar Hussain, Lixin Chen, Muhammad Atif Jamil, Kulsoom Abid, Kashif Khan, Wenbiao Duan, Changzhun Li and Attaullah Khan
Forests 2022, 13(4), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040527 - 29 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3119
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is the restraining aspect in the forest ecosystem, particularly in temperate regions, and makes the ecosystem more liable to nitrogen (N)-derived acidification. However, it remains poorly understood how N and P fertilization together affects soil-P availability and other soil properties. To [...] Read more.
Phosphorus (P) is the restraining aspect in the forest ecosystem, particularly in temperate regions, and makes the ecosystem more liable to nitrogen (N)-derived acidification. However, it remains poorly understood how N and P fertilization together affects soil-P availability and other soil properties. To address this question, a factorial experiment was conducted with N and P additions under two forest ecosystems, i.e., Korean pine plantation (KPP) and natural Korean pine forest (NKPF). Both forests were divided in to three subplots and each subplot underwent four different treatments, i.e., C: control (no N and P addition), L: Low treatment (5 g N m−2 a−1 + 5 g P m−2 a−1), M: Medium treatment (15 g N m−2 a−1 + 10 g P m−2 a−1), and H: High treatment (30 g N m−2 a−1 + 20 g P m−2 a−1). Results revealed that the soil-P fractions changed during N and P fertilization over time although organic-P (Po) fractions were lower than inorganic-P (Pi) fractions. The residual P was increased overall, along with N deposition in soil. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was more present in NKPF soils as compared to KPP. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that at medium treatment there is maximum availability of P fractions as compared to other treatments in both forests, while high treatment showed some fixation of P in soils across both forests. Furthermore, SOC showed a negative correlation with residual P, while pH showed a positive correlation. Total N in soil showed a negative correlation with soil pH and residual P. Therefore, it is recommended that application of N and P at the rate of 15 g N m−2 a−1 + 10 g P m−2 a−1 is suitable in these two forest types to enhance P availability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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17 pages, 2672 KiB  
Article
Effects of Litter Decomposition on Soil N in Picea mongolica Forest at Different Forest Ages
by Yunchao Liu, Lixin Chen, Wenbiao Duan, Yongan Bai and Xiaolan Li
Forests 2022, 13(4), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040520 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1995
Abstract
In order to study the effects of litter decomposition on soil nitrogen of Piceamongolica in different forest ages, young forest (0–5a), middle-aged forest (5–30a), and near-mature forest (30–40a) stands were selected in the Baiyinaobao National Nature Reserve. Litter decomposition was assessed using [...] Read more.
In order to study the effects of litter decomposition on soil nitrogen of Piceamongolica in different forest ages, young forest (0–5a), middle-aged forest (5–30a), and near-mature forest (30–40a) stands were selected in the Baiyinaobao National Nature Reserve. Litter decomposition was assessed using the decomposition bag method. The seasonal and vertical spatial variation characteristics of total N, NH4+—N, and NO3−—N caused by litter decomposition in P. mongolica forest soil were studied for different stand ages. Results showed that: (1) There was a positive correlation between litter N content and soil organic matter, total N content, and NO3−—N content across different forest ages (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between litter N and NH4+—N contents. A negative correlation between litter C content and soil organic matter, total N, and NO3−—N contents was also observed. (2) In this study, the total N and NO3−—N increased with the increase in N content during litter decomposition.NH4+—N in the soil was positively correlated with sample date, soil NO3−—N, and forest age (p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with soil depth (p < 0.01). NO3−—N in the soil was negatively correlated with sample date and forest age (p < 0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with soil depth (p < 0.01). (3) the NH4+—N content is greater than that of NO3−—N in each soil layer for the three forest ages. The correlation analysis indicated which factors influenced NH4+—N and NO3−—N in the soil. The content decreased during February and November and increased in May and August. (4) The total N, NH4+—N, and NO3−—N in the forest soils across the three forest ages increased with the depth of the soil layer (0–50 cm) and showed an overall downward trend. The contents of NH4+—N in the soil layer from the young forest (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm, 30–40 cm, and 40–50 cm) differed significantly (p < 0.05), as did the NO3−—N results (p < 0.05), while results from the middle-aged forest and near-mature forest increased with soil layer depth. There was no significant difference in the NH4+—N soil content. (5) The NH4+—N in the forest soils showed a trend from mature forest > middle-aged forest > young forest. This trend for soil NO3−—N content is consistent with that of the NH4+—N content in the Picea mongolica forest soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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15 pages, 5269 KiB  
Article
Vegetation Type and Soil Moisture Drive Variations in Leaf Litter Decomposition Following Secondary Forest Succession
by Yulin Liu, Zhouping Shangguan and Lei Deng
Forests 2021, 12(9), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12091195 - 3 Sep 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3763
Abstract
Soil moisture was an important factor affecting litter decomposition. However, less attention has been given to the complete succession ecosystem after farmland abandonment. To better understand the effect of moisture on leaf litter decomposition after farmland abandonment, in this study, we used three [...] Read more.
Soil moisture was an important factor affecting litter decomposition. However, less attention has been given to the complete succession ecosystem after farmland abandonment. To better understand the effect of moisture on leaf litter decomposition after farmland abandonment, in this study, we used three water gradients (10%, 25% and 50%) of field moisture capacity for succession vegetation. Furthermore, we used the typical species leaf litter decomposition of four succession stages—grassland (GL), shrubland (SL), pioneer forest (PF), and climax forest (CF) from the Loess Plateau of China. The results showed that leaves decomposition rate exhibited an increasing pattern with increasing moisture contents. The decomposition trend was shown as GL > SL > PF > CF. During the decomposition process, the leaf carbon concentration (LC) and leaf nitrogen concentration (LN) changed, but non-significantly. The effects of LC, LN, and LC: LN on leaf decomposition varied with vegetation type. Soil properties such as NH4+, NO3−, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and leaf quality parameters such as leaf cellulose, lignin, lignin: LN, and lignin: LC played an important role in driving leaf litter decomposition. Overall, the results provide evidence that litter decomposition in secondary forest succession system was linked to leaf and soil nutrient dynamics, and was limited by soil moisture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effect of Vegetation Restoration on Forest Soil Nutrients)
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