Soil CH₄ fluxes response to understory removal and N-fixing species addition in four forest plantations in Southern China

Abstract

CH₄ is one of the most important greenhouse gases, and mainly comes from soils in forest ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of forest management practices such as understory removal and N-fixing species (Cassia alata) addition, on soil CH₄ fluxes in four forest plantations in southern China. Fluxes of CH₄ were measured in Eucalyptus urophylla plantation (B₁), Acacia crassicarpa plantation (B₂), 10-native-species-mixed plantation (B₃), and 30- native-species-mixed plantation (B₄) stands using the static chamber method in Southern China. Four forest management treatments, including (1) understory removal and replacement with C. alata (UR+CA); (2) understory removal only (UR); (3) C. alata addition only (CA); and (4) control without any disturbances (CK), were applied in the four forest plantations. The results showed that plantation types had a significant effect on soil CH₄ fluxes. B₁ and B₂ tended to be CH₄ consumers, while B₃ and B₄ inclined to be CH₄ producers. UR decreased CH₄ fluxes by providing a more optimal soil temperature and moisture regime for microorganism community and increasing substrate mineralization. However, CA enhanced CH₄ fluxes in B₁ and B₂ for N-fixing function of C. alata while lowered CH₄ fluxes in B₃ and B₄. Soil CH₄ flux rate was significantly related to soil temperature and moisture conditions in the top 10-cm soil layer. Furthermore, the quality of substrates, such as Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and mineral N might also be important driving factors for CH₄ fluxes. This study improved our understanding on CH₄ fluxes in plantations under different management practices such as UR and CA.

Keywords

soil CH₄ fluxes / forest management practices / understory removal / N-fixing species addition / forest plantation / southern China

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