Arid Zone Research ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (3): 445-455.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.03.05

• Land and Water Resources • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Soil multifunctionality and its influences across various ages of Picea schrenkiana plantation

WANG Yu1(), ZHAO Shanchao2(), LI Liu1, YUAN Yuan1, GU Xiaoliang1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Forestry Ecology and Industrial Technology in Arid Area, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
    2. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Natural Forest Protection Center, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2024-10-06 Revised:2024-12-02 Online:2025-03-15 Published:2025-03-17
  • Contact: ZHAO Shanchao E-mail:18570144285@139.com;hanshaokon110@163.com

Abstract:

Soil multifunctionality is a vital component of ecosystem multifunctionality. Exploring the multifunctionality of soil in the Picea schrenkiana plantation at various ages offers valuable insights into soil capabilities. This research should enhance our understanding and support the management of vibrant forest ecosystems, making a significant contribution to environmental science. This study investigated the Picea schrenkiana plantation at the ages of 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, focusing on 15 indicators related to soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, to evaluate the soil multifunctionality of the Picea schrenkiana plantation. The findings reveal the following: (1) Soil moisture content, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen initially decreased before increasing with forest age, while daily average temperature and organic matter content exhibited a consistent decline with increasing forest age. (2) The activity of soil urease displayed an inverted “N” shaped trend concerning forest age, whereas the activities of cellulase and invertase initially rose and then declined. Catalase activity gradually decreased with increasing forest age. (3) Soil multifunctionality increased and then decreased with aging of the forest. The main factors affecting soil multifunctionality included the available nitrogen and urease. Therefore, forest age is a significant ecological factor that influences soil multifunctionality of the Picea schrenkiana plantation. In addition, managing related factors such as soil physical and chemical properties and enzyme activity is crucial. These research findings are significant for the sustainable management of Picea schrenkiana plantation on the northern slopes of Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang.

Key words: age of stand, Picea schrenkiana, plantation forests, soil multifunctionality, factor analysis