Evergreen broad-leaved forest improves soil water status compared with tea tree plantation in Ailao Mountains, Southwest China

Abstract

In this paper, the spatial-temporal dynamics of soil moisture content was investigated in an evergreen broad-leaved forest and a tea tree plantation in Ailao Mountains, which was dominated by Fagaceae (Castanopsis wattii and Lithocarpus xylocarpus). Soil moisture content was studied between January 2005 and December 2006 at different depths (from 0-150 cm) with a neutron probe. The results showed that mean soil moisture content in the evergreen broad-leaved forest was usually higher than in the tea tree plantation in the dry season, whereas it was lower than the tea tree plantation in the rainy season. In addition, mean soil moisture content was depth dependent, and in the 10-50 cm layer the spatial variability was due to the active root zone within this depth area in two types of land use. From 50-150 cm, the spatial variability was slightly increasing in the evergreen broad-leaved forest or relatively stable in the tea tree plantation. Our study also showed that soil moisture content was higher and more stable under the evergreen broad-leaved forest than the tea tree plantation, hence we stress that evergreen broad-leaved forest plays an important role in holding soil moisture. It is suggested that the protection of evergreen broad-leaved forest should be strengthened. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.