Abstract

BackgroundThe introduction of broadleaved tree species in monoculture larch plantations to establish mixed plantations is a feasible way to improve soil properties. However, our understanding of how mixed plantations of larch and broadleaved tree species affect soil properties, particularly microbial community structures and functions, remains limited. We compared three paired monoculture larch (Larix gmelinii) and mixed [L. gmelinii–Fraxinus mandshurica (a dominant broadleaved species)] plantations to investigate the effect of a larch–broadleaved tree species combination on the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, abundance and composition of microbial communities, and enzyme activities associated with litter and soil.ResultsThe bacterial abundance in the litter, soil N availability, pH and electronic conductivity were significantly higher in the mixed-species plantation in comparison with those of the monoculture plantation. However, in the litter of mixed-species plantation, the relative levels of Agaricomycetes fungi were lower than those of the monoculture plantation, indicating that soil fungal communities were affected more than bacterial communities. In contrast, soil in the mixed-species plantation showed increased exoglucanase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activities. However, the C and N levels, δ13C and δ15N values, and fungal abundance in litter and soil were not significantly different between the monoculture and mixed-species plantations.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that fungal community compositions and enzyme activities are sensitive to the introduction of broadleaved tree species into larch plantations. Thus, these parameters can be used as important indicators to evaluate the effects of tree species selection on soil restoration.

Highlights

  • The total area of monoculture and mixed-species plantations in China is the largest of any nation globally, covering 69.3 million ha in 2014

  • Chemical properties of litter and soil in monoculture and mixed plantations Compared with the litter from the L. gmelinii plantation, the C/N ratio was significantly lower in the mixedspecies plantation litter

  • The C and N content and the C/N ratio decreased with soil depth in both the monoculture plantation and mixed-species plantation, whereas the δ13C and δ15N values increased with soil depth

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Summary

Introduction

The total area of monoculture and mixed-species plantations in China is the largest of any nation globally, covering 69.3 million ha in 2014. In comparison with natural forests, the monoculture coniferous plantations affect forest ecological services, such as decreasing above- and below-ground biodiversity, causing soil acidification, and reducing soil carbon (C), available nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) levels (Yang et al 2010, 2013). The introduction of broadleaved tree species in monoculture larch plantations to establish mixed plantations is a feasible way to improve soil properties. Our understanding of how mixed plantations of larch and broadleaved tree species affect soil properties, microbial community structures and functions, remains limited. We compared three paired monoculture larch (Larix gmelinii) and mixed [L. gmelinii–Fraxinus mandshurica (a dominant broadleaved species)] plantations to investigate the effect of a larch–broadleaved tree species combination on the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, abundance and composition of microbial communities, and enzyme activities associated with litter and soil

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