Notice of Retraction: Effects of Forest Conversion and Successive Rotations of Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) on Carbon Mineralization of Soils

Abstract

Forest conversion of native broadleaved forests (NBF) to pure Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (lamb) Hook) plantations is a common management practice in subtropical China. A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of forest conversion from NBF to Chinese fir plantation and successive rotations of Chinese fir on soil carbon mineralization. The results showed that both of them decreased the quantity of total soil organic carbon (TOC) and soil microbial respiration, but increase the mineralization rate. Therefore, successive rotation of Chinese fir could cause a loss of soil organic carbon and less biological activity in the long term. The degradation of soil quality may be attributable to worse environmental conditions and higher mineralization rates resulting from disturbance related to 'slash and burn' site preparation. Organic carbon in Chinese fir plantation soils, especially in successive rotation soils, could be less stable than that in NBF soils. Therefore, successive rotation of pure coniferous plantation cannot be considered as a sustainable production pattern under the silvicultural management regime in subtropical China.