Welcome to visit Scientia Silvae Sinicae,Today is

Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (8): 46-57.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250035

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics of Fine Root Decomposition and Nutrient Release during Phyllostachys edulis Expansion into Cunninghamia lanceolata Forest and Broad-Leaved Forest in Mufu Mountain Area

Xiaorong Wang1,2,Miao Gong3,Zhongchun Gu1,Xingyi Hu1,Lianghua Qi4,Haishan Tan3,Xue Dai1,Qingping Liu3,Shaodan Xia3,Hu Zhao1,*()   

  1. 1. Hubei Academy of Forestry Wuhan 430075
    2. Daba Mountain for Positioning Observation and Research of Forest Ecosystem in Hubei Province Shiyan 442200
    3. Xianning Academy of Forestry Xianning 437100
    4. International Center for Bamboo and Rattan Beijing 100102
  • Received:2025-01-15 Online:2025-08-25 Published:2025-09-02
  • Contact: Hu Zhao E-mail:2385852743@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to understand the fine root decomposition characteristics, nutrient dynamics, and main influencing factors during the expansion of Phyllostachys edulis into Cunninghamia lanceolata forest and broad-leaved forest. The goal was to reveal the mechanisms underlying the effects of bamboo expansion on belowground carbon turnover and nutrient cycling in forest. Method: Utilizing continuous ecological interfaces formed by P. edulis expansion into C. lanceolata forest (C. lanceolata forest → bamboo and fir mixed forest → P. edulis forest) and broad-leaved forest (broad-leaved forest → bamboo and broad-leaved mixed forest → P. edulis forest) in the Mufu Mountain area, we combined in-situ and ex-situ decomposition methods to investigate the dry mass residual rate and the dynamics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) content in the fine roots of C. lanceolata, Camptotheca acuminata, and P. edulis along these two expansion sequences. Result: The initial C content, C/N ratio, C/P ratio and N/P ratio of C. acuminata fine roots were significantly lower than those of C. lanceolata and P. edulis (P<0.05). Conversely, its initial N content and P contents were significantly higher than those of them(P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these initial elemental traits between P. edulis and C. lanceolata. In the sequence of the expansion of P. edulis into C. lanceolata forest, the decomposition rate of P. edulis fine roots and their C, N and P release rates were significantly higher than those of C. lanceolata (P<0.05). The decomposition rates of fine roots for both species did not change significantly with increasing bamboo expansion intensity. The phased dry mass loss rate of the moso bamboo fine root was positively correlated with soil temperature. In the sequence of the expansion of P. edulis into broad-leaved forest, the decomposition rate and C, N, P release rates of C. acuminata fine roots were significantly higher than those of P. edulis (P<0.05). P. edulis fine roots decomposition accelerated with increasing expansion intensity, exhibiting a home-field advantage. C. acuminata roots released C faster but N more slowly than P. edulis roots, while P release showed no significant difference between the two species. Conclusion: P. edulis expansion enhanced the fine root decomposition of C. lanceolata and C. acuminata to some extent. However, the patterns of nutrient release from fine roots varied significantly between the two expanded forest types. Initial fine root chemical traits were identified as the primary factor regulating fine root decomposition and nutrient release during bamboo expansion into both C. lanceolata forest and broad-leaved forest. Notably, P. edulis fine roots exhibited a distinct home-field advantage effect along the expansion sequence into broad-leaved forest.

Key words: Mufu Mountain area, moso bamboo expansion, continuous ecological interfaces, fine root decomposition, nutrient release

CLC Number: