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Background and aims <p><i>Eucalyptus</i> plantations in South China face ecological and silvicultural problems under traditional high-intensity management like disruptive site preparation, chemical use, and monoculture. We tested whether eco-silviculture, characterized by reduced management intensity and mixed planting, could improve <i>Eucalyptus</i> productivity through altering vegetation-soil interactions.</p> Methods <p>Five plantation types representing different management modes were selected: pure <i>Pinus massoniana</i> as control, pure <i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i> × <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> under traditional and eco-silviculture management, and eco-silviculture-managed <i>Eucalyptus</i> mixed with non-N<sub>2</sub>-fixing and N<sub>2</sub>-fixing species. Understory vegetation diversity, stand biomass, soil microbial community and physiochemical indices were investigated.</p> Results <p>Eco-silviculture management significantly increased shrub diversity and biomass, while herbaceous plants only benefitted in N<sub>2</sub>-fixing tree species mixture (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Although microbial diversity recovered and even significantly surpassed control level (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), the dominant oligotrophic taxa in bacteria and its decreased network complexity implied persistent nutrients competition and mining likely from rapid <i>Eucalyptus</i> growth. Notably, dissolved organic carbon, water content, total K, and pH determined the soil quality. Soil nutrients (K, P, N) significantly increased due to the enhanced microbial biomass and enzymes activities under Eco-silviculture (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Stand volume in <i>Eucalyptus</i> plantations was primarily driven by soil nutrients and physiochemical properties (pH, water content, porosity). N<sub>2</sub>-fixing mixtures with greater soil quality demonstrated 48% greater volume compared to traditional management (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>Eco-silviculture improved productivity through minimal soil disturbance and increased nutrient cycling and availability, offering an effective management mode for sustainable forestry in China.</p>

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Decreased management intensity and mixed planting enhance Eucalyptus productivity through improved soil quality under eco-silviculture management in southern China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月26日

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  • Jingwen Chen,
  • Yongjie Huang,
  • Xiaoguo Zhou,
  • Yuanguang Wen,
  • Qiuhai Chen,
  • Hui Gao,
  • Dongjing Sun,
  • Lei Wang,
  • Angang Ming,
  • Hans Lambers

摘要

Background and aims

Eucalyptus plantations in South China face ecological and silvicultural problems under traditional high-intensity management like disruptive site preparation, chemical use, and monoculture. We tested whether eco-silviculture, characterized by reduced management intensity and mixed planting, could improve Eucalyptus productivity through altering vegetation-soil interactions.

Methods

Five plantation types representing different management modes were selected: pure Pinus massoniana as control, pure Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis under traditional and eco-silviculture management, and eco-silviculture-managed Eucalyptus mixed with non-N2-fixing and N2-fixing species. Understory vegetation diversity, stand biomass, soil microbial community and physiochemical indices were investigated.

Results

Eco-silviculture management significantly increased shrub diversity and biomass, while herbaceous plants only benefitted in N2-fixing tree species mixture (p < 0.05). Although microbial diversity recovered and even significantly surpassed control level (p < 0.05), the dominant oligotrophic taxa in bacteria and its decreased network complexity implied persistent nutrients competition and mining likely from rapid Eucalyptus growth. Notably, dissolved organic carbon, water content, total K, and pH determined the soil quality. Soil nutrients (K, P, N) significantly increased due to the enhanced microbial biomass and enzymes activities under Eco-silviculture (p < 0.05). Stand volume in Eucalyptus plantations was primarily driven by soil nutrients and physiochemical properties (pH, water content, porosity). N2-fixing mixtures with greater soil quality demonstrated 48% greater volume compared to traditional management (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Eco-silviculture improved productivity through minimal soil disturbance and increased nutrient cycling and availability, offering an effective management mode for sustainable forestry in China.