Characterization of Forest Soil Acidification in Wenzhou Daluoshan and Zhejiang Wuyanling National Nature Reserve

Abstract

Forest soil acidification is a global environmental problem, and forest ecosystems play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems. To provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of areas, this study selected Daluoshan and Wuyanling National Nature Reserve, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China and determined the characteristics of soil acidification in the two forested areas and the relationship between forest soil acidification and soil physicochemical properties. The forest soil pH value of Daluoshan was 4.25–5.40, and that of Wuyanling was 4.14–5.71. There was a significant difference between the mean soil pH values of the two woodlands (p < 0.01). The two forest soils were dominated by strongly acidic soils, and the top layer of the soils was susceptible to disturbances by environmental factors. With the increase in altitude, different layers of soil in the forests in the two woodland areas showed deepening acidification. Regarding the different plant types and slope directions, the soils under trees in the forests showed the most serious acidification, followed by the soils under shrubs and herbs. Compared with the soils on the leeward slopes, the soils of the forest sites on the windward slopes showed a more severe situation of soil acidification. Redundancy analysis between forest soil acidity indicators and soil physicochemical properties in the two forest sites showed that the main environmental factor affecting soil acidity indicators was salt base saturation, and soil pH and active state Cr, Ni, and Pb showed negative correlations in both forest sites.