The Impact of Casuarina equisetifolia Afforestation on Plant Diversity and Soil Carbon Storage in the Coastal Zone of Guangdong
To investigate the soil restoration effects of Casuarina equisetifolia afforestation in the coastal zone of Guangdong Prov-ince,this study selected C.equisetifolia forest sites and adjacent naturally restored forest areas in Heipai Jiao and Hai Gui Island as research subjects.Through field surveys,we measured the carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)content of plants and litter,along with the physicochemical properties of the soil.Combining the changes in vegetation,litter,and soil carbon storage,we assessed the carbon sequestration carbon sink enhancement effects of vegetation after afforestation.The results showed that:(1)After C.equisetifolia afforestation,the species,quantity,and diversity of understory plants significantly increased,with better results observed in the Heipai Jiao sites compared to those on Hai Gui Island.(2)Afforestation measures improved key physicochemical properties and fertility of the soil.The AK content in the soil of the C.equisetifolia forest at Heipai Jiao significantly increased,while the microbial biomass carbon content in the soil of Hai Gui Island also exhibited a significant increase.Moreover,the main physicochemical properties of the soil were positively correlated with the diversity index of understory plant species.(3)Following the afforestation of C.equisetifolia,the carbon storage in the understory plants and litter layer increased the most,while the change in carbon storage in the soil layer was minimal.Al-though afforestation increased the biomass of understory plants and the source of litter,the short-term impact on soil carbon storage was not significant.Therefore,afforestation of C.equisetifolia in the coastal zone of hilly areas significantly en-hanced the diversity of understory plants,improved the physicochemical properties and fertility of the soil,and notably in-creased carbon storage in the understory and litter layers.
Casuarina equisetifoliaCoastal zone afforestationSpecies diversitySoil carbon storage
万方数据
维普
