Hydrological Characteristics of Forest Litter and Soil in Different Successional Stages in the Hilly Region of Central Hubei

The hydrological characteristics of the litter and soil in three different forest successional stages as coniferous forest,coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest,and deciduous broad-leaved forest(8forest stands)were studied in Taizishan forest farm,central Hubei,by using the method of substituting time with space.The results showed that the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest had the biggest total litter amount(9.76～12.01t/hm2),the maximum water holding ratio of the litter in deciduous broad-leaved forest was the highest.The effective retain capacity of litters under coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests and deciduous broad-leaved forests were greater.And there were no significant differences between them.The effective retain capacity of the litter in Quercus acutissima mixed stand was the biggest,reaching to 16.81 t/hm2.In different successional periods,the order of NCWHC(non-capillary water-holding capacity)and MWHC(maximal water-holding capacity)below the depth of 0-40cm soil layer was as follows:Coniferous forestconiferous and broad-leaved mixed forestdeciduous broad-leaved forest.Water-holding capacity of soil under Quercus acutissima mixed stand was the highest(2 145.8t/hm2).In conclusion,the deciduous broad-leaved forest was optimal among three forest types in terms of water conservation,suggested that during the restoration of forest vegetation in study area deciduous broad-leaved forests should be improved in the process of the forest succession.