Soil Physical Properties and Water Conservation Function of Model Plantations in South China

Soil physical properties and water holding capacities of litter and woodlands were studied under Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pinus massoniana, Pinus elliottii, Eucalyptus urophylla and Acacia mangium plantations in South China. The capillary porosities, non-capillary porosities and total porosities of upper soil layer in the five plantations were greater than those of lower soil layer, whereas the soil densities were lower than the latter. Generally, the soils under C. lanceolata and A. mangium woodlands were porous, whereas the soil under E. urophylla woodland was solid, and the P. massoniana and P. elliottii showed a median soil density. The order of total water holding capacity of litter was C. lanceolata plantation (18t hm-2) A. mangium plantation (15t hm-2)E. urophylla plantation (14t hm-2) P. massoniana plantation (11t hm-2) P. elliottii plantation (10t hm-2). Soil water holding amount accounted above 99% of that of the woodlands,with the order of C. lanceolata plantation and A. mangium plantation (2064 and 2061t hm-2) P. elliottii plantation (2041t hm-2) P. massoniana plantation (2032t hm-2) E. urophylla plantation (1941t hm-2). The order of water holding amount of the woodlands was C. lanceolata woodland (2082t hm-2)A. mangium woodland (2076t hm-2)P. elliottii woodland (2051t hm-2)P. massoniana woodland (2043t hm-2)E. urophylla woodland (1955t hm-2).