Storage and Water Holding Characteristics of the Litter Layer of Typical Forest Types in the Central Sichuan Hilly Region

Water holding tests of 45group litter samples were carried out by the methods of field stratified sampling and laboratory immersion at 5kinds of typical forest lands in the central Sichuan hilly region in order to assess storage and hydrological functions of main forest litter.The results showed that the maximum litter layers' storage of Cupressus funebris forest reached 10.07t/hm2,was 1.13times,1.14times,1.37times and 3.00times of Pinus massoniana forest,mixed wood,Bambusa emeiensis forest and Populus szechuanicaforest respectively.The content of each decomposed layer were as follows:Semi-decomposed layerdecomposed layernon-decomposed layer.Water holding capacity of semi-decomposed layer,nearly compared with that of decomposed layer,were all less than that of non-decomposed layer.Bambusa emeiensis forest was the biggest among water holding capacity of non-decomposed layer.Water holding rate and absorption rate were 8.58g/g and 92.37g/(g·h)during 15min soaking.Water holding rate and absorption rate showed a power function with immersion time.Amplitude of water holding rate slowed down and stabilized after 2hours.Water holding depth and interception depth of Cupressus funebris forest was the biggest,as 3.61 mm and 2.23 mm respectively for the maximum water depth and effective interception depth,followed by Pinus massoniana forest,Bambusa emeiensis forest,mixed wood and Populus szechuanica forest.Water holding capacity in 5minute accounted for about 50% of maximum water holding capacity.Therefore,litter layer of coniferous forest,more significant in eco-hydrological function,should be managed and protected effectively.