Abstract:
Objective This study aims to explore the spatial characteristics of soil exchange cation capacity (CEC) and exchangeable base cations, and understand the soil nutrient retention capacity and the influencing factors in the E’huangzhang montane rain forest.
Method The soils under different positions and different layers in the montane rain forest of E’huangzhang were sampled. The spatial distribution pattern and vertical distribution of soil CEC and exchangeable base cations were analyzed.
Result The average CEC content was only 5.46 ± 0.97 cmol(+) kg−1. The soil total exchangeable base (TEB) in surface soil (0-10 cm) showed the ranking of shady slope > sunny slope, downslope > middle slope > upslope. The content of soil exchangeable based cations showed a trend of K + > Mg2 + > Ca2 + > Na + , and Ca2 + /Mg2 + < 1.6, and the soil CEC and TEB were significantly positively correlated with soil TOC.
Conclusion The results suggests that there is a risk of physiological calcium deficiency in E’huangzhang montane rain forest soil, especially in sunny slope, and there exists the risk of instability of soil organic matter causing the decreasing soil CEC in this area.