Forest transformation effects on the soil water-holding capacity depend on the forest characteristics and soil properties: A case study in the subtropical regions of southeast China

Forest transformation commonly occurs insubtropical areas due toextensive human disturbance. However, weknow little about how forest transformation may affect the soil water-holding capacity. Here, weevaluated the effects offorest transformation from natural forests tosecondary forests, Castanopsis carlesii plantations, and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations onthe soil water-holding capacity, including the soil water content (SWC), maximum water holding rate (Rt), capillary holding rate (Rc), and non-capillary water holding rate (Rn), and assessed the influences ofsoil properties and stand characteristics onthe forest transformation effects. The results showed that (i)the soil water-holding capacity insecondary forests increased significantly (SWC: 27.3%; Rt: 50.9%; Rc: 36.9%; Rn: 14.0%), but decreased inthe Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations (SWC: 24.6%; Rt: 47.0%; Rc: 34.0%; Rn: 13.0%), compared tothe nature forests (SWC: 26.0%; Rt: 48.3%; Rc: 34.9%; Rn: 13.4%); (ii) the soil water-holding capacity was positively correlated with the soil porosity, soil total nitrogen concentration, stand density, but negatively influenced bythe soil bulk density and diameter atbreast height (DBH); and (iii) the stand density, DBH and litterfall amount were the major factors regulating the soil water-holding capacity after the forest transformation. Overall, these results indicated that the soil water-holding capacity would be strongly altered by the forest transformation, but it depends on the soil properties before the transformation and the characteristics of the transformed forests. Our findings will help to better understand the functions of forests in water source conservation under the pressures of human disturbances and environmental changes.