Abstract:
This study aimed to explore the short-term effects of different thinning intensities on soil physical properties and tree growth in Huashan pine plantations, providing a theoretical basis for the scientific management of Huashan pine plantations. The research was conducted in Huashan pine plantations in Huidong County, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Three thinning treatments were set up: light thinning (
1800 trees/ha), moderate thinning (
1350 trees/ha), and heavy thinning (900 trees/ha), with an unthinned control group for comparison. Through three years of experimental treatment, soil physical properties and tree growth indicators were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Thinning significantly improved soil physical properties, with soil bulk density decreasing and total porosity, capillary porosity, and water holding capacity increasing, and the effect of heavy thinning was the most significant (
P < 0.05). (2) After thinning, both diameter at breast height and tree height significantly increased (
P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in growth among different thinning intensities. The study indicates that thinning can optimize soil structure and promote tree growth, and heavy thinning (900 trees/ha) has the best effect on the growth of Huashan pine plantations and soil improvement.