Abstract:
To clarify the differences in water conservation capacity of mixed forests stands of
Cunninghamia lanceolata mixed with the broad-leaved species
Schima superba and
Sassafras tzumu at different mixing proportions, a comparative study was conducted in the Yong’an State-owned Forest Farm, Fujian Province. Three mixed forests stand types (5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×1
Schima superba ×4
Sassafras tzumu, 5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×2
Schima superba ×3
Sassafras tzumu, 5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×3
Schima superba ×2
Sassafras tzumu) and a pure
Cunninghamia lanceolata stand (CK) were examined. Using stratified cutting, quadrat harvest, and cutting ring methods, the water-holding capacities of the canopy layer, understory vegetation layer, litter layer, and 0−60 cm soil layer were measured to compare the total water-holding capacities among stand types. The results showed that the water-holding capacities of different layers varied significantly among the mixed stands. Soil served as the main water reservoir, accounting for more than 98% of the total water-holding capacity. The canopy, understory, and litter layers of the mixed stands generally exhibited higher water-holding capacities than those of the pure
Cunninghamia lanceolata stand. The total water-holding capacity of the stands followed the order: 5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×3
Schima superba ×2
Sassafras tzumu (
3231.89 t·hm
−2)>5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×2
Schima superba ×3
Sassafras tzumu (
3186.36 t·hm
−2)>pure
Cunninghamia lanceolata forest (
3024.22 t·hm
−2)>5
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×1
Schima superba ×4
Sassafras tzumu (
2935.40 t·hm
−2).Correlation analysis indicated that the water conservation function of the stands was significantly and positively correlated with total aboveground biomass (
P <0.05), while correlations with mean tree height and mean diameter at breast height were relatively weak. This suggests that biomass is an important structural factor influencing the water-holding capacity of mixed forests. Overall, in
Cunninghamia lanceolata ×
Schima superba ×
Sassafras tzumu mixed forest, moderately increasing the proportion of
Schima superba and maintaining a balanced conifer–broadleaf composition can enhance water regulation and soil water retention capacity. Among the tested combinations, the 5 Cunninghamia lanceolata ×3 Schima superba ×2 Sassafras tzumu mixture exhibited the best water conservation performance.