The Seasonal Impact of Thinning Intensities on Soil Carbon Cycling in the Lesser Xing’an Range, Northeast China

Abstract

Forest degradation, driven by human and natural factors, diminishes ecological functions and carbon storage. Understanding the complex dynamics of soil carbon pools is crucial for the global carbon cycle, although these dynamics are poorly understood. This study examines how different thinning intensities influence seasonal soil carbon cycling in degraded forests. ANOVA revealed significant differences in soil properties across treatments (p p < 0.05). Seasonal variations affected soil carbon dynamics and lower thinning intensities improved carbon sequestration in spring and summer. Conversely, higher thinning intensities led to carbon loss in autumn and winter. Litter carbon, fine root carbon, and correction factor significantly respond to thinning intensities year-round as examined through redundancy analysis and random forest analyses. Findings indicate moderate thinning effectively enhances soil carbon sequestration in degraded forests. Strategically planned thinning could aid climate change mitigation by boosting forest soil carbon storage, influencing forest management and conservation.

Keywords

• ecological restoration
• thinning
• soil carbon cycling
• degraded forests
• seasonal effects