Abstract:
Objective Soil moisture, as a key factor limiting vegetation growth on the Loess Plateau, further affects regional ecological restoration effectiveness by regulating plant uptake of soil elements.
Methods This study investigated the coupling relationships between soil moisture and macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni), and non-essential elements (Cr, Pb, Cd, Al, Na) in soils and needles of Pinus tabuliformis forests with different stand ages (8, 10, 12, and 16 years) in rocky mountain area of the Loess Plateau.
Results Soil moisture content in P. tabuliformis forests initially increased and then decreased with stand age. Additionally, soil moisture content in the 0−10 cm soil layer (9.52%−13.59%) was generally higher than that in the 10-20 cm soil layer (7.84%−12.23%) across different stand ages. Soils with different stand ages contained relatively high proportions of macronutrients K (19%−69%), Ca (10%−69%), and Mg (10%−23%), as well as the micronutrient Fe (97%−99%) and non-essential elements Al (68%−89%) and Na (11%−32%). Significant differences in elemental concentrations were observed among different stand ages and soil layers. Needles of P. tabuliformis contained relatively high proportions of macronutrients N (32%−43%), P (4%−32%), K (11%−26%), and Ca (6%−34%), as well as the micronutrients Fe (76%−90%) and Mn (4%−18%), and the non-essential elements Na (68%−83%) and Al (16%−31%). Among these elements, the concentrations of P, Ca, Mn, Cd, and Na were relatively sensitive to changes in stand age. P. tabuliformis exhibited strong absorption capacity for N and P across different stand ages. It showed strong enrichment effects for N, Mg, Mn, and Na under drought conditions, suggesting a certain degree of drought tolerance.
Conclusions Soil moisture significantly affects the elemental accumulation processes of P. tabuliformis forests. Therefore, rational regulation of soil moisture and elemental levels is essential for maintaining the health and stability of P. tabuliformis forest ecosystems.