Hydrological effects of litter in the bamboo forests of Changning County, Sichuan Province

By the field investigation and experimental measurement,the standing crops and water conservation capacity of litter in different bamboo forests of Changning County,Sichuan Province,were studied.The results were as followings: 1) the standing crops of litter was averagely(6.99±3.20) t/hm²,of which,the standing crops of duff was(2.71±1.63) t/hm² with a proportion of 39%,and the standing crops of decomposed litter was(4.28±2.60) t/hm²,proportionately 61%;2)between the duff and the decomposed layers,there were significant differences in natural moisture capacities,but no differences in moisture-holding capacity and the ratio of moisture capacity;3) moisture-holding capacity and its ratio were(14.08±6.56) t/hm² and 181% respectively,which were both lower than the other forest stands;4) the standing crop and its decomposed degree of litter in bamboo plantations were lower than those in secondary forests;5)there was an extremely significant correlation between standing crop and moisture-holding capacity of litter(r=0.94,n=186,p＜0.000 1),according with power equation.Summarily,both the standing crop and moisture-holding capacity of litter in bamboo forests were lower than the other forest stands,and by artificial management,the ecological effect of bamboo forests would be influenced with the clearance of branches and leaves.