Characteristics of soil fertility under pure Pinus tabulaeformis forests and shrubs in Badaling Mountain Area of Beijing

Depth of soil genetic layers,soil physical property,soil organic matter and soil nutrients under Pinus tabulaeformis and shrub forests were studied in order to fix soil health management measures in Badaling lower mountains,Beijing. The results showed that the average thickness of organic horizon under P.tabulaeformis forests was 4.0 cm and 96.30% higher than that under shrubs.The soil physical properties under P.tabulaeformis,such as clay content,soil porosity and water holding capacity,were lower than those under shrubs but without any significant differences.However,in 0-5 cm horizon under P.tabulaeformis forests,soil pH value was more acidic by 0.3 unit than that of shrubs,the content of soil organic matter,total N,hydrolyzable N,available P,and available K decreased respectively by 31.86%,34.38%,22.28%, 24.56% and 22.86% compared with those under shrubs with significant differences(p<0.05).Compared soil properties under P.tabulaeformis with those under shrubs,some differences between 0-5 cm and 0-20 cm horizons were varied.Our data suggest that P.tabulaeformis may develop organic horizon,and shrub could increase soil organic matter and nutrients.To improve the soil productivity,some shrubs should be retained or patched up in management plan for pure P.tabulaeformis forests.