In order to explore the effects of varying thinning intensities on litter hydrology in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantations

a study was conducted in Haodifang Forest Farm

Taiyue Mountains

Shanxi Province. Sample site investigation and laboratory soaking method were used to analyze litter reserves

litter water retention characteristics

litter water holding capacity and absorption rate and their relationships with soaking time for the un-decomposed litter layers and half-decomposed litter layers under different density regulations. The results showed that: (1) The litter reserves showed an order of low thinning (LT)＞moderate thinning (MT)＞heavy thinning (HT)＞control (CK)

indicating that different density control had a positive effect on forest litter production. (2) The maximum water holding rate in CK

LT

MT and HT was 214.30%

219.28%

256.95% and 249.50%

respectively. The maximum water holding capacity was 125.24 t/hm2

186.24 t/hm2

197.68 t/hm2 and 157.96 t/hm2

respectively. The effective water retaining content was as followed 56.06 t/hm2

72.46 t/hm2

82.59 t/hm2 and 58.47 t/hm2. (3) The water holding capacity in half-decomposed litter layers was higher than that in un-decomposed litter layers

but different density control had little effects on water holding process in un-decomposed litter layers. The water holding capacity under MT control was obviously higher than that under LT

HT and CK in half-decomposed litter layers. (4) The absorption rate and soaking time showed a power function. Half-decomposed litter layers had higher water holding capacity than un-decomposed litter layers. There was no significant difference in litter water absorption rate among different density controls.