Gap areas create heterogeneity in the spatial environment, which is important to plant
regeneration and diversity. Soil physical properties (SPP) are factors that affect plant growth.
This study aims to assess the spatial variability of SPP in different gap sizes and to determine the
effect of gap size on SPP. We used geostatistical analysis to illustrate the spatial patterns of SPP
variability within 9 gaps, classified into three sizes (small, medium, and large) and under the
canopy at the Castanopsis kawakamii natural reserve forest, the soil samples were collected
entire gap area at 20 cm depth with the grid system (resolution: 3 m × 3 m). The following SPPs
were determined using soil cores: soil bulk density (SBD), soil water mass content (SWMC),
soil volumetric moisture content (SVMC), maximum moisture capacity (MMC), capillary water
capacity (CWC), minimum water-holding capacity (MWHC), soil capillary porosity (SCP), and
soil total porosity (STP).Etc...
Keywords
Gap size; Spatial variability; Soil physical properties; Sub-tropical forest; China