Secondary Forest Conversion Into Betel Nut Plantations Reduces Soil Water Retention by Altering Soil Properties.

ABSTRACT: Betel nut plantations have rapidly expanded in recent decades owing to their considerable economic benefits, resulting in a significant reduction of tropical secondary rainforests, which has had substantial impacts on soil hydrological properties. However, few studies have investigated the effects of forest conversion on these properties. In this study, soil samples from secondary forests (SF) and betel nut plantations (BP) were collected to assess soil physicochemical and hydrological properties. The results showed significantly higher topsoil (0-10 cm) water content and saturated water-holding capacity in SF than in BP. However, the opposite pattern was observed in the subsurface soil layer (20-60 cm). Similarly, the 0-10 cm soil layer showed higher capillary water capacity and field cap

SUBMITTER: Fu R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12800915 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature