Effects of different ecological planting modes of economic forests on soil infiltration characteristics in the Dabie Mountain area of China

Abstract The effect of different ecological planting modes of economic forests on soil infiltration characteristics is an essential topic for designing sustainable forest management practices. This study examined the soil infiltration characteristics of mono‐planting Chinese chestnut forest (MCF), Chinese chestnut‐tea intercropping (TCF) and Chinese chestnut forest with close‐to‐nature restoration (NCF) and compared them with mixed wood forest (MWF, the control) in Jinzhai County, which is located at the northern foot of Dabie Mountain. The basic soil properties and water infiltration characteristics of topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm) were measured, and the main factors affecting soil water infiltration characteristics were analysed. The results showed that: (1) Compared with MWF, soil water infiltration rates of MCF, TCF and NCF were significantly reduced, and NCF had higher soil water infiltration rates than TCF; (2) After MWF was converted to MCF or TCF, soil bulk density of 0–40 cm increased significantly, and the soil clay content, organic matter, porosity, water content and aggregate stability decreased; (3) The response of topsoil properties to planting mode was higher than that of subsoil; (4) Correlation analysis showed that the amount of macroaggregate fraction (>0.25 mm), soil porosity and SOM were the most important factors affecting soil water infiltration characteristics of Chinese chestnut forest under different ecological planting modes in Dabie Mountain. Close‐to‐nature restoration of Chinese chestnut forest might be a proper planting mode to enhance soil water infiltration characteristics in the studied area.