[Effects of snow pack removal on the dynamics of winter-time soil temperature, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in alpine forests of west Sichuan].

The dynamic changes of snow pack as affected by global warming might have strong effects on the ecological processes in alpine forests. To understand the responses of soil ecological processes in the alpine forests of west Sichuan to the decreasing snow pack under global warming, a snow-shading experiment was conducted in a primary fir forest from October 19, 2009 to May 18, 2010, with the effects of snow pack removal on the dynamics of soil temperature, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus investigated. The results showed that snow pack removal increased the diurnal variation amplitude of soil temperature and the frequency of freeze-thaw cycle, and advanced the time of soil frozen and melt as well as the peak time of soil dissolved carbon and nitrogen, available P, NH4(+)-N, and NO3(-)-N. Snow pack removal increased the concentrations of soil dissolved carbon and nitrogen and NO3(-)-N but decreased the concentrations of soil available P and NH4(+)-N, and changed the ratios of soil dissolved carbon and nitrogen, available P, NH4(+)-N, and NO3(-)-N in the period of snow cover and snow melt. The decreased snow pack in winter time in the alpine forests of west Sichuan as affected by global warming could alter the soil exterior environment, and further, affect the processes of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus.