Journal of Northern Agriculture ›› 2023, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (1): 45-60.doi: 10.12190/j.issn.2096-1197.2023.01.06

• Soil and fertilizer • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis and evaluation of soil fertility characteristics for ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings in the Forbidden City

GAO Xing, JIA Huiguo   

  1. The Palace Museum,Beijing 100006,China
  • Received:2022-12-23 Online:2023-02-20 Published:2023-05-22

Abstract: 【Objective】To understand the current soil environment status of ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings in the Forbidden City,in order to protect and enhance the ecosystem function of ancient trees.【Methods】By collecting the soil of five courtyards in the Palace of Great Blessings in the Forbidden City and measuring 12 chemical indicators such as soil hydrolytic N,available K,available P,organic matter and pH value at different depths,the soil fertility of ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings was analyzed and evaluated by soil single factor evaluation,comprehensive evaluation,principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis.【Results】Except for a few strong alkaline areas,the soil of ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings was alkaline with no soil salinization overall. The ancient tree soil content of hydrolytic N,available K,organic matter,available Fe,and available Cu were sufficient. In 56% of the soil samples the content of available P was low. Available Mn and available Zn was not detected in 19% soil samples. Soil microelements was unevenly distributed across different courtyards with high coefficient of variation. The soil pH value had the highest weight coefficient(0.119)and was extremely significantly(P<0.01)positively correlated with water soluble salt,chloride iron,extremely significantly(P<0.01)negatively correlated with available Mn and significantly(P<0.05)negatively correlated with the available Cu and available Zn. The weight coefficients of hydrolytic N(0.111)and organic matter(0.114)were also relatively large,and the two were extremely significantly(P<0.01)positively correlated. The comprehensive fertility index of ancient tree soil ranged from 0.462 to 0.633,with an average value of 0.540,which was generally at a good level(IFI≥0.5). The soil fertility level of ancient trees in the courtyards was best in the Place of Great Blessings west yard followed by the Palace of Great Blessings southwest yard,the Sanctuary of Buddhist Light,the Sanctuary of Buddhist Essence and the Palace of Great Blessings south yard.【Conclusion】The soil fertility level of ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings in the Forbidden City was generally good,however there were variations among the courtyards,which prevented the environment from reaching the optimal state.

Key words: Ancient trees in the Palace of Great Blessings, Soil fertility, Principal component analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, Comprehensive evaluation

CLC Number: 

  • S714.8