The formation of a canopy gap results in changes to the microenvironment which, in turn, affect litter decomposition and nutrient release. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects in differently sized gaps and non-gaps remain poorly understood. To address this gap in knowledge, we selected three large gaps (above 150 m²), three medium gaps (50–100 m²), three small gaps (30–50 m²), and three non-gaps with basically the same site conditions. We then used the litter bag method to investigate leaf and branch litter decomposition over a year in a Castanopsis kawakamii natural forest with the aim of characterizing the litter mass remaining and the nutrient release in canopy gaps and non-gaps. Our results revealed that the remaining litter mass of leaf and branch litter was lower in medium gaps compared to other gaps, and leaf litter decomposed faster than branch litter. Environmental factors were identified as the primary drivers of total carbon and nitrogen release during litter decomposition. Gap size (canopy openness), taxonomic Margalef index, the Brillouin index of soil microbes, soil total nitrogen content, soil pH value, and average air temperature were identified as the main factors driving carbon and nitrogen release from branch litter. In the late decomposition stage, the taxonomic Pielou index, soil total potassium content, soil water content, and average relative air humidity were the main drivers of nutrient release from branch litter. The soil water content and average relative air humidity were also found to be the main factors affecting the nutrient release from leaf litter throughout the different stages of decomposition. Overall, our study highlights the impact of canopy gaps on microenvironmental variation, taxonomic community diversity, and soil microbial functional diversity and how these factors ultimately influence litter decomposition and nutrient release. Our findings provide an important foundation for further research into soil nutrient cycling in subtropical natural forests.

Soil fungal communities play a critical role in the promotion of nutrient cycling and the stabilization of ecosystem functions in subtropical forests. Yet, clarifying the relationships between soil fungal diversity and microclimate variability along an elevational gradient, as well as understanding the driving mechanisms of their variations in subtropical forests, remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we recorded the composition and soil fungal diversity along an elevational gradient in Daiyun Mountain of China, aiming to elucidate the primary factors influencing the structure of the dominant soil fungal along an elevational gradient in subtropical forests. The results showed that (1) the dominant phylum of soil fungi at different elevations were Basidiomycota, Ascomycota (relative abundance > 10%) and Zygomycota (relative abundance > 1%). The Simpson index of soil fungi showed a clear upward trend along the elevational gradient, while no significant difference was observed in the other indices, and both overall reached their maximum value at the elevation of 1200 m. (2) The mean annual soil temperature and moisture, soil pH and available phosphorus were the main factors driving the dominant soil fungal along the elevational gradient. (3) Co–occurrence network analyses revealed a distinct modular structure of dominant soil fungal communities at different elevations, with Ascomycetes identified as the key taxa in fungi network relationships. Our research holds ecological significance in understanding the pivotal role of soil environmental factors in shaping the complex composition and interactions within soil fungal communities.

In recent years, as civilization and human society have progressed, the potential and innovative capacity of various sectors of forest therapy have increasingly been recognized. However, the landscape of forest therapy is characterized by significant disparities in its distribution and uneven development patterns. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the distribution of forest therapy bases is crucial for optimizing the organization and allocation of resources within this industry, thereby promoting the growth of the forest therapy bases. This research delves into the spatial arrangement of forest therapy bases within Fujian Province, southern China. This study employs the nearest neighbor index, geographic concentration index, kernel density index, scale index, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and redundancy analysis to identify the primary factors influencing the geographical distribution of the bases. The study reveals three key findings about the spatial distribution of forest therapy bases in Fujian Province: (1) Centers are predominantly located in Nanping and Sanming, with a development pattern moving eastward and southward from Jianning and Taining in Sanming. (2) An imbalance is evident in the distribution, where areas with higher center concentrations exhibit a stronger spatial autocorrelation, characterized by high-density clusters. (3) Economic and environmental variables substantially affect center placement. At the municipal level, GDP, number of tourists, and forest coverage are significant. Conversely, at the district or county level, determinants include forest coverage, number of primary and secondary school students, forest land area, and GDP. Thus, it is suggested that the selection of bases for future forest therapy and the development of related industries should take into account local economic, environmental, and social factors. It aims to offer a scientific basis for planning forest therapy, potentially spreading its benefits to more areas.