The contribution of litter and soil to water conservation capacity as affected by land use change and stand age in Carya cathayensis plantations

The conversion of natural forests to plantations often degrades hydrological functions, yet the recovery trajectory and the relative roles of litter and soil remain poorly quantified. Using a chronosequence of Carya cathayensis plantations (6-, 20-, 50-year-old) and a natural forest (NF) control, we quantified how land use change and stand age affect water conservation capacity through litter and soil pathways. Conversion significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) litter accumulation (LA) and soil porosi