Characteristics of macropores in two forest soils on northern slope of Changbai Mountains
长白山北坡两种类型森林土壤的大孔隙特征

By using dye tracing and image analysis, the characteristics and distribution of macropores in brown coniferous forest soil and dark brown forest soil on northern slope of Changbai Mountains were studied, with the factors affecting the formation of the macropores discussed. The results showed that the vertical distribution pattern of soil macropores could be indirecdy known by the variation of dyed area with soil depth. The dyed area of the two soils tended to decrease with increasing soil depth. In 24 hours, the macropore flow transferred 10-20 cm deeper in brown coniferous forest soil than in dark brown forest soil, and there were more macropore flow paths in brown coniferous forest soil. By unit area, brown coniferous forest soil had 6 paths, while dark brown forest soil only had 1 path. The existence of macropore flow could accelerate the infiltration speed by 2 or 3 times at least. Bio-factor was the key factor affecting the formation of macropores in the two kinds of forest soil. There were more macropores formed by soil animals, and the diameter was mostly between 2 and 4 mm.