by Fung, Chun-hong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-123). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Reforestation in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework of the study --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1 --- Vegetation and soils --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Trees and soil physical properties --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Aggregate stability --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Organic matter and aggregate stability --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Other factors affecting aggregate stability --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Reforestation and bulk density --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Reforestation and soil moisture --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- Trees and soil chemical properties --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Exchangeable acidity --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Exchangeable acidity and cation exchange capacity --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Organic matter and cation exchange capacity --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Clay and cation exchange capacity --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Organic matter and nitrogen --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Organic matter and phosphorus --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Litter decomposition --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Factor affecting litter decomposition --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Effects of litter on soil nutrient reserve --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- The Study Area / Chapter 3.1 --- Location --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2 --- Geology --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Soils --- p.25 / Chapter 3.4 --- Vegetation --- p.27 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Reforestation since the mid-1980s --- p.27 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Growth performance of the acacias --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Undergrowth of the acacia woodlands --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Effects on Soil Physical Properties / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.33 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Soil texture --- p.33 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Bulk density and porosity --- p.33 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Penetration resistance --- p.34 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Aggregate stability --- p.34 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Water characteristic curve --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Infiltration rate --- p.35 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.36 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Soil texture --- p.36 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "Bulk density, porosity and penetration resistance" --- p.36 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Aggregate stability --- p.38 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Infiltration --- p.39 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Water characteristic curve --- p.40 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.42 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Inherent physical properties of granitic soil --- p.42 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Effects of acacias on the aeration of granite soil --- p.44 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Effects of acacias on the penetration resistance and aggregate stability of granitic soil --- p.46 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Effects of acacias on the water transmission property of granitic soil --- p.47 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- Effects of acacias on the water retention property of granitic soil --- p.50 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Effects on Soil Chemical Properties / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.54 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Soil reaction and conductivity --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.55 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Total phosphorus --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- "Exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and Na" --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Exchangeable A1 and H --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2.8 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.57 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.57 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.58 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Conductivity --- p.58 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Soil pH and exchangeable acidity --- p.58 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Soil organic matter --- p.61 / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.62 / Chapter 5.4.5 --- Total phosphorus --- p.63 / Chapter 5.4.6 --- "Exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and Na" --- p.64 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Inherent chemical properties of granitic soil --- p.67 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Effects of acacias on the acidity of granitic soil --- p.69 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- "Effects of acacias on the organic matter, total nitrogen and phosphorus of granitic soil" --- p.71 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Effects of acacias on the exchangeable cations of granitic soil --- p.74 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Litter Decomposition / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.78 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.79 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Standing litter --- p.79 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Litter decomposition --- p.80 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Chemical analysis --- p.80 / Chapter 6.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.81 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results --- p.81 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Standing litter --- p.81 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Chemical composition of fresh litters --- p.82 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Cumulative dry weight loss of litters --- p.82 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Cumulative weight loss of nutrients --- p.84 / Chapter 6.4.5 --- C : element ratios --- p.88 / Chapter 6.5 --- Discussion --- p.88 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Litter decomposition --- p.88 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Litter decomposition and soil organic matter --- p.93 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Nutrient release patterns --- p.94 / Chapter 6 5 --- 4 Litter decomposition and soil nutrient reserves --- p.96 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.98 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.100 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implication of the study --- p.103 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.106 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestion for future study --- p.108 / References --- p.111 / Appendice --- p.124