Natural forests exhibit higher organic carbon concentrations and recalcitrant carbon proportions in soil than plantations:a global data synthesis

Different chemical compositions of soil organic carbon(SOC)affect its persistence and whether it signifi-cantly differs between natural forests and plantations remains unclear.By synthesizing 234 observations of SOC chemical compositions,we evaluated global patterns of concentra-tion,individual chemical composition(alkyl C,O-alkyl C,aromatic C,and carbonyl C),and their distribution even-ness.Our results indicate a notably higher SOC,a markedly larger proportion of recalcitrant alkyl C,and lower easily decomposed carbonyl C proportion in natural forests.How-ever,SOC chemical compositions were appreciably more evenly distributed in plantations.Based on the assumed con-ceptual index of SOC chemical composition evenness,we deduced that,compared to natural forests,plantations may have higher possible resistance to SOC decomposition under disturbances.In tropical regions,SOC levels,recalcitrant SOC chemical composition,and their distributed evenness were significantly higher in natural forests,indicating that SOC has higher chemical stability and possible resistance to decomposition.Climate factors had minor effects on alkyl C in forests globally,while they notably affected SOC chemi-cal composition in tropical forests.This could contribute to the differences in chemical compositions and their distrib-uted evenness between plantations and natural stands.

The Contribution of Hemispherical Photographs to Understand Natural Forest Regeneration in the AKAK Forest Area

Examining the contribution of hemispherical photographs in the understanding of Natural forest regeneration is very important in estimating the future forest structure, composition and to enforce conservation regulations. This study sets out to examine the interaction between stump sprouting, LAI, site and canopy openness for the entire AKAK forest area and for the logging compartments;2013, 2015 and 2017 respectively. 49 sprouted stump were identified randonly. 20 m × 20 m plots were demarcated along a canopy gaps for each sprouted stump, the plots were established in such a manner that the sprouted stumps will be in the middle. For each of the selected 49 sprouted stump, indirect measurements of canopy cover were performed in the 49 plots of 20 m × 20 m (0.04 ha), giving a total of 1.96 ha of land covered. Galaxy S3 smartphone with a built-in Infinix ZERO 4 fish-eye lens with 198˚ view angle equidistant projection was used to take photos. The fish-eye lens was mounted on the phone camera and photograph were taken at a fixed height of 1.3 m. Results revealed that, the combine Principal Component Factor Analysis (2013, 2015 and 2017) of the correlation matrix for Sprout, Years, LAI 4%, LAI 5%, Canopy and Site openness, shows that factor 1 explained 62.6% of total variance while factor 2 explained 17.9% together explain 80.05% Communalities. For the year 2013, 2015 and 2017 respectively shows that there is a very strong correlation (p p < 0.0005) between LAI4 and LAI5.

Natural forest ALS-TLS point cloud data registration without control points

Airborne laser scanning(ALS)and terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)has attracted attention due to their forest parameter investigation and research applications.ALS is limited to obtaining fi ne structure information below the forest canopy due to the occlusion of trees in natural forests.In contrast,TLS is unable to gather fi ne structure information about the upper canopy.To address the problem of incomplete acquisition of natural forest point cloud data by ALS and TLS on a single platform,this study proposes data registration without control points.The ALS and TLS original data were cropped according to sample plot size,and the ALS point cloud data was converted into relative coordinates with the center of the cropped data as the origin.The same feature point pairs of the ALS and TLS point cloud data were then selected to register the point cloud data.The initial registered point cloud data was fi nely and optimally registered via the iterative closest point(ICP)algorithm.The results show that the proposed method achieved highprecision registration of ALS and TLS point cloud data from two natural forest plots of Pinus yunnanensis Franch.and Picea asperata Mast.which included diff erent species and environments.An average registration accuracy of 0.06 m and 0.09 m were obtained for P.yunnanensis and P.asperata,respectively.

Detecting the presence of natural forests using airborne laser scanning data

Centuries of forest exploitation have caused significant loss of natural forests in Europe,leading to a decline in populations for many species.To prevent further loss in biodiversity,the Norwegian government has set a target of protecting 10%of the forested area.However,recent data from the National Forest Inventory(NFI)reveals that less than 2%of Norway's forested area consists of natural forests.To identify forests with high conservation value,we used vertical and horizontal variables derived from airborne laser scanning(ALS)data,along with NFI plot measurements.Our study aimed to predict the presence of natural forests across three counties in southeastern Norway,using three different definitions:pristine,near-natural,and semi-natural forests.Natural forests are scarce,and their underrepresentation in field reference data can compromise the accuracy of the predictions.To address this,we assessed the potential gain of including additional field data specifically targeting natural forests to achieve a better balance in the dataset.Additionally,we examined the impact of stratifying the data by dominant tree species on the performance of the models.Our results revealed that semi-natural forests were the most accurately predicted,followed by near-natural and pristine forests,with Matthews correlation coefficient values of 0.32,0.24,and 0.17,respectively.Including additional field data did not improve the predictions.However,stratification by species improved the accuracy of predictions for near-natural and semi-natural forests,while reducing accuracy for pristine forests.The use of horizontal variables did not improve the predictions.Our study demonstrates the potential of ALS data in identifying forests with high conservation value.It provides a basis for further research on the use of ALS data for the detection and conservation of natural forests,offering valuable insights to guide future forest preservation efforts.

A novel model to evaluate spatial structure in thinned conifer-broadleaved mixed natural forests

In order to ensure the effective analysis and reconstruction of forests,it is key to ensure the quantitative description of their spatial structure.In this paper,a distance model for the optimal stand spatial structure based on weighted Voronoi diagrams is proposed.In particular,we provide a novel methodological model for the comprehensive evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands in natural mixed conifer-broadleaved forests and the formulation of management decision plans.The applicability of the rank evaluation and the optimal solution distance model are compared and assessed for different standard sample plots of natural mixed conifer-broadleaved forests.The effect of crown width on the spatial structure unit of the trees is observed to be higher than that of the diameter at breast height.Moreover,the influence of crown length is greater than that of tree height.There are nine possible spatial structure units determined by the weighted Voronoi diagram for the number of neighboring trees in the central tree,with an average intersection of neighboring crowns reaching 80%.The rank rating of natural forest sample plots is correlated with the optimal solution distance model,and their results are generally consistent for natural forests.However,the rank rating is not able to provide a quantitative assessment.The optimal solution distance model is observed to be more comprehensive than traditional methods for the evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands.It can effectively reflect the trends in realistic stand spatial structure factors close to or far from the ideal structure point,and accurately assesses the forest spatial structure.The proposed optimal solution distance model improves the integrated evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands and provides solid theoretical and technical support for sustainable forest management.

Problems and relevant strategies on natural forest protection in Changbai Mountain forest area

Changbai Mountain forest area is not only is a national timber base but also a green ecological defense for Songliao Plain of NE China. The Natural Forest Protection Project of this area has an important bearing on the social and economic sustainable development of Jilin Province or even the whole forest area in NE China. This paper summarized general conditions of natural forest in Changbai Mountain state-owned forest area and put forward six problems need to be urgently solved and five strategic suggestions on natural forest protection and sustainable management.

Soil Biological Changes for a Natural Forest and Two Plantations in Subtropical China

Conversion of natural forests into pure plantation forests is a common management practice in subtropical China.To evaluate the effects of forest conversion on soil fertility, microbe numbers and enzyme activities in topsoils (0-10 cm)were quantified in two 33-year-old monoculture plantations of Castanopsis kawakamii Hayata (CK) and Cunninghamia lanceolata Lamb. (Chinese fir) (CF), and compared to a neighboring relict natural C. kawakamii forest (NF), in Sanming,Fujian. Five soil samples were collected once each in January, April, July, September and November in 2000 in each forest for laboratory analysis. Over the sampling year, there were significant differences for bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes between forests and between seasons (P ＜ 0.05). The largest bacteria and fungi populations were in NF, while CF contained the greatest number of actinomycetes. There were also significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) with microbial respiration for forests and seasons. Additionally, compared with NF, urease and acid phosphatase were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05)in CK and CF. Also, the correlations of soil hydrolysable N and available P to soil microbial and enzymatic activities were highly significant (P ＜ 0.01). Thus, to alter the traditional Chinese fir monoculture so as to mimic the natural forest conditions, managing mixed stands of Chinese fir and broadleaf trees or conducting crop rotation of conifers and broadleaf trees as well as minimizing forest disturbances like clear-cutting, slash burning and soil preparing, could be utilized.

Biomass Carbon Storage and Its Sequestration Potential of Afforestation under Natural Forest Protection Program in China

Based on the data from China′s Seventh Forest Inventory for the period of 2004–2008, area and stand volume of different types and age-classes of plantation were used to establish the relationship between biomass density and age of planted forests in different regions of the country. Combined with the plantation area in the first-stage of the Natural Forest Protection(NFP) program(1998–2010), this study calculated the biomass carbon storage of the afforestation in the first-stage of the program. On this basis, the carbon sequestration potential of these forests was estimated for the second stage of the program(2011–2020). Biomass carbon storage of plantation established in the first stage of the program was 33.67 Tg C, which was majority accounted by protection forests(30.26 Tg C). There was a significant difference among carbon storage in different regions, which depended on the relationship of biomass carbon density, forest age and plantation area. Under the natural growth, the carbon storage was forecasted to increase annually from 2011 to 2020, reaching 96.03 Tg C at the end of the second-stage of the program in 2020. The annual growth of the carbon storage was forecasted to be 6.24 Tg C/yr, which suggested that NFP program has a significant potential for enhancing carbon sequestration in plantation forests under its domain.

A statistical analysis of spatiotemporal variations and determinant factors of forest carbon storage under China's Natural Forest Protection Program

The Natural Forest Protection Program(NFPP)is one of the key ecological forestry programs in China.It not only facilitates the improvement of forest ecological quality in NFPP areas,but also plays a significant role in increasing the carbon storage of forest ecosystems.The program covers 17 provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities with correspondingly diverse forest resources and environments,ecological features,engineering measures and forest management regimes,all of which affect regional carbon storage.In this study,volume of timber harvest,tending area,pest-infested forest,firedamaged forest,reforestation,and average annual precipitation,and temperature were evaluated as factors that influence carbon storage.We developed a vector autoregression model for these seven indicators and we studied the dominant factors of carbon storage in the areas covered by NFPP.Timber harvest was the dominant factorinfluencing carbon storage in the Yellow and Yangtze River basins.Reforestation contributed most to carbon storage in the state-owned forest region in Xinjiang.In state-owned forest regions of Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces,the dominant factors were forest fires and forest cultivation,respectively.For the enhancement of carbon sequestration capacity,a longer rotation period and a smaller timber harvest are recommended for the Yellow and Yangtze River basins.Trees should be planted in stateowned forests in Xinjiang.Forest fires should be prevented in state-owned forests in Heilongjiang,and greater forest tending efforts should be made in the state-owned forests in Jilin.

Carbon Return and Dynamics of Litterfall in Natural Forest and Monoculture Plantation of Castanopsis kawakamii in Subtropical China

The amount of carbon returned through litterfall and its seasonal pattern were studied in a natural forest of Castanopsis kawakamii (NF) and adjacent monoculture plantations of C. kawakamii (CK) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) (CF) in Sanming, Fujian Province, China. Mean annual carbon return through total litterfall over 3 years (from 1999 to 2001) was 5.097 t穐m2 in the NF, 4.337 t穐m2 in the CK and 2.502 t穐m2 in the CF respectively. Of the total carbon return in the three forests, leaf contribution accounted for 58.96%, 68.53% and 56.12% and twig 24.41%, 22.34% and 26.18%, respectively. The seasonal patterns of carbon return from total litterfall and leaf-litter were quite similar among the three forests. A peak of carbon input from litterfall in the NF and the CK occurred in spring except for the highest annual C return through branch litter of the NF in summer, while the CF showed the maximum C return in summer. The results of this study demonstrate that the natural forest has a greater C return through litterfall than monoculture plantations, which is beneficial to the increase of soil organic matter storage and the maintenance of soil fertility.

A comparative assessment on regeneration status of indigenous woody plants in Eucalyptus grandis plantation and adjacent natural forest

Diversity, density and species composition of naturally regenerated woody plants under Eucalyptus grandis plantation and the adjacent natural forest were investigated and compared. Twenty plots, with an area of 20 m × 20 m for each, were established in both of E. grand＆ plantation and adjacent natural forest, independently. In each plot, species name, abundance, diameter and height were recorded. Numbers of seedling were collected in five sub-plots （4 m2） within each major plot. A total of 46 species in the plantation, and 52 species in the natural forest, which belongs to 36 families were recorded. The diversity of species （H＇） is 2.19 in the plantation and 2.74 in the natural forest. The density of understory woody plant was 3842 stems/ha in the plantation and 4122 stems/ha in the natural forest. The densities of seedlings in the natural forest and the plantation were 8101 stems/ha and 4151 stems/ha, respectively. High similarity of woody species composition was found between the natural forest and the plantation. The E. grand＆ plantation was found favoring the regeneration and growth of Millitiaferruginia and Coffea arabica in a much better way than other underneath woody species.

Effects of management regimes on carbon sequestration under the Natural Forest Protection Program in northeast China

Carbon sinks constitute an important element within the complex phenomenon of global climate change,and forest ecosystems are important global carbon sinks.The Natural Forest Protection Program（NFPP） is an ecological program in China that was established after catastrophic flooding in the country in 1998.The goals of the NFPP are to curb the deterioration of the ecological environment,strengthen the protection and restoration of habitat to increase biodiversity,and rehabilitate natural forests to support sustainable development in forest regions.This study looked at changes in carbon sequestration in a forested area of northeast China after the inception of the NFPP.The program divides China＇s natural forests into three classes—commercial and two types of noneconomic forests—that are subject to management regimes prescribing varying levels of timber harvest,afforestation,and reforestation.During the 18-year period from 1998 to 2015,the total amount of carbon sequestration increased at an average annual rate of 0.04 MT C.This trend reflects a transformation of forest management practices after implementation of the NFPP that resulted in prohibited and/or restricted logging and tighter regulation of allowable harvest levels for specific areas.In documenting this trend,guidelines for more effective implementation of forestry programs such as the NFPP in other countries in the future are also suggested.

Point-cloud segmentation of individual trees in complex natural forest scenes based on a trunk-growth method

Forest resource management and ecological assessment have been recently supported by emerging technologies.Terrestrial laser scanning(TLS)is one that can be quickly and accurately used to obtain three-dimensional forest information,and create good representations of forest vertical structure.TLS data can be exploited for highly significant tasks,particularly the segmentation and information extraction for individual trees.However,the existing single-tree segmentation methods suffer from low segmentation accuracy and poor robustness,and hence do not lead to satisfactory results for natural forests in complex environments.In this paper,we propose a trunk-growth(TG)method for single-tree point-cloud segmentation,and apply this method to the natural forest scenes of Shangri-La City in Northwest Yunnan,China.First,the point normal vector and its Z-axis component are used as trunk-growth constraints.Then,the points surrounding the trunk are searched to account for regrowth.Finally,the nearest distributed branch and leaf points are used to complete the individual tree segmentation.The results show that the TG method can effectively segment individual trees with an average F-score of 0.96.The proposed method applies to many types of trees with various growth shapes,and can effectively identify shrubs and herbs in complex scenes of natural forests.The promising outcomes of the TG method demonstrate the key advantages of combining plant morphology theory and LiDAR technology for advancing and optimizing forestry systems.

Natural forests in New Zealand–a large terrestrial carbon pool in a national state of equilibrium

Background:Natural forests cover approximately 29%of New Zealand’s landmass and represent a large terrestrial carbon pool.In 2002 New Zealand implemented its first representative plot-based natural forest inventory to assess carbon stocks and stock changes in these mostly undisturbed old-growth forests.Although previous studies have provided estimates of biomass or carbon stocks,these were either not fully representative or lacked data from important pools such as dead wood(coarse woody debris).The current analysis provides the most complete estimates of carbon stocks and stock changes in natural forests in New Zealand.Results:We present estimates of per hectare carbon stocks and stock changes in live and dead organic matter pools excluding soil carbon based on the first two measurement cycles of the New Zealand Natural Forest Inventory carried out from 2002 to 2014.These show that New Zealand’s natural forests are in balance and are neither a carbon source nor a carbon sink.The average total carbon stock was 227.0±14.4 tC·ha^(−1)(95%C.I.)and did not change significantly in the 7.7 years between measurements with the net annual change estimated to be 0.03±0.18 tC·ha^(−1)·yr^(−1).There was a wide variation in carbon stocks between forest groups.Regenerating forest had an averaged carbon stock of only 53.6±9.4 tC·ha^(−1) but had a significant sequestration rate of 0.63±0.25 tC·ha^(−1)·yr^(−1),while tall forest had an average carbon stock of 252.4±15.5 tC·ha^(−1),but its sequestration rate did not differ significantly from zero(−0.06±0.20 tC·ha^(−1)·yr^(−1)).The forest alliance with the largest average carbon stock in above and below ground live and dead organic matter pools was silver beech-red beech-kamahi forest carrying 360.5±34.6 tC·ha^(−1).Dead wood and litter comprised 27%of the total carbon stock.Conclusions:New Zealand’s Natural Forest Inventory provides estimates of carbon stocks including estimates for difficult to measure pools such as dead wood and roots.It also provides estimates of uncertainties including effects of model prediction error and sampling variation between plots.Importantly it shows that on a national level New Zealand’s natural forests are in balance.Nevertheless,this is a nationally important carbon pool that requires continuous monitoring to identify potential negative or positive changes.

Models and form factors for stand volume estimation in natural forest ecosystems: a case study of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KGWS), Bahraich District, India

In view of the difficulties in stand volume estimation in natural forests, we derived real form factors and models for volume estimation in these types of forest ecosystems, using Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary as a case study. Tree growth data were obtained for all trees （dbh 〉10 cm） in 4 plots （25 × 25 m） randomly located in each of three strata selected in the forest. The form factor calculated for the stand was 0.42 and a range of 0.42 0.57 was estimated for selected species （density 〉10）. The parameters of model variables were consistent with general growth trends of trees and each was statistically significant. There was no significant difference （p〉0.05） between the observed and predicted volumes for all models and there was very high correlation between observed and predicted volumes. The output of the performance statistics and the logical signs of the regression coefficients of the models demonstrated that they are useful for volume estimation with minimal error. Plotting the biases with respect to considerable regressor variables showed no meaningful and evident trend of bias values along with the independent variables. This showed that the models did not violate regression assumptions and there were no heteroscedacity or multiculnarity problems. We recommend use of the form factors and models in this ecosystem and in similar ones for stand and tree volume estimation.

Effectiveness of Nature Reserves for Natural Forests Protection in Tropical Hainan: a 20 Year Analysis

The establishment of nature reserves is a key approach for biodiversity conservation worldwide. However, there is a lack of unified methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of nature reserves, particularly in China, the world′s most populous nation supporting some of the most valuable biodiversity hotspots in the world. In this study, we conducted a long-term and large-scale analysis of the effectiveness of 20 of the earliest nature reserves established in Hainan Province, an island home to among the highest concentration of plants and animals in China. Remote sensing imagery from 1988, 1998, and 2008 were analyzed to investigate the temporal and spatial changes of natural forests in these nature reserves and surrounding areas. We also conducted transition matrix analysis and principle component analysis to identify the driving factors that affect the protection effectiveness of nature reserves. The results were as follows: 1) During the 20-year period from 1988 to 2008, natural forests coverage of the 20 studied nature reserves dropped 2.34 percentage points, whereas the natural forests coverage dropped 11.31 percentage points in a 0–5 km outside reserve buffer and 9.36 percentage points in a 5–10 km outside reserve buffer, indicating a significant inhibitory effect of the nature reserves on the loss of natural forests. 2) Natural forests coverage dropped in 60% of the studied nature reserves during the 20-year period, suggesting a poor protection effectiveness of these reserves, while the coverage proportion showed some increase(0%/yr–5%/yr) in other reserves. 3) Expansion of rubber and pulp forests as part of a booming economy were the main factors affecting the effectiveness of the nature reserves for conserving natural forests in Hainan Province. The results of this study provide an important empirical basis for the protection of natural forests in Hainan Province, which can be used as a blueprint for nature reserve evaluation in other places in China.

The Natural Forest Protection Program in China： A Contingent Valuation Study in Heilongjiang Province

In 1998, the Chinese Government implemented the NFPP （Natural Forest Protection Program）, which included logging restrictions, protected areas, replanting, and a range of other policies aimed at safeguarding the state of the country＇s forests and reducing the risk of erosion and flooding. A second phase of this program is currently being discussed. In this paper, contingent valuation is used to estimate the WTP （willingness to pay） for maintaining the program among the inhabitants in Heilongjiang Province in northern China. The results show that, even with fairly conservative assumptions, the aggregated WTP for maintaining the program for another five years is some 3.24 billion yuan per year. This can be compared with the current cost of the Program in the province, which is some 1.57 billion yuan per year.

Comparative regeneration status in a natural forest and enrichment plantations of Chittagong (south) forest division, Bangladesh

The natural regeneration of the tree species in pure natural forest stand and enrichment plantations of Baraitali Forest of Chittagong (South) Forest Division, Bangladesh was studied by stratified random quadrat method during April 2002 to November 2002. Totally 100 plots of 3 m X 3 m in size represents a total of 64 regenerating tree species from natural forest with an average seedlings of 24767/hm2, while only 40 regenerating tree species were recorded from enrichment plan-tations with an average seedlings of 18633/hm2. Maximum regeneration in natural forest was found with Castanopsis spp. (2200 seedlings/hm2) followed by Glochidion lanceolarium (2183 /hm2) whereas, in enrichment plantations maximum regen-eration was found with Dipterocarpus gracilis (2117/hm2) followed by Anogeissus acuminata (2000/hm2). For natural forest, highest relative density was found for Castanopsis spp (8.88%), relative frequency for Glochidion lanceolarium (7.36%), rela-tive abundance for Syzygium spp. (3.79%) and Importance Value Index were recorded with Glochidion lanceolarium (18.24%). The corresponding values for enrichment plantations were highest with Dipterocarpus gracilis (11.36%), Glochidion lanceo-larium (9.71%), Dipterocarpus gracilis (5.92%), Glochidion lanceolarium (23.32%) respectively. Stem per hectare of some common trees with their seedlings and saplings in both the natural stands and enrichment plantations showed that only Dip-terocarpus gracilis successfully recruited in both sites but recruitment was higher in natural forest. Like many other primary rain forests, the Baraitoli forest typically has both substantial seedlings and soil seed bank from which regeneration may occur. The naturally regenerated seedlings are quite dense but it could not reach the pole stage due to human interference.

Evaluation of natural forest regeneration as a part of land restoration in the Khentii massif,Mongolia

Forest stands in the semi-arid environment of northern Mongolia have an essential role in controlling ongoing desertification in the surrounding landscape.Over the last decade,the total forest area has decreased dramatically.The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of natural regeneration as an essential element for ensuring sustainability of these forests.Based on field measurements from 120 plots in six sites,our assessment tool revealed five qualitative categories of forest regeneration,allowing us to assess impacts of both grazing and environmental conditions on the regeneration process.Grazing is a crucial factor and adversely affects regeneration.For sites with relatively low grazing intensity,low soil moisture levels represent the main reason for reduced regeneration.The approach to classification proposed in this study allows for the identification and interpretation of stand conditions where natural regeneration has failed.This study provides an important foundation to inform decisionmaking related to land protection and restoration actions.Our findings could be used in comparative studies and,importantly,may aid further mapping of Mongolian forests.

Humus horizon development during natural forest succession process in the Polish Carpathians

As a result of socio-economic changes and land abandonment,the main ecological driver of the Carpathian landscape is the progression of the natural forest succession process.Thus,aspects of this process have become worthy of attention,especially in the context of carbon sequestration and the management of protected areas.Soil processes,especially within the topsoil,are some of the most susceptible to change,due to the accumulation of organic matter during such land-use transformations.The purposes of this study were to investigate the differences in topsoil development using the A Horizon Development Index(ADI)and to study the composition of humic substances and advanced organic matter humification in different land-use areas in selected Carpathian national parks,i.e.Bieszczady,Magura and Pieniny National Parks in southern Poland.Additionally,a goal of this study was to compare the ADI and the spectroscopic coefficients of humic substances as indicators of the degree of humus horizon shaping as well as advanced organic matter humification.In total,ten transects were selected,each consisting of three different land-use areas:semi-natural meadow,successional forest and old-growth forest.Soil colour was determined in fresh and air-dried samples using the Munsell colour chart.In air-dried soil samples p H,soil texture,total organic carbon and total nitrogen were measured.Humic substances were extracted and further characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy.The ADI confirmed the influence of natural forest succession on soil colour darkening and the development of the uppermost soil layer.Spectroscopic analyses of humic substances showed two different patterns depending on soil depth.In the 0–10 cm layer,natural forest succession reduced the rate of the humification process and decreased the degree of maturity of fulvic acids;in the 10–20 cm layer,it led to an increase in the rate of the humification process and a decrease in the content of humic and fulvic acids at the beginning of the transformation.The comparison of two different indicators of soil development–the ADI and the spectroscopic coefficients of humic substances(Q_(4/6),Q_(2/4),Q_(2/3),Δlog K)–indicated that these indexes are based on different features of soil and cannot be used interchangeably.