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Purpose <p>In the context of forest ecosystem function and soil health research, traditional forest soil health assessment methods that rely on single or limited indicators have become insufficient to address current research needs. Therefore, developing a comprehensive assessment indicator system has become a priority.</p> Methods <p>We developed an assessment framework incorporating 12 indicators via a structural equation model (SEM) to assess soil health status of natural coniferous-broadleaved mixed forests in the Changbai Mountains, China. First, assessment indicators were screened using a combination of previous research findings and principal component analysis. Subsequently, SEM was employed to determine the weights of assessment indicators and to quantify the direct and indirect relationships between topography, tree growth, and soil health status.</p> Results <p>The results revealed that the mean soil health index was 0.49, indicating overall sub-healthy (SHI = 0.4–0.6) soil conditions. Among the assessment components, nutrient cycling and supply played a central role in maintaining forest soil health. Topography exhibited a significant positive correlation with soil health status, whereas tree growth showed no significant direct effects.</p> Conclusion <p>Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and enzymatic activity were identified as key positive contributors to the SHI, whereas canopy density and stand density were recognized as potential limiting factors. Overall, this framework provides a useful reference for forest soil health assessment, but its broader application requires further validation and regional calibration across different forest types and environmental conditions.</p>

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Soil health assessment of natural coniferous-broadleaved mixed forests in the Changbai Mountains using structural equation modeling

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月2日

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  • Chen Mu,
  • Haiyan Wang,
  • Xue Cui,
  • Han Zhao,
  • Jiahe Zou

摘要

Purpose

In the context of forest ecosystem function and soil health research, traditional forest soil health assessment methods that rely on single or limited indicators have become insufficient to address current research needs. Therefore, developing a comprehensive assessment indicator system has become a priority.

Methods

We developed an assessment framework incorporating 12 indicators via a structural equation model (SEM) to assess soil health status of natural coniferous-broadleaved mixed forests in the Changbai Mountains, China. First, assessment indicators were screened using a combination of previous research findings and principal component analysis. Subsequently, SEM was employed to determine the weights of assessment indicators and to quantify the direct and indirect relationships between topography, tree growth, and soil health status.

Results

The results revealed that the mean soil health index was 0.49, indicating overall sub-healthy (SHI = 0.4–0.6) soil conditions. Among the assessment components, nutrient cycling and supply played a central role in maintaining forest soil health. Topography exhibited a significant positive correlation with soil health status, whereas tree growth showed no significant direct effects.

Conclusion

Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and enzymatic activity were identified as key positive contributors to the SHI, whereas canopy density and stand density were recognized as potential limiting factors. Overall, this framework provides a useful reference for forest soil health assessment, but its broader application requires further validation and regional calibration across different forest types and environmental conditions.