Spatiotemporal variation and correlation of soil enzyme activities and soil physicochemical properties in canopy gaps of the Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

The study of the heterogeneity soil enzyme activities at different sampling locations in canopy gaps will help understand influence mechanism on ecological processes. In this paper, we analyzed spatiotemporal variation and physicochemical properties (closed canopy, expanded edge, gap center) time (December, February, April, June, August, October) northern slope Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China. results showed that catalase, cellulase, sucrase, acid phosphatase were relatively high from June to October low December most higher closed than center. Soil urease activity was during December–February. temperature reached highest value June–August center October, December, February. water content significantly April other months. bulk density December. pH electrical conductivity months organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus generally canopy. Furthermore, played a leading role dynamic change activity. key factors affecting content, which governed by gaps. These provide important support for further understanding forest ecosystem management conservation Mountains.