Dynamic test device and method for researching in-situ cumulative decomposition of forest litters
By designing an experimental device with upper and lower frames, the synchronicity of forest litter accumulation and decomposition was simulated, solving the problem of large discrepancies between research results and real-world scenarios in existing technologies, and realizing accurate research on the dynamic characteristics of forest litter.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies make it difficult to simultaneously study the accumulation and decomposition process of forest litter in the field, and existing devices are unable to simulate the ecological processes of litter under natural conditions, resulting in a large discrepancy between research results and real-world scenarios.
Design an experimental device comprising upper and lower frames connected by a fixing frame and zipper assembly to simulate the synchronicity of litter accumulation and decomposition in forests. The frame is constructed using nylon mesh and rigid board to achieve in-situ dynamic study of litter.
This study enabled simultaneous research on the accumulation and decomposition processes of forest litter, accurately analyzed its dynamic characteristics, simplified the device structure, reduced the difficulty of carrying and installing it, and improved the accuracy and efficiency of the research.
Smart Images
Figure CN121633449A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an experimental apparatus and method for studying the dynamic in-situ cumulative decomposition of forest litter. Background Technology
[0002] Forest litter is an important component of forest ecosystems, participating in material cycling and energy conversion, and playing a crucial role in maintaining forest productivity and ecological functions. Therefore, the study of litter yield and quality, its accumulation process, and decomposition dynamics has become a vital research topic in forest ecology. In forest lands, litter continuously falls and accumulates while simultaneously decomposing; these two processes occur synchronously but differ in their location and timing, forming a complex process where accumulation and decomposition coexist.
[0003] Currently, field studies on forest litter accumulation and decomposition are largely conducted independently. Studies on litter accumulation mostly employ a single litter collection frame method at a certain height above the ground, while the most common methods for litter decomposition research use a combination of net bags and soil rings. Previous studies have revealed that the litter quantity, composition, and degree of decomposition are not necessarily in situ within the forest floor, making it difficult to accurately represent the complexity of the accumulation and decomposition processes in real-world scenarios, and the impact of accumulation on decomposition. Consequently, experimental results fail to accurately reflect the actual changes in forest litter. To date, there are no in-situ experimental devices or methods for studying forest litter accumulation and decomposition, hindering research on the synchronous process of actual forest litter accumulation and decomposition, and making it difficult to accurately analyze the dynamic processes of forest litter formation and transformation. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems by providing a device and method for studying the dynamic in-situ accumulation and decomposition of forest litter. Through the combination of upper and lower frames, it simulates the dynamic process of simultaneous accumulation and decomposition of litter in a natural forest environment, while preserving the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of forest litter under natural conditions. This allows for the study of the dynamic characteristics of the in-situ accumulation process of forest litter, simulating the positional and temporal sequence of litter ecological processes under natural conditions. It also enables simultaneous locational studies of the dynamic changes in the accumulation and decomposition processes of forest litter, accurately analyzing the formation and transformation processes of forest litter.
[0005] The present invention is constructed as follows: it includes a fixed frame and an upper frame and a lower frame respectively disposed on the upper and lower parts of the fixed frame. The upper frame is used for collecting litter and can realize dynamic research on litter production. The lower frame is used for simulating in-situ litter decomposition and can realize dynamic research on litter decomposition. Both the upper frame and the lower frame include multiple frame sides and a frame bottom disposed at the bottom of the multiple frame sides. The frame bottom is connected to a portion of the frame sides by a zipper assembly to facilitate easy opening of the frame bottom.
[0006] Furthermore, the fixing frame includes multiple fixing rods, and tubular frame corner sleeves are provided on the periphery of both the upper and lower frame bodies, and the tubular frame corner sleeves are respectively inserted and engaged with the fixing rods.
[0007] Furthermore, the bottom of the frame is made of nylon mesh A.
[0008] Furthermore, the nylon mesh A has a mesh size of 0.15 mm.
[0009] Furthermore, the frame edge includes a rigid plate and nylon mesh B respectively disposed on the inner and outer sides of the rigid plate.
[0010] Furthermore, the nylon mesh B has a mesh size of 0.15 mm and a rigid plate thickness of 1.5 mm.
[0011] Furthermore, the lower end of the fixing rod is a pointed end.
[0012] Furthermore, the zipper assembly includes a zipper tape A disposed on the bottom of the frame and a zipper tape B disposed on the side of the frame. Zipper tape A and zipper tape B cooperate with each other, and a zipper head is provided between zipper tape A and zipper tape B.
[0013] Furthermore, a test method for studying the dynamic in-situ cumulative decomposition of forest litter includes the following steps: (1) Weighing the upper and lower frames, then unfolding the upper and lower frames and zipping up their bottom zipper components to form two square frames; (2) In the sample plot location where the study is conducted, according to the frame size, inserting the pointed ends of the four fixing rods of the fixing frame deep into the forest soil; (3) Measuring the litter thickness in the forest soil of the same size area directly below the lower frame within the four fixing rods, preserving as much as possible. The original state of litter in the forest land is maintained. The litter in the sample plot is divided into an upper undecomposed layer and a lower semi-decomposed layer. The undecomposed layer and the semi-decomposed layer are taken out, sorted and weighed respectively. The weight of each component of the litter at the beginning, as well as the thickness and weight of the decomposed and semi-decomposed litter, are recorded. Then, the semi-decomposed litter in the lower layer is evenly transferred to the bottom of the lower frame. Then, the undecomposed litter in the upper layer is evenly covered on top of the semi-decomposed litter to simulate the position of the litter on the forest land. (4) The four tubular corners of the lower frame containing the existing litter in the forest land are covered with Insert the corresponding fixing rod. At this time, the position of the fixing rod can be adjusted to match the position of the tubular frame corner sleeve. Then tap the upper end of the fixing rod to ensure that the fixing rod penetrates the soil to a consistent depth and is stable and does not shake. At the same time, ensure that the bottom of the lower frame is in close contact with the soil. (5) Put the tubular frame corner sleeve of the upper frame into the fixing rod and fix it. (6) According to the research period, take out the upper frame and the lower frame along the fixing rod. Sort, weigh and measure the litter collected in the upper frame and the frame. Measure the thickness of the litter in the lower frame and the frame according to the degree of decomposition. Sorting, weighing, and measuring can be used to study the accumulation characteristics and decomposition features of litter; (7) After weighing the lower frame containing litter, put it back into the fixed rod and move it to the ground. Then put the upper frame back into the fixed rod and move the upper frame to the upper part of the lower frame. Then open the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame so that all the litter collected in the upper frame is transferred to the top of the original litter in the lower frame. Finally, close the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame and move it back to the top of the fixed rod for fixation. Then the field monitoring for the next period can be carried out.
[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages: The device is simple in structure, lightweight, durable, reliable, inexpensive, portable, and easy to install. It can simulate the positional and temporal sequence of litter ecological processes under natural conditions, simultaneously conduct locational studies on the dynamic changes in the accumulation and decomposition of forest litter, accurately analyze the formation and transformation processes of forest litter, and the upper and lower frame combinations of this invention simulate the synchronicity of litter accumulation and decomposition under natural conditions in forests, while preserving the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of forest litter under natural conditions. This enables the study of the dynamic characteristics of the in-situ accumulation process of forest litter. The method is easy to operate and has excellent results. It can accurately simulate the ecological processes of "new fall and old decomposition" at the location of litter fall and decomposition in natural wild conditions, the positional sequence at overlapping locations, and the synchronicity of the occurrence process. It can simulate the litter yield and accumulation process in forest land in situ and the decomposition dynamics under litter accumulation. It can realize in-situ, continuous, and synchronous multi-indicator monitoring and research of forest litter. It solves the complexity of existing forest litter accumulation and decomposition synchronous processes. At the same time, it solves the problems of complicated experimental devices for synchronous research on multi-indicator forest litter in the field, such as inconvenience of carrying, cumbersome installation, and large deviation between monitoring and reality. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is an overall perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lower frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the folding of the lower frame in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the folding of the upper frame in an embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: 1-Fixing rod; 2-Lower frame; 3-Upper frame; 4-Lower tubular frame corner sleeve; 5-Upper tubular frame corner sleeve; 6-Frame edge; 7-Frame bottom; 8-Zipper tape A; 9-Zipper tape B; 10-Zipper head; 11-Nylon mesh B; 12-Rigid board. Detailed Implementation
[0016] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0017] Example: Refer to Appendix Figure 1-7As shown, a dynamic experimental device for studying the in-situ cumulative decomposition of forest litter is provided, including a fixed frame and an upper frame 3 and a lower frame 4 respectively disposed on the upper and lower parts of the fixed frame. The upper frame is used for litter collection, which can realize the dynamic study of litter yield. The lower frame is used for simulating in-situ litter decomposition, which can realize the dynamic study of litter decomposition. The upper frame and the lower frame each include four frame sides 6 and a frame bottom 7 disposed at the bottom of the four frame sides. The frame bottom and the four frame sides are connected to form a storage space. The frame bottom is connected to a portion of the frame sides by a zipper assembly to facilitate easy opening of the frame bottom.
[0018] The lower frame is perpendicular to the upper frame and is placed against the woodland below, allowing for the study of litter accumulation and decomposition.
[0019] This device is installed on the ground in a forest. The upper frame collects litter, allowing monitoring of the litter accumulation process. The lower frame monitors the amount of litter decomposition by measuring the weight difference between two litter collections and the amount of litter transferred from the upper frame. It also preserves the natural distribution characteristics of litter, enabling the study of the dynamic characteristics of the natural litter decomposition process. The combination of the upper and lower frames in this invention simulates the synchronicity of litter accumulation and decomposition in a forest under natural conditions, and preserves the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of forest litter under natural conditions, thus enabling the study of the dynamic characteristics of the in-situ accumulation and decomposition of forest litter.
[0020] In this embodiment of the invention, the fixing frame includes four fixing rods 1. Tubular corner sleeves are provided on the periphery of the upper frame and the lower frame. The tubular corner sleeves have insertion holes in the middle. The tubular corner sleeves are respectively inserted and cooperated with the fixing rods. Specifically, upper tubular corner sleeves 5 are provided at the four corners of the upper frame, and lower tubular corner sleeves 4 are provided at the four corners of the lower frame.
[0021] Four tubular frame corner sleeves are provided, which are located at the four corners of the upper or lower frame and cooperate with four fixing rods respectively, so as to facilitate the installation and disassembly of the upper and lower frame and facilitate the in-situ measurement of debris inside the frame.
[0022] In this embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the frame is nylon mesh A.
[0023] In this embodiment of the invention, the mesh size of the nylon mesh A is 0.15 mm.
[0024] In this embodiment of the invention, the frame edge includes a rigid plate and nylon mesh B11 disposed on the inner and outer sides of the rigid plate; the rigid plate may be a rigid plastic plate.
[0025] The upper and lower frames are made of four independent rigid boards along the four sides and have a three-sided zipper at the bottom, which makes it easy to fold the upper and lower frames into a single unit, making them convenient to carry and saving space.
[0026] In this embodiment of the invention, the nylon mesh B has a mesh size of 0.15 mm and a rigid plate thickness of 1.5 mm.
[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, the bottom dimensions of the upper and lower frames can be 100cm × 100cm, and the height of the upper and lower frame sides can be 15cm.
[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, the lower end of the fixing rod is a pointed end.
[0029] In this embodiment of the invention, the fixing pole can be made of rigid PVC pipe, which is easy to carry and install in the woodland; the diameter of the fixing pole can be 25mm and the length can be 80cm. When in use, the tip of the fixing pole is inserted into the woodland about 20-25cm.
[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the zipper assembly includes a zipper tape A8 disposed on the bottom of the frame and a zipper tape B9 disposed on the side of the frame. Zipper tape A and zipper tape B cooperate with each other, and a zipper head 10 is provided between zipper tape A and zipper tape B.
[0031] When the four frame sides and one frame bottom are combined to form a square frame, one side of one of the frame sides is fixed to one side of the frame bottom, and the other three frame sides are detachably connected to the other three sides of the frame sides via a zipper assembly.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, a test method for studying the dynamic test device for in-situ cumulative decomposition of forest litter includes the following steps: (1) Weighing the upper frame and the lower frame, then unfolding the upper frame and the lower frame and pulling up the zipper assembly at their bottom to form two square frames; (2) In the sample plot location where the study is conducted, according to the size of the frame, inserting the pointed ends of the four fixing rods of the fixing frame deep into the forest soil; (3) Measuring the thickness of litter in the forest soil with the same size area as the area directly below the lower frame within the four fixing rods, and keeping the litter in the forest soil as much as possible. In the original state, the litter in the sample plot is divided into an upper undecomposed layer and a lower semi-decomposed layer. The undecomposed layer and the semi-decomposed layer are taken out, sorted, and weighed respectively. The weight of each component of the litter at the beginning, as well as the thickness and weight of the decomposed and semi-decomposed litter, are recorded. Then, the semi-decomposed litter in the lower layer is evenly transferred to the bottom of the lower frame, and the undecomposed litter in the upper layer is evenly covered on top of the semi-decomposed litter to simulate the position of the litter on the forest land; (4) The four tubular corners of the lower frame containing the existing litter in the forest land are fitted onto the corresponding fixed rods. At this time, the position of the fixed rods can be adjusted. (5) Fit the tubular frame corner sleeve into the position of the upper frame, and then tap the upper end of the fixing rod to ensure that the fixing rod penetrates into the soil to a consistent depth and is stable and does not shake. At the same time, ensure that the bottom of the lower frame is in close contact with the soil. (6) Fit the tubular frame corner sleeve of the upper frame into the fixing rod and fix it. (7) According to the research period, take out the upper frame and the lower frame along the fixing rod. Sort, weigh and measure the litter collected in the upper frame and the frame. Sort, weigh and measure the thickness of the litter in the lower frame and the frame according to the degree of decomposition. Then the accumulation characteristics and decomposition characteristics of litter can be obtained. Research; (7) First, put the lower frame containing litter back into the fixed rod and move it to the ground after weighing. Then, put the upper frame back into the fixed rod and move the upper frame to the top of the lower frame. Then, open the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame so that all the litter collected in the upper frame is transferred to the top of the original litter in the lower frame. Finally, close the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame and move it back to the top of the fixed rod for fixation. Then, the field monitoring for the next period can be carried out; (8) After entering the next period of measurement, the measurement method repeats the measurement process of steps (6) and (7) above. Then, based on the difference in the amount of litter before and after the lower frame and the amount of litter transferred from the upper frame to the lower frame, the litter decomposition characteristics of the litter accumulation process can be analyzed.
[0033] The process involves weighing the litter collected in the upper frame and within the frame, measuring the thickness of the litter within the frame, and recording the weight of the upper frame plus the weight of the litter collected in the upper frame at each stage. The weight of the upper frame minus the weight of the upper frame equals the weight of the litter in the upper frame, which represents the litter yield for each time period. This yield and its cumulative dynamic characteristics are then analyzed. Furthermore, litter samples are taken, sorted, and measured within the upper frame at different time periods to analyze the physical, chemical, and biological dynamic characteristics of the litter. Similarly, the weight of the lower frame and the litter collected in the lower frame is also recorded at each stage.
[0034] The process involves measuring the thickness, composition, weight, and quantity of litter to calculate the stage-by-stage decomposition of litter. The weight of litter in the previous stage (the litter yield of the previous stage + the weight of litter collected in the lower frame + the litter collected in the frame) minus the weight of litter in the current stage (the litter in the lower frame + the litter collected in the frame) is the amount of litter decomposed in the current stage. The dynamic characteristics of litter decomposition are also analyzed, and litter samples are taken and measured at different times to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the litter decomposition process.
[0035] Unless otherwise stated, if any technical solution disclosed in this invention discloses a numerical range, then the disclosed numerical range is a preferred numerical range. Anyone skilled in the art should understand that the preferred numerical range is merely a range of numerical values among many implementable values that have a more obvious or representative technical effect. Because there are many numerical values, it is impossible to list them all. Therefore, this invention discloses only some numerical values to illustrate the technical solutions of this invention. Furthermore, the numerical values listed above should not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention.
[0036] If the terms "first" or "second" are used in this document to specify components, those skilled in the art should know that the use of "first" or "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing components in description, and unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning.
[0037] Meanwhile, if the present invention discloses or relates to mutually fixedly connected parts or structural components, then unless otherwise stated, fixed connection can be understood as: a fixed connection that can be detached (e.g., using bolts or screws), or a fixed connection that cannot be detached (e.g., riveting, welding). Of course, mutually fixed connections can also be replaced by an integral structure (e.g., manufactured by integral molding using a casting process) (except where it is obviously impossible to use an integral molding process).
[0038] In addition, unless otherwise stated, the terms used in any of the technical solutions disclosed in this invention to indicate positional relationships or shapes include states or shapes that are similar to, close to, or approximate with those states or shapes.
[0039] Any component provided by this invention can be assembled from multiple individual components or can be a single component manufactured by a one-piece molding process.
[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the specific implementation of the present invention or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the spirit of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the technical solutions claimed in the present invention.
Claims
1. A device for studying the in-situ cumulative decomposition dynamics of forest litter, characterized in that, The fixed frame comprises an upper frame body and a lower frame body arranged on the upper and lower parts of the fixed frame respectively, the upper frame body is used for collecting litter and can realize dynamic study of litter yield, the lower frame body is used for simulating decomposition of in-situ litter and can realize dynamic study of decomposition of litter, the upper frame body and the lower frame body each comprise a plurality of frame edges and a frame bottom arranged at the bottom of the frame edges, and the frame bottom is connected with part of the frame edges through a zipper assembly, so as to facilitate opening of the frame bottom.
2. The device for studying the in-situ accumulation and decomposition dynamics of forest litter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed frame comprises a plurality of fixed rods, and the upper frame body and the lower frame body are each provided with a tubular frame corner sleeve on the circumferential side, and the tubular frame corner sleeve is respectively inserted and matched with the fixed rod.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The frame bottom is nylon screen A.
4. The device for studying the in-situ accumulation and decomposition dynamics of forest litter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The yarn hole aperture of the nylon screen A is 0.15 mm.
5. The device for studying the in-situ accumulation and decomposition dynamics of forest litter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame edge comprises a hard plate and nylon screen B arranged on the inner and outer surfaces of the hard plate respectively.
6. The device for studying the in-situ accumulation and decomposition dynamics of forest litter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The yarn hole aperture of the nylon screen B is 0.15 mm, and the thickness of the hard plate is 1.5 mm.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The lower end of the fixed rod is a pointed end.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The zipper assembly comprises a zipper strip A arranged on the frame bottom and a zipper strip B arranged on the frame edge, the zipper strip A is matched with the zipper strip B, and a zipper head is arranged between the zipper strip A and the zipper strip B.
9. A test method using the test device for studying the in-situ accumulation and decomposition dynamics of forest litter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: (1) weighing the upper frame and the lower frame, then unfolding the upper frame and the lower frame and pulling the zipper assembly at the bottom of the frames to form two square frames; (2) inserting the pointed ends of the four fixing rods of the fixing frame into the forest soil according to the size of the frame at the sample site; (3) measuring the litter thickness in the forest soil with the same size area below the lower frame, keeping the original state of the litter in the forest as much as possible, and separating the litter in the sample site into the upper undecomposed layer and the lower semi-decomposed layer, and weighing and recording the weight of each component of the initial litter, the thickness and weight of the decomposed and semi-decomposed litter, then transferring the semi-decomposed litter in the lower layer to the bottom of the lower frame, and covering the undecomposed litter in the upper layer on the semi-decomposed litter; (4) sleeving the four tubular frame corners of the lower frame containing the existing litter in the forest on the corresponding fixing rods, adjusting the positions of the fixing rods to match the positions of the tubular frame corners, then knocking the upper end of the fixing rod to ensure that the fixing rod is deeply and stably inserted into the soil, and ensuring that the bottom of the lower frame is in close contact with the soil; (5) sleeving the tubular frame corners of the upper frame on the fixing rods; (6) taking out the upper frame and the lower frame along the fixing rods according to the research period, sorting, weighing and measuring the litter in the upper frame, and measuring the thickness, sorting, weighing and measuring the litter in the lower frame according to the decomposition degree, so as to study the accumulation characteristics of the litter and the decomposition characteristics of the litter; (7) sleeving the lower frame containing the litter after being weighed back on the fixing rods and moving the lower frame to the ground, sleeving the upper frame on the fixing rods, moving the upper frame to the upper part of the lower frame, opening the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame, transferring the litter collected in the upper frame to the upper part of the original litter in the lower frame, and finally closing the zipper assembly at the bottom of the upper frame and moving the upper frame to the upper end of the fixing rods, so as to carry out the field monitoring in the next period.