Long-term intensive forest management ultimately leads to imbalances in soil nutrient and extracellular enzyme...

Long-term intensive forest management ultimately leads to imbalances in soil nutrient and extracellular enzyme stoichiometry, making it crucial to understand microbially mediated nutrient cycling for sustainable practices. We investigated Carya cathayensis forests under three management intensities-no management (CK), extensive management (EM, annual understory clearance), and intensive management (IM, biannual understory clearance with fertilization)-implemented for five durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years). Management duration primarily drove changes in soil properties and enzyme activities, with intensified management amplifying these effects. Under IM, sucrase and β-1,4-glucosidase activities initially increased then declined, while acid phosphatase activity showed a similar trend. EM resulted in higher urease and protease activities than IM. Overall, microbial carbon and phosphorus were severely limited, particularly under prolonged IM. These findings suggest that retaining understory vegetation and applying phosphorus and carbon fertilizers more frequently may help maintain soil ecological function under long-term intensive management.