The effects of litter removal on soil properties in a Pinus caribaea stand were studied by comparing with a litter reserved stand.Results showed that the mean diameter at breast height(DBH) and mean tree height in the litter removal stand were 21% and 11% smaller than those in the litter reserved stand,respectively.Soil physical properties of the litter removal stand became poor due to litter removal with an increase of 5% in soil bulk density and decrease of 6%,7%,7%,10% and 4% in capillary porosity,non-capillary porosity,total porosity,capillary water and natural water content,respectively,and the contents of clay significantly decreased by 16%;After litter removal,the soil organic matter,total N,total P,total K,alkalized N and available K significantly decreased by 43%,64%,11%,40%,32% and 14.5%,respectively,and available P decreased by 2%;The number of bacteria decreased by 8%,and the numbers of fungi and actinomyces significantly decreased by 38% and 63%,respectively,and the activities of urease,acid phosphatase and catalase significantly decreased by 55%,69% and 72%,respectively.
