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IntroductionSoil enzymes play a critical role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. However, the effects of forest gaps on soil enzyme activities remain uncertain.MethodsThis study aims to investigate the short-term effects of forest gap size on soil enzyme activities in Platycladus orientalis plantations. We conducted a study in a 50-year Platycladus orientalis plantation in Xuzhou, sampling soils from three levels of forest gap size (4 m radius, S; 8 m radius, M and 12 m radius, L) at different positions (within gap, edge, and outside the gap) and control plots (CK, no gaps) 2a after the creation of gaps. Soil peroxidase, dehydrogenase, urease, and invertase activities were measured.ResultsSpecifically, we found that M and S gaps had significantly (p p p p ConclusionOur findings highlight the significant impact of canopy gaps on soil enzyme activities, which has important implications for forest management and conservation.