Carbon storage in agroforestry systems in the semi-arid zone of Niayes,Senegal

Agroforestry is an ancient practice widespread throughout Africa. However, the influence of Sahelian agroforestry systems on carbon storage in soil and biomass remains poorly understood. We evaluated the carbon storage potential of three agroforestry systems (fallow, parkland and rangeland) and five tree species (Faidherbia albida, Acacia raddiana, Neocarya macrophylla, Balanites aegyptiaca and Euphorbia balsamifera) growing on three different soils (clay, sandy loam and sandy) in the Niayes zone, Senegal. We calculated tree biomass carbon stocks using allometric equations and measured soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks at four depths (0–20, 20–50, 50–80 and 80–100 cm). F. albida and A. raddiana stored the highest amount of carbon in their biomass. Total biomass carbon stocks were greater in the fallow (40 Mg C ha^?1) than in parkland (36 Mg C ha^?1) and rangeland (29 Mg C ha^?1). More SOC was stored in the clay soil than in the sandy loam and sandy soils. On average across soil texture, SOC stocks were greater in fallow (59 Mg C ha^?1) than in rangeland (30 Mg C ha^?1) and parkland (15 Mg C ha^?1). Overall, the total amount of carbon stored in the soil + plant compartments was the highest in fallow (103 Mg C ha^?1) followed by rangeland (68 Mg C ha^?1) and parkland (52 Mg C ha^?1). We conclude that in the Niayes zones of Senegal, fallow establishment should be encouraged and implemented on degraded lands to increase carbon storage and restore soil fertility.     

Soil organic carbon and aggregation under poplar based agroforestry system in relation to tree age and soil type

The poplar based agroforestry system improves aggregation of soil through huge amounts of organic matter in the form of leaf biomass. The extent of improvement may be affected by the age of the poplar trees and the soil type. The surface and subsurface soil samples from agroforestry and adjoining non-agroforestry sites with different years of poplar plantation (1, 3 and 6 years) and varying soil textures (loamy sand and sandy clay) were analyzed for soil organic carbon, its sequestration and aggregate size distribution. The average soil organic carbon increased from 0.36 in sole crop to 0.66% in agroforestry soils. The increase was higher in loamy sand than sandy clay. The soil organic carbon increased with increase in tree age. The soils under agroforestry had 2.9–4.8 Mg ha⁻¹ higher soil organic carbon than in sole crop. The poplar trees could sequester higher soil organic carbon in 0–30 cm profile during the first year of their plantation (6.07 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) than the subsequent years (1.95–2.63 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The sandy clay could sequester higher carbon (2.85 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) than in loamy sand (2.32 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates increased by 3.2, 7.3 and 13.3 times in soils with 1, 3 and 6 years plantation, respectively from that in sole crop. The increase in MWD with agroforestry was higher in loamy sand than sandy clay soil. The water stable aggregates (WSA >0.25 mm) increased by 14.4, 32.6 and 56.9 times in soils with 1, 3 and 6 years plantation, respectively, from that in sole crop. The WSA >0.25 mm were 6.02 times higher in loamy sand and 2.2 times in sandy clay than in sole crop soils.     

Rhizosphere and bulk soil enzyme activities in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothotsuga longibracteata</Emphasis> forest in the Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve,Fujian Province,China

The rhizosphere, distinct from bulk soil, is defined as the volume of soil around living roots and influenced by root activities. We investigated protease, invertase, cellulase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities in rhizosphere and bulk soils of six Nothotsuga longibracteata forest communities within Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve, including N. longibracteata + either Phyllostachys pubescens, Schima superba, Rhododendron simiarum, Cunninghamia lanceolata, or Cyclobalanopsis glauca, and N. longibracteata pure forest. Rhizosphere soils possessed higher protease, invertase, cellulase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities than bulk soils. The highest invertase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities were observed in rhizosphere samples of N. longibracteata + S. superba. Protease was highest in the N. longibracteata + R. simiarum rhizosphere, while cellulase was highest in the pure N. longibracteata forest rhizosphere. All samples exhibited obvious rhizosphere effects on enzyme activities with a significant linear correlation between acid phosphatase and cellulase activities (p < 0.05) in rhizosphere soils and between protease and acid phosphatase activities (p < 0.05) in bulk soils. A principal component analysis, correlating 13 soil chemical properties indices relevant to enzyme activities, showed that protease, invertase, acid phosphatase, total N, and cellulase were the most important variables impacting rhizosphere soil quality.     

Determination of the optimal rotation age: A theoretical analysis

This paper systematically analyzes the problem of the determination of the optimal rotation age. Using the land expectation value model, it shows that at the optimal rotation age $\text{t}{}^1$, the marginal revenue product (MRP) of letting the stand grow one more year must equal the marginal input cost (MIC) of doing so. The relationships between regeneration cost (C), interest rate (r), stumpage price level P(t) and the optimal rotation age are then analyzed graphically. The relationships between the land expectation value model, the present net worth model, the forest rent model and the traditional biological model are also examined. It is shown that the last three models are special cases of the land expectation value model.     

Evaluation of coastal sandy soils and their saline ground waters for afforestation: A case study from India

A study was conducted in coastal Andhra Pradesh to evaluate current practices and suitability of coastal sandy soils for raising tree plantations. Poor soil moisture retention characteristics of these soils make irrigation an essential, but costly silvicultural practice for obtaining desirable establishment and growth. Saline ground water is the only available source of irrigation. Its use seems safe and successful in such soils. The farmers have adopted a specialized manual splashing technique (Doruvu) of seepage pits for irrigating tree plantations in their establishment phase. This technique was observed to be well suited to the sandy soils. Casuarina equisetifolia and Eucalyptus tereticornis were the two most popular species being afforested. E. camaldulensis is also in an introduction phase. Comparison of growth performance and biomass accumulation by C. equisetifolia and E. tereticornis plantations at different growth stages showed the former to be significantly better than the latter. Build up of the soil organic carbon was also found to be markedly more in comparable C. equisetifolia plantations than those of E. tereticornis. Similarly, the blanketing influence of C. equisetifolia plantations was observed to modify soil temperature extremes considerably more than in the case of E. tereticornis. The findings, indicated a vast scope for utilization of coastal sandy soils for afforestation with the successful use of saline ground waters.     

Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Context

Nowadays, harvest operations are predominantly performed fully mechanized using heavy tractors or forestry machines. The resulting soil compaction may negatively affect the soil ecosystem.

Aims

We wanted to draw general conclusions concerning the impact of mechanized harvesting on forest soil bulk density and the influencing factors.

Method

Therefore, we combined the data of several studies using a meta-analysis approach.

Results

The impact decreased from the surface towards deeper soil layers. At 0?C10?cm depth, the impact on clayey soils was highest although not significantly different from the impact on sandy soils. Higher initial bulk densities, i.e., on already compacted forest soils, generally led to smaller extra increases of bulk density after machine traffic. For sandy soils, the impact was also significantly smaller when machines were lighter. No significant relationship was observed between the compaction degree and traffic intensity.

Conclusions

We observed clear compaction on both clayey and sandy soils, especially in case of low initial soil compaction degrees and heavy machines. The compacted initial state of many forest soils, the long recovery period, and the generally high impact of the first passes that is frequently mentioned in literature all count in favour of designated skid trails and an adjustment of the machine type to the job.