莲花山白盆珠自然保护区 3 种森林土壤养分含量比较

以莲花山白盘珠自然保护区针阔混交林、季风常绿阔叶林和山地常绿阔叶林表层土壤（0~20 cm）为对象,测定了土壤pH 值及主要养分含量,并应用相关分析法,探究了不同养分间的相关性。结 果表明：（1）山地常绿阔叶林土壤pH 值显著低于针阔混交林和季风常绿阔叶林;（2）森林土壤有机质、 全氮（N）、全磷（P）、速效N、有效P 含量在不同森林类型间差异显著：山地常绿阔叶林土壤有机质、 全 N、全P 显著高于针阔混交林和季风常绿阔叶林;针阔混交林土壤速效 N 含量最高,但有效 P 含量最 低;（ 3）3 种森林土壤全N 与全P 含量均存在极显著相关性,但其它养分间的相关性随森林类型而异, 表明森林类型对土壤养分的影响既有普遍性,又有特异性。     

浙江省常绿阔叶林凋落物特征研究

对浙江省常绿阔叶林18个样地的凋落物数量、组成、季节动态及土壤肥力相互关系进行分析,结果表明,常绿阔叶林幼龄林至成熟林的年凋落物量为1.47～2.71 t·hm-2·a-1,成熟林年凋落物量最大,幼龄林最少;叶片是森林凋落物的主要成分,枝、花果、皮、碎屑所占总量的比例较少;亚热带常绿阔叶林有明显的凋落节律,季节动态为双峰型;凋落物能明显改善土壤肥力,增加土壤有机质及全氮的含量,但与土壤全磷呈现负相关关系.     

Selective logging of lowland evergreen rainforests in Chiloé Island, Chile: Effects of changing tree species composition on soil nitrogen transformations

Lowland evergreen rainforests in southern Chile growing on highly productive soils and accessible sites have been subjected to traditional and industrial logging of valuable timber trees. Old-growth rain forests in this area are characterized by highly conservative N cycles, which results in an efficient N use of ecosystems. We hypothesize that different logging practices, by changing forest structure and species composition, can alter the quantity and quality (i.e. C/N ratio) of litterfall and soil organic matter and soil microbial processes that determine N storage and availability. To test this hypothesis we investigated chemical properties, microbial N transformations, N fluxes and N storage in soils of lowland evergreen rainforests of Chiloé Island after 10 years since industrial selective logging (ISL) and in stands subjected to traditional selective logging (TSL) by landowners in small properties. We compared them to reference unlogged old-growth stands (OG) in the same area. Tree basal area was more reduced in the stands subjected to ISL than to TSL. Litterfall inputs were similar in both logging treatments as in OG stands. This was due to greater biomass of understory species after logging. In TSL understory tree species determined a higher litterfall C/N ratio than ISL. We found higher soil N availability and content of base cations in surface soils of logged forests than in OG. The litter horizon of OG forest had significantly higher rates of non-symbiotic N fixation than logged forests. In the ISL treatment there was a trend toward increasing soil denitrification and significantly higher NO₃–N/N_t ratio in spring waters, which led to a stronger δ¹⁵N signal in surface and deep soils. We conclude that massive understory occupation by the shade-intolerant native bamboo Chusquea quila in ISL led to enhanced litter quality (lower C/N ratios) relaxing the tightness of the N cycle, which increased soil N availability leading to a higher proportion of nitrate in spring waters and higher gaseous N losses. In contrast, under TSL a higher litterfall C/N ratio slowed decomposition and net N mineralization rates thus reducing the chances for N losses, and enhancing C and N storage in soil. We suggest that sustainable logging practices in these rain forests should be based on lower rates of canopy removal to enhance colonization of the understory by shade-tolerant trees, which are associated with a more efficient N cycle.     

高黎贡山南段2种森林类型的土壤特性研究

对设于高黎贡山自然保护区南段中山湿性常绿阔叶林的5块样地和季风常绿阔叶林3块样地的土壤进行了调查研究,结果表明:2种森林类型主要有黄红壤、黄壤、黄棕壤、棕壤4种土壤。样地土壤的有机质等养分含量丰富,而土壤盐基饱和度较低。中山湿性常绿阔叶林样地的土壤养分含量、阳离子交换量明显高于季风常绿阔叶林。2块中山湿性常绿阔叶林样地的土壤总孔隙度大于50%,通透性尚好,其余样地土壤通透性稍差,样地土壤的交换性能较好。     

Nutrients in litterfall,forest floor and mineral soils in two adjacent forest ecosystems in Greece

The fluxes of masses and the nutrients Ca,Mg,K,N,P and S were determined in the litterfall of two adjacent forest ecosystems of Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto L.)and European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)in a mountainous area of northeastern Greece in 2010–2015.The foliar litterfall for both species reached about 70%of the total litterfall,and was significantly higher from the other two fractions(woody and rest litterfall).The fluxes of masses and nutrients were compared between ecosystems for each fraction separately.Only one significant statistical difference was found,that of K in the woody litterfall.In addition,the stocks of masses and nutrients were calculated in the forest floors and mineral soils of the two ecosystems.Likewise,the stocks of nutrients in the forest floors and mineral soils were compared between ecosystems.In the L horizon of the forest floors,statistical differences,as a result of species effect,were found for the stocks of Ca and N.In the FH horizons,the masses and all the nutrient stocks differed significantly,as the beech plot had much higher quantities of organic matter and nutrients.These higher quantities were probably due to low soil temperatures(microclimate)and high acidity in the beech plot(species effect)that slowed down decomposition.In the mineral soils,the propagation of random error derived from random errors of the individual soil layers was an important factor in the statistical comparisons.Because of the soil acidity in the beech plot,the stocks of exchangeable base cations were significantly higher in the oak plot,whereas the other nutrient stocks did not differ.     

不同森林类型土壤肥力状况研究

利用贵州天保工程效益监测网络设置在9个监测县和2个自然保护区的101个固定样地土壤分析结果,按常绿落叶阔叶林、常绿阔叶林、落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林、针叶林、针叶混交林、灌木林、竹林等8种不同森林植被类型在不同基岩发育的森林土壤中营养元素含量,对不同森林土壤的综合肥力进行分析评价。结果显示,不同森林植被类型的森林土壤的A层土中有机质、水解性氮、有效磷、速效钾等各项指标含量与森林植被类型呈正相关趋势且高于B层,B层土随不同基岩不同而有所变化,显示不同森林植被类型对土壤综合肥力的影响大于基岩;不同森林植被类型土壤的综合肥力大小顺序依次为:常绿落叶阔叶林>常绿阔叶林>针针混交林>落叶阔叶林>灌木林>针阔混交林>针叶林>竹类。     

自然侵入阔叶树对琉球松人工林碳素及氮素动态的影响

对日本冲绳岛北部相同土壤条件下的琉球松纯林及其混交林的土壤氮素及有机碳素、地表凋落物量、枯枝落叶量以及土壤氮素矿化速率进行了比较研究。结果表明 ,琉球松纯林的地表凋落物层氮、碳平均贮量分别为133kg·hm- 2 和 7199kg·hm- 2 ,混交林则分别为 10 5kg·hm- 2 和 6 14 3kg·hm- 2 。然而 ,混交林地表 10cm矿质土层的氮、碳贮量则显著高于纯林 ,氮素比纯林多 4 93kg·hm- 2 ,碳素多 5 5 5 4kg·hm- 2 。在 30d的实验室培养实验中 ,混交林表层土壤的氮素矿化速率高于纯林 18% ;而且 ,混交林的落叶和土壤的碳氮比值亦明显低于松纯林。混交林土壤的年平均矿化氮素 (NH4 NO3- )浓度高于纯林 2 2 %。与松纯林相比 ,混交林通过枯枝落叶年平均氮素归还量多 4 3 7kg·hm- 2 ,碳素归还量多 16 5 5kg·hm- 2 。混交林具有较高的氮素归还量 ,主要是混交林的针叶含氮含量较高以及大量的高含氮量的阔叶落叶所致。上述结果充分说明针阔混交导致了林分氮素循环的变化。     

C and N stocks under three plantation forest ecosystems of Chinese fir, Michelia macclurei and their mixture

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), a type of subtropical fast-growing conifer tree, is widely distributed in South China. Its plantation area covers more than 7 × 10⁶ hm², accounting for 24% of the total area of plantation forests in the country. In recent decades, the system of successive plantation of Chinese fir has been widely used in southern China due to anticipated high economic return. However, recent studies have documented that the practice of this system has led to dramatic decreases in soil fertility and forest environment as well as in productivity. Some forest ecologists and managers recognize the ecological role performed by broadleaf trees growing in mixtures with conifers, and a great deal of studies on mixture effects have been conducted, particularly on mixture species of temperate and boreal forests, but these research results were not completely consistent. Possibilities include dependence of the mixture effects in large part to specific site conditions, the interactions among species in mixtures and biological characteristics of species. Although some researchers also studied the effects of mixtures of Chinese fir and broadleaf tree species on soil fertility, forest environment and tree growth status, little information is available about the effects of Chinese fir and its mixtures with broadleaves on carbon and nitrogen stocks. The experimental site is situated at the Huitong Experimental Station of Forest Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan Province (26°40′–27°09′ N, 109°26′–110°08′ E). It is located at the transition zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the low mountains and hills of the southern bank of the Yangtze River at an altitude of 300–1,100 m above mean sea level. At the same time, the site is also a member of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This region has a humid mid-subtropical monsoon climate with a mean annual precipitation of 1,200–1,400 mm, most of the rain falling between April and August, and a mean temperature of 16.5°C with a mean minimum of 4.9°C in January and a mean maximum of 26.6°C in July. The experimental field has red-yellow soil. After a clear-cutting of the first generation Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation forest in 1982, three different plantation forest ecosystems, viz. mixture of Michelia macclurei and Chinese fir (MCM), pure Michelia macclurei stand (PMS) and pure Chinese fir stand (PCS), were established in the spring of 1983. A comparative study on C and N stocks under these three plantation forest ecosystems was conducted in 2004. Results showed that carbon stocks were greater under the mixtures than under the pure Chinese fir forest and the pure broad-leaved forest, and the broadleaves and the mixtures showed higher values in nitrogen stocks compared with the pure Chinese fir forest. The spatial distribution of carbon and nitrogen stocks was basically consistent, the value being greater in soil layer, followed by tree layer, roots, understory and litter layer. The carbon and nitrogen stocks in soil layer were both highly correlated with the biomass in understory and litter layer, indicating that understory and forest litterfall exerted a profound effect on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under plantation ecosystems. However, correlations among soil carbon, nitrogen stocks and below ground biomass of stand have not been observed in this study. Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(12): 3,146–3,154 [译自: 生态学报]     

中亚热带天然林改造成人工林后土壤呼吸的变化特征

【目的】研究中亚热带常绿阔叶林(天然林)改造成人工林后土壤碳排放量的变化及主要影响因子,为评估森林类型转换对土壤碳排放的影响提供科学依据。【方法】在福建农林大学西芹教学林场的常绿阔叶林及由其改造而来的38年生闽楠人工林与35年生杉木人工林中分别设置4块20 m×20 m样地,利用Li-8100土壤碳通量观测系统于2014年9月—2016年9月进行定点观测,并同期观测土壤温度、含水量、有机碳含量(SOC)、微生物生物量碳含量(MBC)、可溶性有机碳含量(DOC)、0～20 cm土层细根生物量和年凋落物量及凋落物碳氮比(C/N)。【结果】常绿阔叶林改造成闽楠(38年后)和杉木人工林(35年后),年均土壤碳排放通量由16. 22显著降为12. 71和4. 83 tC·hm^-2a^-1,分别减少21. 60%和70. 20%;各林分类型的土壤呼吸温度敏感性Q¹⁰值表现为常绿阔叶林(1. 97)<闽楠人工林(2. 03)<杉木人工林(2. 91),转换为杉木人工林后,Q¹⁰值显著升高(P<0. 05);土壤温度能分别解释常绿阔叶林、闽楠人工林与杉木人工林土壤呼吸速率变化的89. 70%、88. 50%和87. 90%,土壤呼吸速率和土壤含水量相关不显著(P>0. 05);土壤呼吸速率和SOC、MBC、DOC、年凋落物量及0～20 cm土层细根生物量均极显著正相关(P<0. 01);土壤呼吸温度敏感性指数Q¹⁰值和凋落物C/N极显著正相关(P<0. 01),而与年均土壤呼吸速率及MBC极显著负相关(P<0. 01);进一步分析发现土壤MBC和SOC含量是影响土壤呼吸速率的2个最重要因子,而凋落物C/N在影响土壤呼吸温度敏感性中的贡献最大。【结论】中亚热带地区常绿阔叶林改造成闽楠(38年)或杉木(35年)人工林后,土壤碳排放通量显著降低。林分类型转换后树种组成和林分结构发生改变,凋落物数量、质量及细根生物量显著降低,土壤SOC和MBC含量显著下降可共同导致土壤呼吸通量的下降。土壤温度是3种林分类型土壤呼吸季节变化的主导因素,而土壤总有机碳库和土壤微生物量碳库的差异是不同林分之间土壤呼吸差异的主导因素,凋落物C/N对土壤呼吸的Q¹⁰影响最大。为提高模型预测森林类型转换影响土壤碳排放的精度,应综合考虑土壤有机碳库、易变性有机碳库及底物质量的变化。     

卧龙自然保护区植物生长季节森林土壤水分状况

本文于1981－1984年植物生长季节对四川卧龙自然保护区森林土壤水分状况，进行了定位研究，试验林地设置在1200－4300m海拔高度的不同生物气候带的森林类型下。选择的五处试验林地是：①常绿阔叶林下的山地黄壤；②次生落叶阔叶林下的山地棕壤；③针阔混交林下的山地暗棕壤；④暗针叶林下的山地棕色暗针叶林土；⑤高山草甸植被下的高山草甸土。试验结果阐明了试验林地土壤的蓄水性能，枯枝落叶层最大蓄36-313t/ha，森林土壤的渗透系数在1．54－5．33mm/min，试验林地生长季节森林土壤水分贮量，都在最佳含水量下限以下，试验林地森林土壤水分供给（生态湿度）顺序为：山地棕色暗针叶林土（重湿）＞高山草甸土（重温）＞山地棕壤（湿）＞山地黄壤（较湿）＞山地暗棕壤（较湿一潮）。     

Carbon and nitrogen in forest floor and mineral soil under six common European tree species

The knowledge of tree species effects on soil C and N pools is scarce, particularly for European deciduous tree species. We studied forest floor and mineral soil carbon and nitrogen under six common European tree species in a common garden design replicated at six sites in Denmark. Three decades after planting the six tree species had different profiles in terms of litterfall, forest floor and mineral soil C and N attributes. Three groups were identified: (1) ash, maple and lime, (2) beech and oak, and (3) spruce. There were significant differences in forest floor and soil C and N contents and C/N ratios, also among the five deciduous tree species. The influence of tree species was most pronounced in the forest floor, where C and N contents increased in the order ash = lime = maple < oak = beech ? spruce. Tree species influenced mineral soil only in some of the sampled soil layers within 30 cm depth. Species with low forest floor C and N content had more C and N in the mineral soil. This opposite trend probably offset the differences in forest floor C and N with no significant difference between tree species in C and N contents of the whole soil profile. The effect of tree species on forest floor C and N content was primarily attributed to large differences in turnover rates as indicated by fractional annual loss of forest floor C and N. The C/N ratio of foliar litterfall was a good indicator of forest floor C and N contents, fractional annual loss of forest floor C and N, and mineral soil N status. Forest floor and litterfall C/N ratios were not related, whereas the C/N ratio of mineral soil (0–30 cm) better indicated N status under deciduous species on rich soil. The results suggest that European deciduous tree species differ in C and N sequestration rates within forest floor and mineral soil, respectively, but there is little evidence of major differences in the combined forest floor and mineral soil after three decades.     

Leaf litterfall concentrations and fluxes of elements in deciduous tree species

The influence of tree species and soil properties on leaf litterfall concentrations and fluxes of elements were studied in three mixed deciduous forest stands. Leaf litterfall fluxes of sixteen elements were measured during autumn defoliation in 100 to 150 yr old individuals of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Tilia cordata Mill, and Acer platanoides L. Compared to throughfall and precipitation, leaf litterfall dominated the flux of P, Ca, Mn, N and Mg (in decreasing order) to the soil below the tree canopies. For K and especially S and Na, however, the importance of leaf litterfall input to the total fluxes was small. Fluxes and especially concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, P and partly N were positively related to base saturation of the soil, while Mn was negatively related due to a higher mobilization rate and plant uptake of this element on acid soils. Litterfall fluxes for C. betulus were strongly positively influenced by base saturation and fluxes were usually higher than for F. sylvatica and Q. robur at the richest site. Quercus robur had often the lowest fluxes, especially of Ca and Mg. Tilia cordata had the highest leaf litter concentrations in twelve of the sixteen elements, and the highest fluxes particularly of N and K. Acer platanoides had the highest or among the highest concentrations and fluxes of Ca, Zn and Mn. The concentration of Al in C. betulus leaf litterfall, was about five times higher than in all other tree species at all sites.     

Broadleaf competition interferes with balsam fir regeneration following experimental removal of moose

Changes to ecosystems caused by introduced herbivores can be predictable, stepwise transitions or unpredictable and even irreversible state changes. This study's objectives were to explore effects on forest succession and soil development 5 years after moose (Alces alces L.) were fenced out of areas within and adjacent to a national park in Newfoundland, Canada. Study plots spanned a range of understorey broadleaf plant associations with regenerating balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), an important winter forage plant for moose and a dominant canopy tree throughout Newfoundland. After 5 years, height–diameter ratios were significantly larger for larger basal diameters of understorey balsam fir in unfenced, but not in fenced subplots, suggesting that growth of the conifer is compromised within the exclosure. In contrast, for most broadleaf trees and shrubs, moose removal by fencing results in greater heights and basal diameters than in control subplots. The competitive advantage of broadleaf trees and shrubs over balsam fir in the short-term may be a result of past sustained heavy moose browsing benefiting plants that are better at investing resources into below-ground growth or benefiting plants that have broader leaf canopies. It is not clear how long the broadleaf transition state we document will continue. Restorative actions intended to mimic usual patterns of forest regeneration in this region of Newfoundland might best consider moose removal with site preparation and/or planting to historic densities.     

山地森林土壤渗滤液化学组成及生物活动强度的研究

研究工作在卧龙自然保护区(北纬30°45′—31°25′,东经102°52′—103°24′)海拔1200—4300m垂直带中的五块试验林地上进行。五块试验林地是:(1)中亚热带以壳斗科和樟科为主的常绿阔叶林下的山地黄壤试验林地(海拔1200m);(2)具有暖温带气候特征的次生椴、槭落叶阔叶林下的山地棕壤试验林地(海拔2000m);(3)具有温带气候特征的铁杉、槭、桦针阔混交林下山地暗棕壤试验林地(海拔2500m);(4)具有寒温带气候特征的暗针叶岷江冷杉林下的山地棕色暗针叶林土试验林地(海拔3300m);(5)具有亚寒带气候特征的高山草甸植被下的高山草甸土试验林地(海拔4300)。     

九龙山多脉青冈-鹅掌楸林演替过程种群生态位

浙江九龙山分布有珍稀濒危落叶树种为主要树种的亚热带常绿落叶阔叶混交林。为探明这些落叶树种在常绿落叶阔叶混交林进展演替过程中生态位变化规律,选择该地区多脉青冈—鹅掌楸林演替过程中4个不同阶段的代表性群落,进展演替过程中,在群落垂直空间上常绿阔叶树不断挤压落叶阔叶树的生存空间,该地区常绿阔叶林顶极群落对珍稀濒危落叶树种是致危生境,不利于生物多样性保护。     

赣中不同类型毛竹林土壤结构特征及其综合评价

以赣中毛竹纯林(MC)、竹阔混交林(ZK)、竹杉混交林(ZS)3种不同类型毛竹林地土壤容重、孔隙状况、团聚体数量、大小和稳定性等土壤结构特征进行了研究,同时以阔叶林(KY)和杉木纯林(SC)为对照,并采用灰色关联度分析法进行了土壤结构综合评价。结果表明,各林分土壤容重大小排序为ZK>MC>ZS>KY>SC;土壤孔隙状况总体表现为阔叶林优于杉木林,毛竹林类型较差;>0.25 mm土壤团聚体含量在94.43%～97.25%,土壤各层均为阔叶林最大;土壤团聚体分形维数均值大小排序为MC>ZK>ZS>SC>KY;不同林分类型间土壤MWD和GMD存在差异,与毛竹纯林比较,竹阔和竹杉混交林0～60 cm土层中土壤MWD和GMD均值分别提高了3.38%、4.10%和5.04%、8.11%;灰色关联度分析法的结果表明,各林分类型土壤结构指标关联度大小排序为KY>SC>ZK>ZS>MC,研究结果可为我国亚热带地区林地资源合理经营及植被建设提供科学依据。     

杉木林采伐迹地连栽和撂荒对林地土壤养分与酶活性的影响

研究湖南会同连栽第2代杉木人工纯林和撂荒对第1代杉木人工林采伐迹地土壤养分与酶活性的影响.结果表明:0～30 cm和30～60 cm土层中,撂荒地土壤有机质、养分含量普遍高于连栽杉木人工林地,且腐殖质碳、有效磷含量的差异均达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),全磷含量在0～30 cm土层中的差异达到显著水平(P＜0.05).0～30 cm土层中,撂荒地过氧化氢酶活性极显著高于连栽杉木人工林地(P＜0.01),磷酸酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶活性均显著高于连栽杉木人工林地(P＜0.05),30～60 cm土层中,撂荒地过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶活性也显著高于杉木人工林地(P＜0.05),磷酸酶和脲酶活性也高于连栽杉木人工林地,但差异不显著(P＞0.05).林地土壤过氧化氢酶、磷酸酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶活性与土壤有机质、养分含量之间均呈较好的正相关,而且与水解氮、速效磷、腐殖质碳的相关性高于其与有机质的相关性.主成分分析表明,土壤酶活性在林地土壤质量体系中扮演着重要角色,其中脲酶、蔗糖酶和磷酸酶可作为林地土壤质量评价的指标.撂荒具有更好地恢复土壤养分含量和酶活性的能力,对维持杉木人工林地持续生产力有着重要作用.     

Carbon and nitrogen cycling immediately following bark beetle outbreaks in southwestern ponderosa pine forests

Bark beetle infestation is a well-known cause of historical low-level disturbance in southwestern ponderosa pine forests, but recent fire exclusion and increased tree densities have enabled large-scale bark beetle outbreaks with unknown consequences for ecosystem function. Uninfested and beetle-infested plots (n = 10 pairs of plots on two aspects) of ponderosa pine were compared over one growing season in the Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest, AZ to determine whether infestation was correlated with differences in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools and fluxes in aboveground biomass and soils. Infested plots had at least 80% of the overstory ponderosa pine trees attacked by bark beetles within 2 years of our measurements. Both uninfested and infested plots stored ∼9 kg C m⁻² in aboveground tree biomass, but infested plots held 60% of this aboveground tree biomass in dead trees, compared to 5% in uninfested plots. We hypothesized that decreased belowground C allocation following beetle-induced tree mortality would alter soil respiration rates, but this hypothesis was not supported; throughout the growing season, soil respiration in infested plots was similar to uninfested plots. In contrast, several results supported the hypothesis that premature needlefall from infested trees provided a pulse of low C:N needlefall that altered soil N cycling. The C:N mass ratio of pine needlefall in infested plots (∼45) was lower than uninfested plots (∼95) throughout the growing season. Mineral soils from infested plots had greater laboratory net nitrification rates and field resin bag ammonium accumulation than uninfested plots. As bark beetle outbreaks become increasingly prevalent in western landscapes, longer-term biogeochemical studies on interactions with other disturbances (e.g. fire, harvesting, etc.) will be required to predict changes in ecosystem structure and function.     

Comparison of soil depths between evergreen and deciduous forests as a determinant of their distribution, Northeast Thailand

In several areas in Northeast Thailand, evergreen and deciduous forests coexist under uniform terrain and climatic conditions. We compared depth and physical properties of soils between evergreen and deciduous forests in the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station to clarify what factor determines their distribution. The averaged soil depths were 79 ± 27 cm and 135 ± 58 cm in the deciduous and evergreen forests, respectively. The soils in the deciduous forests were relatively coarser in soil texture than those in the evergreen forests, particularly in the surface layers. The average available water capacity of the solum was lower in the deciduous forest soils (78 mm) than in the evergreen forest soils (123 mm). Compared with the evapotranspiration from the evergreen forest in the study area, the available water capacity of the evergreen forest soil was almost the same as the water deficit during the dry season (November–February), while that of the deciduous forest soil was lower and insufficient to maintain the evapotranspiration. These results suggest that the distribution of deciduous and evergreen forests in the study area was associated with soil water availability, which mainly depends on soil depth.     

Stand restoration burning in oak–pine forests in the southern Appalachians: effects on aboveground biomass and carbon and nitrogen cycling

Understory prescribed burning is being suggested as a viable management tool for restoring degraded oak–pine forest communities in the southern Appalachians yet information is lacking on how this will affect ecosystem processes. Our objectives in this study were to evaluate the watershed scale effects of understory burning on total aboveground biomass, and the carbon and nitrogen pools in coarse woody debris (CWD), forest floor and soils. We also evaluated the effects of burning on three key biogeochemical fluxes; litterfall, soil CO₂ flux and soil net nitrogen mineralization. We found burning significantly reduced understory biomass as well as the carbon and nitrogen pools in CWD, small wood and litter. There was no significant loss of carbon and nitrogen from the fermentation, humus and soil layer probably as the result of low fire intensity. Burning resulted in a total net loss of 55 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen from the wood and litter layers, which should be easily replaced by future atmospheric deposition. We found a small reduction in soil CO₂ flux immediately following the burn but litterfall and net nitrogen mineralization were not significantly different from controls throughout the growing season following the burn. Overall, the effects of burning on the ecosystem processes we measured were small, suggesting that prescribed burning may be an effective management tool for restoring oak–pine ecosystems in the southern Appalachians.