Organic matter composition and dynamics in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem 15 years after clear-cutting

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays an important role in governing soil properties and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Clear-cutting alters the SOM cycle by changing decomposition rates and organic matter (OM) inputs to the forest ecosystem. We studied the 15-year clear-cutting response on the properties and composition of SOM at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in New Hampshire. Solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to study the structural chemistry of SOM in whole soils and extracted humic substances. Overall, alkyl C and O-alkyl C were the dominant C fractions in soils and humic substances. Alkyl C accounted for 38–49% of the total NMR signal intensity in soils and 33–56% in humic substances. O-alkyl C accounted for 32–45% of the signal intensity in soils and 20–31% in humic substances. Following clear-cutting, the contribution of O-alkyl C increased in whole soils and humic acids of the Oa horizon, while alkyl C decreased in whole soils and humic acids of Oa and Bh horizons. Thus, the ratio of alkyl C to O-alkyl C, an index of the degree of decomposition of SOM, decreased in whole soils and humic acids after clear-cutting, indicating that the SOM in post-harvest soils is less decomposed relative to pre-harvest soils. On average, humic substances accounted for 47% of SOM. The concentration of humic acid decreased by up to 25% in Oa, E and Bh horizons after clear-cutting, while the concentration of fulvic acid decreased by more than 40% in the Oa and E horizons. Together, these results indicate that clear-cutting resulted in the loss of humic substances from the forest floor and upper mineral horizons, which was replaced by less decomposed OM in the post-clear-cut soils under the regrowing forest.     

Carbon fractions as indicators of organic matter dynamics in chestnut orchards under different soil management practices

Several studies have emphasized the negative impact of the conventional soil management (CT) system on productivity and sustainability of chestnut orchards (Castanea sativa Mill.) when compared to no-tillage with grass cover (NT). However, scarce information is available regarding the effects of these soil management systems on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and soil quality. SOM or soil organic carbon is a key component of soil quality and has different fractions with different lability, namely, organic C (POC), active C (AC) and hot-water extractable carbon (HWC). These are considered as indicators of changes in management-induced soil quality. Thus, a study was carried out to evaluate the effects of NT and CT systems applied in the chestnut orchards on: (i) total amount of soil organic C (TOC), including C from both organic and mineral layers; (ii) soil organic C concentration of mineral horizons (OC); (iii) labile soil organic fractions (POC, AC, HWC); (iv) and soil mineral-associated C. The study was developed in two 30-year old chestnut orchards located in Northeast Portugal, that were kept under different soil management systems (NT or CT) during the preceding 17 years. Soil samples were taken at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depth. No significant differences in OC concentration were observed between NT and CT, while TOC was significantly higher in NT than in CT (22.54 and 12.17 Mg/ha or 34.16 and 22.90 Mg/ha, considering the organic layer plus mineral layers at 0–10 and 0–20 cm depth (set of two depths). The NT practice led to significantly higher concentration of labile C fractions (POC, AC and HWC) than CT at 0–10 cm soil depth. These results indicate that measurement of labile soil organic C fractions, such as POC, AC and HWC, may provide a sensitive and consistent indication of changes in soil C and SOM dynamics in response to soil management practices. Overall, NT seems to ensure better soil quality than CT in chestnut orchards under Mediterranean climate conditions.     

Regional patterns of fire recurrence effects on calcareous soils of Mediterranean Pinus halepensis communities

The effects of fire recurrence on soils were studied on calcareous sites of Mediterranean Pinus halepensis-dominated communities in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula). Soil organic horizons and mineral soils of 15 sites consisting in two adjacent areas, one burnt only once (in 1994) and the other burnt twice (in the same 1994 fire but also once before, from 1975 to 1993) were surveyed 9 years after the last fire. Fire recurrence decreased the occurrence and dry mass of soil organic horizons. Total nitrogen concentration in L organic horizon was higher in less recurrently burnt areas. No other significant difference between once- and twice-burnt areas was found for any studied chemical parameter either in organic L and FH horizons or in mineral soils. The present study underlines the fact that fire effects on soil organic horizons are accumulated through consecutive fires.     

Vertical distribution and soil organic matter composition in a montane cloud forest, Oaxaca, Mexico

In montane cloud forests (MCF), the main soil organic carbon (SOC) pool is believed to be constituted by organic debris accumulated on soil surface and, to a lesser extent, by the organic fraction associated with the mineral matrix. The vertical distribution of SOC within soil has strong implications on the composition, stabilization and turnover of the soil organic matter (SOM). In ecosystems like MCF, where the climatic and edaphic conditions varied with altitude, the SOM accumulation and stabilization mechanisms possibly respond to these changes. For that reason, we studied the vertical distribution, accumulation and chemical composition of SOM in five montane cloud forest communities located between 1,500 and 2,500?m a.s.l. Two main SOC accumulation patterns were found: one at 1,500, 1,950 and 2,400?m a.s.l., with SOC content gradually decreasing with depth (cumulative); and another at 2,050 and 2,500?m a.s.l. where SOC had a strong maximum in the surface horizon and a less pronounced increase the spodic horizon (eluviation–illuviation pattern). The total SOC pool in soil decreased in inverse relation to altitude from 227?C?ha^?1 at 1,500?m a.s.l. down to 143?mg?C?ha^?1 at 2,500?m a.s.l. About 40–60?% of total SOC content corresponded to the surficial organic horizon. The chemical fractionation of the SOM denoted in general predominance of the fulvic acid fraction, and high content of humin and humic acid fractions. We considered that the main SOC vertical distribution processes were related to the raw humus accumulation, decomposition in situ, podzolization in the eluviation–illuviation pattern soils mainly.     

Soil carbon distribution and quality in a montane rangeland-forest mosaic in northern Utah

Relatively little is known about soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in montane ecosystems of the semi-arid western U.S. or the stability of current SOC pools under future climate change scenarios. We measured the distribution and quality of SOC in a mosaic of rangeland-forest vegetation types that occurs under similar climatic conditions on non-calcareous soils at Utah State University's T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah: the forest types were aspen [Populus tremuloides] and conifer (mixture of fir [Abies lasiocarpa] and spruce [Picea engelmannii]); the rangeland types were sagebrush steppe [Artemisia tridentata], grass-forb meadow, and a meadow-conifer ecotone. Total SOC was calculated from OC concentrations, estimates of bulk density by texture and rock-free soil volume in five pedons. The SOC quality was expressed in terms of leaching potential and decomposability. Amount and aromaticity of water-soluble organic carbon (DOC) was determined by water extraction and specific ultra violet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA) of leached DOC. Decomposability of SOC and DOC was derived from laboratory incubation of soil samples and water extracts, respectively.

Although there was little difference in total SOC between soils sampled under different vegetation types, vertical distribution, and quality of SOC appeared to be influenced by vegetation. Forest soils had a distinct O horizon and higher SOC concentration in near-surface mineral horizons that declined sharply with depth. Rangeland soils lacked O horizons and SOC concentration declined more gradually. Quality of SOC under rangelands was more uniform with depth and SOC was less soluble and less decomposable (i.e., more stable) than under forests. However, DOC in grass-forb meadow soils was less aromatic and more bioavailable, likely promoting C retention through cycling. The SOC in forest soils was notably more leachable and decomposable, especially near the soil surface, with stability increasing with soil depth. Across the entire dataset, there was a weak inverse relationship between the decomposability and the aromaticity of DOC. Our data indicate that despite similar SOC pools, vegetation type may affect SOC retention capacity under future climate projections by influencing potential SOC losses via leaching and decomposition.     

喀斯特石漠化地区不同植被群落的土壤有机碳变化

研究贵州中部喀斯特石漠化地区不同植被群落土壤和小生境土壤中有机碳的数量和质量变化.结果表明:喀斯特石漠化区阔叶林土壤有机总碳含量和腐殖酸碳含量明显高于灌木林、灌草丛和稀疏草丛,而土壤水溶性有机碳含量的变化则相反;喀斯特森林退化后,土壤有机碳的累积量减少、流失量增加;喀斯特小生境土壤有机总碳和腐殖酸碳含量存在明显的水平空间变异:石坑>石沟>石缝>石洞.主成分分析结果表明:喀斯特土壤有机碳变化的第1主要因子由植被类型决定,第2主要因子由小生境类型所决定.     

自然因子对中国森林土壤碳储量的影响分析

文中分析了森林植被、土壤属性、立地条件、气候条件以及凋落物和根系输入等自然因素对中国森林土壤碳储量的影响。森林植物种类组成决定了进入土壤的植物残体量和分解速率,导致土壤有机碳的含量及分布有很大差异。随着林龄的增加,土壤碳储量会呈现增加或产生波动2种情况。土壤理化性质影响土壤有机碳的含量,而土壤碳储量又影响着土壤结构、根系深度、土层特性、有效水分保持能力、土壤生物多样性等; 海拔、坡度、坡向、坡位等立地条件对森林土壤有机碳储量的影响各不相同; 温度、水分、CO₂浓度等气候因子在森林土壤有机碳的蓄积过程中起着至关重要的作用; 凋落物和根系对土壤的输入也可以改变土壤碳库。     

枫香与杉木、马尾松混交林土壤有机质和腐殖质碳的研究

对枫香与杉木、马尾松混交后土壤有机质碳和腐殖质碳的变化进行研究表明:枫香与杉木、马尾松混交后,增加了土壤的有机质碳和腐殖质碳的储量,0~20 cm土层增加的幅度大于20~40 cm土层。从腐殖质的组成来看,混交林土壤无论是胡敏酸、富啡酸还是土壤腐殖化度都大于纯林,混交林土壤胡敏酸与富啡酸比值(HA/FA)也大于纯林。从而表明了混交林土壤腐殖物质的品质变佳,土壤熟化度增大,土壤供肥保肥的能力增强,土壤肥力得以提高。     

Effects of grazing exclusion and environmental conditions on the soil seed bank of a Mediterranean grazed oak wood pasture

Large seed banks in the soils of Mediterranean wood pastures can allow the composition of the understorey vegetation to adapt to changing conditions such as under-grazing, grazing exclusion and climate change. This three year study investigated the effect of grazing exclusion on the transient and persistent seed banks of 23 areas of a Mediterranean wood pasture of Quercus suber L., Q. ilex L. and Q. pubescens Willd. A canonical correspondence analysis was used to determine the effect of topo-climatic (elevation, aspect, slope, rainfall, temperature, tree coverage), soil (pH, soil texture, and soil nitrogen, phosphorus, lime and organic carbon content) and biodiversity (Shannon index, species richness index, and Pastoral Value) variables on the soil seed bank under grazed and ungrazed conditions. The size of the persistent seed bank increased with rainfall, grazing, and the available phosphorus content of the soil. Specific site by site grazing regimes could increase the abundance of legumes in the soil seed bank and the species richness and diversity of the understorey vegetation. These results can help guide the conservation management of this silvopastoral area.     

落叶松人工林土壤腐殖物质组分及其对酸度的影响

对落叶松人工纯林不同发育阶段幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林、成熟林及二代幼龄林土壤腐殖物质组分变化及其对酸度的影响进行研究,以次生林和一代幼龄林为对照,比较不同发育阶段落叶松人工林与天然次生林、一代幼龄林与二代幼龄林土壤有机质含量、腐殖物质组分特征的差异.结果表明:落叶松人工林从幼龄林到近熟林根际与非根际土壤有机质含量、胡敏酸含碳量、胡敏素含碳量随林龄的增大而增大;近熟林到成熟林根际与非根际土壤有机质含量、富啡酸含碳量和胡敏素含碳量随着林龄的增大而降低;土壤腐殖化程度(土壤中胡敏酸占全C的百分比)和土壤腐殖质中胡敏酸含碳量与富啡酸含碳量比值(HA/FA)为次生林大于幼龄林和近熟林;二代幼龄林与一代幼龄林相比,根际土壤有机质含量、富啡酸含碳量和胡敏素含碳量分别降低4.53%、35.8%和1.98%,非根际土壤有机质含量、胡敏酸含碳量、富啡酸含碳量和胡敏素含碳量分别提高46.44%、43.69%、47.45%和49.5%;土壤腐殖物质组分与酸度的相关关系随着年龄的变化而变化,并且不同发育阶段根际土壤腐殖物质组分与根际土壤活性酸(pH值)、交换性酸、水解性酸相关性密切.     

Drying and wetting of Mediterranean soils stimulates decomposition and carbon dioxide emission: the "Birch effect"

Observations on the net carbon exchange of forests in the European Mediterranean region, measured recently by the eddy covariance method, have revived interest in a phenomenon first characterized on agricultural and forest soils in East Africa in the 1950s and 1960s by H. F. Birch and now often referred to as the "Birch effect." When soils become dry during summer because of lack of rain, as is common in regions with Mediterranean climate, or are dried in the laboratory in controlled conditions, and are then rewetted by precipitation or irrigation, there is a burst of decomposition, mineralization and release of inorganic nitrogen and CO(2). In forests in Mediterranean climates in southern Europe, this effect has been observed with eddy covariance techniques and soil respiration chambers at the stand and small plot scales, respectively. Following the early work of Birch, laboratory incubations of soils at controlled temperatures and water contents have been used to characterize CO(2) release following the rewetting of dry soils. A simple empirical model based on laboratory incubations demonstrates that the amount of carbon mineralized over one year can be predicted from soil temperature and precipitation regime, provided that carbon lost as CO(2) is taken into account. We show that the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere following soil rewetting can reduce significantly the annual net carbon gain by Mediterranean forests.     

Organic carbon pools in a Luvisol under agroforestry and conventional farming systems in the semi-arid region of Ceará, Brazil

Many environmental benefits have been attributed to agroforestry systems in various ecosystems around the world. However, there is a limited amount of information to evaluate this agricultural system in the semi-arid region, specifically in the region of Ceará, Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate five agricultural (four agroforestry and one conventional) systems in order to test the hypothesis that the agroforestry systems promote an increase in the soil organic carbon stocks and organic carbon pools, thus improving soil quality. The following treatments were tested: agrosilvopasture (AGP), silvopasture (SILV), traditional agroforestry (TRAG), intensive cropping (IC), and native forest (NF). The soil samples were collected at four depths: 0–6, 6–12, 12–20 and 20–40 cm. Total soil organic carbon stocks and the organic carbon pools (microbial biomass-C, mineralizable-C, oxidizable-C, free, occluded light fraction organic matter, and C in the humic substances) were analyzed. After 5 years of experimental cultivation, the soil under the SILV system presented the best results for the attributes studied, preserving, and in some cases, improving these attributes, when compared to the other conditions. The traditional agroforestry system (TRAG) reduced total organic carbon stocks and, consequently, C in some organic matter compartments, indicating that the fallow period was not sufficient to maintain soil quality. The AGP and IC systems presented significant losses in some of the soil organic matter (SOM) pools, suggesting that the soil environment had been degraded. The most labile SOM components were considered sensitive indicators of change in the soil quality. The silvopasture system can, therefore, be recommended as an alternative soil management strategy for food production and for the maintenance of soil quality and agricultural sustainability in the semiarid region of Ceará state.     

Active organic carbon pool of coniferous and broad-leaved forest soils in the mountainous areas of Beijing

In order to explore the effects of different forest types on active soil carbon pool, the amounts and density of soil organic carbon (SOC) were studied at different soil horizons under typical coniferous and broad-leaved forests in the mountainous area of Beijing. The results showed that the amount of total SOC, readily oxidizable carbon and particulate organic carbon decreased with increasing depths of soil horizons and the amounts at depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm in broad-leaved forest was clearly higher than that in coniferous forests. The trend of a decrease in SOC density with increasing depth of the soil horizon was similar to that of the amount of SOC. However, no regular trend was found for SOC density at different depths between coniferous forest and broad-leaved forests. The ratio of readily oxidizable carbon to total amount of SOC ranged from 0.36–0.45 and the ratio of particulate organic carbon to total amount of SOC from 0.28–0.73; the ratios decreased with increasing depths of soil horizons. Active SOC was significantly correlated with total SOC; the relationship between readily oxidizable carbon and particulate organic carbon was significant. A broad-leaved forest may produce more SOC than a coniferous forest.     

土壤有机碳动态模型的研究进展

As the largest pool of terrestrial organic carbon, soils interact strongly with atmosphere composition, climate, and land change. Soil organic carbon dynamics in ecosystem plays a great role in global carbon cycle and global change. With development of mathematical models that simulate changes in soil organic carbon, there have been considerable advances in understanding soil organic carbon dynamics. This paper mainly reviewed the composition of soil organic matter and its influenced factors, and recommended some soil organic matter models worldwide. Based on the analyses of the developed results at home and abroad, it is suggested that future soil organic matter models should be developed toward based-process models, and not always empirical ones. The models are able to reveal their interaction between soil carbon systems, climate and land cover by technique and methods of GIS (Geographical Information System) and RS (Remote Sensing). These models should be developed at a global scale, in dynamically describing the spatial and temporal changes of soil organic matter cycle. Meanwhile, the further researches on models should be strengthen for providing theory basis and foundation in making policy of green house gas emission in China.     

Charge characteristics of soil organic matter fractions in a Ferric Lixisol under some multipurpose trees

Soil organic matter (SOM) has a key role in maintaining soil fertility in weathered soils in the tropics. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of different SOM fractions to the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of a tropical soil as influenced by organic matter inputs of different biochemical composition. Soil samples were collected from a 16-yr old arboretum established on a Ferric Lixisol, under five multipurpose tree species: Leucaena leucocephala, Dactyladenia barteri, Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus santalinoides, and Treculia africana. Fractions were obtained by wet sieving and sedimentation after dispersion with Na₂CO₃. Fractions larger than 0.053 mm were separated into mineral and organic components by flotation on water. Relationships between CEC and pH were determined using the silverthioureum-method. For all treatments the organic fractions had the highest CEC, expressed on a dry matter basis, and the CEC of the fractions smaller than 0.053 mm was inversely related to their particle size: clay (< 0.002 mm) > fine silt (0.002–0.02 mm) > coarse silt (0.02–0.053 mm). A positive correlation (significant at the 0.01 probability level) existed between the slope of the fitted CEC-pH relationships and the organic C concentrations of the whole soil and both silt fractions. The clay and fine silt fractions were responsible for 85 to 90% of the CEC of the soil. Organic inputs with a high C/N and lignin/N ratio produced fine and coarse silt sized SOM fractions with the highest charge density. Therefore, inputs of slowly decomposing organic residues seem to be promising for increasing the CEC of highly weathered soils.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of fire severity on physical and biochemical soil properties in Zagros oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus brantii</Emphasis> Lindl.) forests in Iran

Fire affects the physical and chemical properties and soil biological activity of natural ecosystems. This study was conducted in the Miyan Tang region, Ilam Province in western Iran. The study site was 110 hectares, where we sampled soils in areas that were classified by fire severity: low (LS), high (HS) and medium severity (MS), and unburned (UB), which served as the control. In each severity class, 25 transect points were randomly selected for measurement. Around each transect plot center, 3 soil samples were selected randomly and soils collected from the 0 to 20 cm depth were combined into a composite sample that was used in laboratory analysis to represent conditions at that point. Plots in the UB and LS fire classes had similar soil conditions and had higher values of factors such as saturated moisture, organic carbon, carbon dioxide, and silt and clay content. In contrast, plots in the HS and MS fire severity classes were clustered in the positive direction along the first axis that represented gradients in soil acidity, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, accessible phosphorus, accessible potassium, bulk density, and sand. Soil attributes were similar in areas of HS and MS fire severity classes, whereas soil conditions in the LS class and UB controls were most similar. Fire in the LS areas either did not significantly alter the physical–chemical soil properties and microbial basal respiration, or soils were able to recover quickly after being burned.     

Soil Classification and Carbon Storage in Cacao Agroforestry Farming Systems of Bahia,Brazil

Information concerning the classification of soils and their properties under cacao agroforestry systems of the Atlantic rain forest biome region in the Southeast of Bahia, Brazil is largely unknown. Soil and climatic conditions in this region are favorable for high soil carbon storage. This study is aimed to classify soils under cacao agroforestry and further, to quantify carbon stocks in these soil profiles. Soil classification was performed, and the amount of C stored was estimated, based on the thickness of the soil horizons, their bulk density, and total organic carbon stored. In the sites studied under cacao, four general classes of soils were identified: Ultisols, Oxisols, Alfisols, and Inceptisols. Carbon stocks in these soil profiles showed wide variation, ranging from 719.24 to 2089.93 Mg ha^?1. Carbon stocks in soil surface and subsurface layers in different agroforestry systems with cacao (cacao cabruca, cacao?×?rubber tree, and cacao?×?erythrina) were comparable; however, total storage of organic C in these soils was higher than expected, compared to values reported for the International Soil Reference and Information Center (ISRIC), based on the FAO-UNESCO database, and were also higher than estimated regional soil data.     

Carbon and nitrogen in forest soils: Potential indicators for sustainable management of eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia

Soil organic matter (SOM) has been adopted as an indicator of soil fertility based on the rationale that SOM contributes significantly to soil physical, chemical, and biological properties that affect vital ecosystem processes of forests in Australia. A study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of SOM as an indicator of SFM at two long-term experimental sites in native eucalypt forests, including Silvertop Ash (E. sieberi L. Johnson) and Mountain Ash (E. regnans F. Muell.) in Victoria. This study examines the relative contributions made by various sources of carbon in soil profiles (0–30 cm) of forest soils, viz. mineral soil (<2 mm), plant residues, charcoal (>2 mm), and rock fragments (>2 mm). The long-term changes in these fractions in response to management-induced soil physical disturbance and fire (unburnt, moderate and high intensity) were evaluated. After 10 years, carbon levels in the fine soil fraction (soil <2 mm including fine charcoal) were similar across the range of fire disturbance classes in Mountain Ash forest (20–25 kg/m²) and Silvertop Ash forest (7–8 kg/m²). Likewise differences in carbon associated with other fractions, viz. microbial biomass, labile carbon, plant residues and rock fragments were comparatively small and could not be attributed to fire disturbance. Burning increased the charcoal carbon fraction from 5 to 23 kg/m² in Mountain Ash forest and from 1 to 3 kg/m² in Silvertop Ash forest. Taking into account, the percentage area affected by fire, increases in total soil carbon in these forests were estimated at 25 and 7 t/ha, respectively.

The effects of physical disturbance of soils were examined at one site in Mountain Ash forest where soil cultivation was used as site preparation rather than the standard practice of burning of logging residues. Total carbon in soil profiles decreased from 29 to 21 kg/m² where soil disturbance was severe, i.e. topsoil removed and subsoil disturbed. This was mainly due to a decrease in charcoal carbon from 6.8 to 1.7 kg/m² but severe soil disturbance also increased the amount of carbon associated with rock fragments from 1.6 to 3.5 kg/m².

Management-induced fire increased the coarse charcoal content of soil profiles substantially, thus increasing total carbon content as well as the proportion of recalcitrant carbon in SOM. In contrast, there was little change in the carbon content of the fine soil fraction including the labile and biologically active fractions indicating that these SOM fractions most relevant to ecosystem processes showed little long-term impact from soil disturbance and fire. Conventional sampling of the fine soil fraction (<2 mm) only represented between 50% and 70% of total carbon in the soil profiles. In contrast, total nitrogen in this fraction represented between 75% and 90% of the nitrogen in soil profiles and was less affected by changes in the contributions of N made by coarse fractions. Monitoring of soil N rather than C as an indicator of soil fertility and SFM may be more appropriate for forest soils with significant charcoal content.     

Soil organic matter in a ponderosa pine forest with varying seasons and intervals of prescribed burn

Prescribed burning is used to reduce fuel loads and return ponderosa pine forests of the Western U.S. to their historical structure and function. The impact of prescribed burning on soil is dependent on fire severity which is largely managed by burning in the fall or the spring; frequency of fire will also regulate long-term fire impacts. The objective of this study was to determine if soils and soil organic matter (SOM) were affected by prescribed burning in the fall or the spring using singular or multiple prescribed burns. Prescribed burning was initiated in the spring of 1997 and fall of 1997 at 5-year intervals and once during a 15-year period on a study site located within the Malheur National Forest of the southern Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Soils were sampled by major genetic horizon in 2004. The 5-year interval plots had burned twice with 1–2 years of recovery while the 15-year interval plots had burned only once with 6–7 years of recovery. Samples were analyzed for pH, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), C/N ratio, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, water repellency, and humic substance composition by alkali extraction. Fall burning decreased C and N capital of the soil (O horizon +30 cm depth mineral soil) by 22–25%. Prescribed burning did not have an effect on fulvic or humic acid C concentration (FA and HA, respectively) of the mineral soil and only a minor effect on FA and HA concentration of the O horizon. One or two fall burns decreased humin and the alkali non-soluble C (NS) content of O horizon by 15 and 30%, respectively. Initiating fall burning in fire-suppressed stands may not preserve soil C, N, humin, and NS content, but may replicate the natural fire regime. Spring burning using a return interval of 5 or more years reduces the fuel load while having little impact on soil C, N, and SOM composition and may be used to prepare a site for subsequent fall burns.     

Effects of afforestation on soil organic matter characteristics under subtropical forests with low elevation

We selected sites of natural broad-leaved forests and adjacent coniferous plantations (Cunninghamia konishii and Calocedrus formosana of 30 and 80 years old, respectively) in central Taiwan to evaluate the effects of plantations on soil organic matter (SOM) characteristics and composition. SOM was characterized by chemical analyses, solid-state ¹³C cross-polarization magic-angle nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C NMR), and optical measurements. Semiquantitative analysis of CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra showed the litter of broad-leaved forests to be less resistant to decomposition than that of coniferous forests. The humification degree of SOM was higher under broad-leaved than coniferous forests because of the relatively high percentage of aromatic C and carboxyl C in the humic acids (HAs) of A horizons under broad-leaved forests. Additionally, the E ₄/E ₆ ratio of HAs was lower in the A horizon under broad-leaved than coniferous forests, which reflected more condensation of SOM. High alkyl C content under coniferous forests could be attributed to needle litter quality, which has a high content of waxes or lipids. Afforestation with conifers induced accumulation of the litterfall layer, gradually increased SOM concentrations, and changed the composition structures of SOM in the topsoils.