Effect of fire severity on physical and biochemical soil properties in Zagros oak(Quercus brantii 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 exchangecapacity, 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.     

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.     

Herbaceous species diversity in relation to fire severity in Zagros oak forests,Iran

Zagros forests are mainly covered byQuercus brantii L. coppices and oak sprout clumps occupy the forest area like patches. We investigated post-fire herbaceous diversity in the first growing season after fire. For this purpose neighboring burned and unburned areas were selected with the same plant species and ecological conditions. The data were collected from areas subjected to different fire severities. Overall 6 treatments were considered with respect to fire severity and the mi-crosites of inside and outside of oak sprout clumps including： unburned inside and outside of sprout clumps （Ni and No）, inside of sprout clumps that burned with high fire severity （H）, inside of sprout clumps that burned with moderate fire severity （M）, outside of sprout clumps that burned with low fire severity （OH and OM）. Different herbaceous com-position was observed in the unburned inside and outside of oak sprout clumps. The species diversity and richness were increased in treatments burned with low and moderate fire severity. However, in treatment burned with high fire severity （H）, herbaceous cover was reduced, even-ness was increased, and richness and diversity were not significantly changed. We concluded that besides the microsites conditions in forest, fire severity is an inseparable part of the ecological effect of fire on her-baceous composition.     

Bacillus pumilus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as two potentially causative agents involved in Persian oak decline in Zagros forests (Iran)

The oak decline is known as one of the most destructive complex diseases causing high economic losses around the world, especially in Iran. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the possible role of bacteria as causative agents of oak decline in the Zagros forests of Iran. To do this, stem, root and leaf samples were taken from symptomatic Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii) in different zones of Zagros forests (Ilam Province, Iran). From 150 bacterial isolates, 20 showed pathogenicity against Geranium seedlings. Among 20 hypersensitivity test positive strains, four strains showed pathogenicity against oak saplings. Based on morphological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, three strains were identified as Bacillus pumilus and one strain as non‐sporulating Gram‐negative Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Pathogenicity studies of different B. pumilus and S. maltophilia strains revealed that they have potential to cause the disease in oak saplings and symptoms of disorder in Persian oak trees. To our knowledge, there are no previous records of B. pumilus and S. maltophilia causing decline on Fagaceous trees like Q. brantii. More detailed field and molecular studies are required to confirm the absolute role of such bacteria in occurrence of oak decline in Zagros forests.     

Effects of Persian turpentine tree litter and slope aspect on soil chemical properties in a Zagros forest,Iran

For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near(i.e., beneath the crown) and away from(i.e., not influenced by crown) five Persian turpentine trees each on a north and a south slope at the same elevation in a Zagros forest, Iran. The litter beneath tree crowns and slope exposure were found to have significant interactive effects on C, N, P, K, and electrical conductivity of the soils, however, Ca, Mg and the soil pH were not significantly influenced by these factors. The soil beneath the crowns was enriched in cations compared to more distal positions. Generally, Persian turpentine trees have positive impacts on soil properties in the forest.Degrading or killing these trees by sap extraction, extreme grazing, cutting, fire and expansion of agriculture will lead to significant losses in soil fertility and increases in soil erosion.     

不同竹种对土壤理化性质的影响

对相同立地无林地和毛竹、淡竹、曲竿竹林地土壤理化性质进行对比分析,结果表明:种植竹林后,土壤密度、含水量、总孔隙度都较无林地有明显改善,有机质含量显著增加,淡竹对改善土壤密度等效果最显著。毛竹对氮、磷含量的积累优势最为明显,3种竹林保钾能力偏弱。偏酸林地p H均有不同程度的增加,表明栽植竹林有利于改善土壤酸度。     

泥质海岸混交林对土壤物理性质的影响

采用工程措施对北方泥质海岸盐碱地进行工程整地修筑台田,于台田上布置杨树纯林、刺槐纯林、杨树—刺槐混交林3种栽植模式,对土壤水分物理性质进行研究。结果表明,泥质海岸土壤质地粘重、立地条件差,3种栽植模式中,0～50cm土层的土壤粒径均以0.002mm的粒级为主,占机械组成的30%左右。0～20cm土层中,与刺槐纯林相比,杨—刺混交林、杨树纯林土壤有较小的容重,较大的总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度;最大持水量、毛管持水量、田间持水量均比刺槐纯林高。土壤有机质提高幅度以杨—刺混交林最大,土壤有机质含量的增加势必改善土壤的物理性状,可见在北方泥质海岸盐碱地上造林应注重推广混交模式。     

A new sampling method in the Zagros forests using GIS(case study: Ilam forests of Iran)

One of the basic parameters in forest management planning is detailed knowledge of growing stock,information collected by forest inventory. Sampling methods must be accurate, inexpensive, and be easy to implement in the field. This study presents a new sampling method called branching transect for use in the Iranian Zagros forests and similar forests. Features of the new method include greater accuracy, easy implementation in nature, simplicity of statistical calculations, and low cost.In this method, transect is used, which includes some subtransects(side branches). The length of the main transect,side branches, number of trees measured in each side branch, and the number of sub-branches in this method are changeable based on homogeneity, heterogeneity, and density of a forest. In this study, based on the density and heterogeneity of the forest area studied, 20-m transects with four and eight side branches were used. Sampling plots(Transects) in four inventory networks(100 m × 100 m, 100 m × 150 m, 150 m × 150 m and 100 m × 200 m) were implemented in the GIS environment. The results of this sampling method were compared to the results of total inventory(100% count) in terms of accuracy, precision(t-test), and inventory error percentage.Branching transect results were statistially similar to total inventory counts in all cases. The results show that this method of estimating density and canopy per hectare can be used in Zagros forests and similar forests.     

Introduction of sustainable management tools in central Zagros forests of Iran

Zagros forests are one of the vegetative regions which have been located in the west of Iran. The investigation of sustainable forest management in Zagros is one of the key issues which make us to consider the challenges concerned with the protection of forest resources and socioeconomic problems of local people. Demand for criteria evaluation and indicators for sustainable forest management from local to national level to conduct administrative affairs have been increased. The aim of the present study is to evaluate 7 criteria and 65 sustainable indicators which have been utilized in the Near East. Accordingly, a questionnaire, with its reliability confirmed by experts, was distributed among involved participants. The results indicated that the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0/729. Then, using DEMATEL model, the sustainability criteria were prioritized and the significant correlation among them determined. Likert scale was also utilized to rank all the indicators, and in terms of their relative weight they were compared with. The result indicated that the most significant criteria were legal, political, and institutional frameworks, and protective functions of forest criterion were the most influential factor. By analyzing the experts’ attitudes, reliance on natural regeneration indicator with the relative weight of 31/15% was the most significant criteria in the region. The existence of number of seed provenance with the relative weight of 9/17% was the least significant role. At the end, 27 verifiers, 25 threshold values, and the most significant indicators in this research were determined.     

带状采伐对毛竹林土壤理化性质和酶活性的影响

为研究带状采伐后土壤质量的恢复特征,以福建省建瓯市房道镇千竹园毛竹林为研究对象,设置两种不同采伐宽度的带状采伐,即5 m(C1)和7 m(C2),以不进行采伐处理为对照(CK),研究采伐后Ⅰ时期(2018年10月)和Ⅱ时期(2019年6月)土壤理化性质及土壤酶活性的变化特征。结果表明:采伐后Ⅰ时期和Ⅱ时期相比,土壤质量含水量、最大持水量和毛管持水量显著增加;采伐后Ⅰ时期C1和C2的土壤容重小于CK,但采伐后Ⅱ时期则相反。土壤中的水解氮(DON)含量在采伐后Ⅰ时期表现为C2>C1>CK,在采伐后Ⅱ时期不同土层平均值表现为CK>C2>C1;土壤中的有效磷(AP)含量在采伐后Ⅰ和Ⅱ时期均表现为C1>C2>CK;土壤中的速效钾(AK)含量、电导率(EC)和p H值在采伐后Ⅰ和Ⅱ时期均表现为C2>C1>CK;与采伐后Ⅰ时期相比,采伐后Ⅱ时期的土壤蔗糖酶(S-SC)与土壤酸性磷酸酶(S-ACP)活性升高,而土壤脲酶(S-UE)活性下降。带状采伐能明显增加土壤中AP和AK含量,提高EC、土壤p H值和S-UE活性;7 m带状采伐在改善土壤理化方面优于5 m带状采伐;故通过带状采伐可以提高土壤质量,有利于毛竹林恢复地力。     

Structure of pollarded oak forest in relation to aspect in Northern Zagros,Iran

We analyzed the structure of pollarded oak forest and biometric indices of pollarded oak species in relation to aspect in northern Zagros forests, western Iran. A number of 319 circular plots (0.1 ha) were established using a systematic random method over the study area. In each plot, for all trees (diameter at breast height ≥5 cm) diameter was measured and tree species was recorded. Total height, trunk height, and major and minor diameter axis of the crown of two trees in each plot (nearest tree to the center of the plot and the largest tree in term of diameter) were measured. As the dispersion of slope and altitude classes in the study area were identical, the effect of these factors was assumed to be constant. To evaluate the effect of aspect on biometric indices of oak trees a comparison was used for each oak species separately. The results indicated that the forest species composition differed statistically significant in main aspects except for easterly and westerly aspects (P < 0.01). The diameter of similar oak trees was significantly different except for Lebanon oak in northerly and southerly and Gall oak in easterly and westerly aspects (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the total height and crown area of similar oak species in different aspects. Differences in diameter, height, and crown area distributions showed a significant difference in main aspects. The basal area and tree density in northerly and southerly aspects were significantly different (P < 0.05).     

Sustainability of wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) in Zagros forests,Iran

Wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) is the most economically important tree species in many rural areas in the west of Iran. The species produces resin used for a wide variety of traditional uses. Because the resin can be harvested non-destructively, the trees are maintained until mortality occurs from natural causes. The result is that natural, managed stands include a variety of age classes. In recent years, a lack of smaller size classes has been observed in the Qalajeh forest, which is located in the Zagros Mountain region of western Iran. We established a series of plots in an area typical of Qalajeh forest to characterize the diameter distribution of the wild pistachio component. We confirmed a deficit of stems <30 cm dbh, based in the expectation that the landscape-level diameter distribution should be characterized by a negative exponential curve. For trees ≥30 cm dbh, de Liocourt's equation closely fit the diameter distribution (r² = 0.93), translating to a q-factor of 1.34. We used this curve to estimate the deficit number of stems in diameter classes <30 cm. We estimate that this forest should have 19–24 wild pistachio trees/ha in the 5–25 cm classes, as compared to about 5 trees/ha found currently. Based on local conditions, we recommend that at least 30 seedlings/ha should be planted to allow 6–8 trees to reach to the 5 cm class.     

外生菌根菌对巨桉人工林土壤理化性质的影响

该文调查了四川乐山沙湾、眉山丹棱巨桉人工林下外生菌根菌土,测定了土壤养分情况。结果表明：两地所采集的菌根土的理化指标与对照相比有明显变化,样地Ⅰ菌根土pH值显著高于对照土,有机质含量与对照相比并不显著,样地ⅡpH值显著低于对照,而有机质含量明显高于对照;两样地菌根土的全N、水解N、全P和有效P含量均显著高于对照;大孢硬皮马勃的菌根土全K含量与对照相比并不显著,彩色豆马勃和马勃状硬皮马勃的菌根土全K含量均显著低于对照（P〈0.05）;样地Ⅰ菌根土速效K含量与对照差异不显著,样地Ⅱ菌根土速效K含量显著低于对照。由此可见,巨桉外生菌根真菌对提高巨桉人工林的土壤肥力,维护人工林地力具有一定作用。     

不同植被类型对沙地土壤理化性质的影响

为探讨不同植被类型与沙地土壤理化性质的影响,对我国辽西北沙地不同植被类型下土壤容重、土壤养分、水分含量进行了测定和分析。结果表明：辽西北沙地8种典型植被类型土壤容重大小依次为荒草地〉油松纯林〉弃耕地〉樟子松林〉山杏林〉榆树疏林〉松杨混交林〉杨树纯林;沙地经过人工固定后土壤的养分含量发生了变化,土壤有机质含量和全氮含量有不同程度的提高,全磷、全钾则有不同程度的下降。在雨季,针叶树林地土壤含水量高于其他植被类型,农业弃耕地在7月份和10月份中土壤表层含水量较高,山杏林地在不同时期含水量均表现为最低。     

湖南不同混交林模式对土壤物理性质的影响

通过对湖南省三处试验地内不同混交模式混交林的土壤物理特性进行研究,发现不同混交林模式土壤物理性质之间无显著差异,相关性分析表明混交林较纯林土壤疏松多孔,说明混交林比纯林更能提高林分涵养水分的能力。     

Forest land-use history affects the species composition and soil properties of old-aged hillock forests in Estonia

Decisions regarding forest typology, management and protection are often based on the structures of present-day forests, ignoring their successional history. Forests growing on kames, eskers and various moraine hillocks common in regions with Holocene glaciation are good examples of this approach. In Estonia, these forests locally persist as fragments of continuous primary forest, but usually they are situated on former slash-and-burn areas (bushlands) or reforested agricultural land. Our aim was to elucidate the strength of the effect of long-term land-use history on the present-day vegetation compositions of mature hillock forests and their soil chemistry. It appeared that even the mature secondary hillock forests are still distinct from historically continuous stands in terms of species composition. We discovered connections between stand history and species content in hillock forests as well as transformed soil properties. The carbon and nitrogen contents in the humus horizons of secondary forests are lower while their carbon–nitrogen ratios are higher than in continuous forests. The relationship between vegetation and stand history is demonstrated by the higher proportions of anthropophytic and apophytic species in the herb layer of the secondary forests. The presence of species that are tolerant of anthropogenic impact on the secondary hillock forests floor can also be partly explained by the effect of different species in the tree and shrub layers, gaps in the tree canopy, and the boundary effect caused by the small areas of forest patches, neighboring grasslands or fields. The extinction debt in secondary communities should also be considered.     

Effect of shifting cultivation on soil physical and chemical properties in Bandarban hill district, Bangladesh

This study reports the effects of shifting cultivation at slashing stage on soil physicochemical properties at Bandarban Sadar Upazila in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. At this initial stage of ...     

MECHANISM OF ELECTRIC FIELD ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Using The Electric Fertilization Apparatus which was made by the ForestryInstiute of Jilin City,the mechanism of the electric field on the physical-chemical characteristicsof soil,in this paper were studied.The preliminary conclusion is that the amount of chemical fer-tilizer may be saved under the effect of electricity.     

Comparison of soil physical properties in evergreen and deciduous forests in central Cambodia

We investigated soil physical properties in three forest types in tropical lowland monsoon forests in central Cambodia under the same climatic conditions, i.e., Kanhaplic Haplustults in dry evergreen forest (KH-E), Arenic Haplustults in dry deciduous forest (AH-D), and Arenic Ultic Alorthods in mixed evergreen–deciduous forest (AA-M), to clarify the relationship between forest types and soil physical properties. The clay content was correlated with water content at ψ = −9.8 and −1500 kPa (WC10 and WC1500), available water capacity (AWC), and the van Genuchten (vG) parameter N (P < 0.01). vG parameter N was in the order AH-D > AA-M > KH-E whereas vG parameter α had a high value in KH-E soil at 0–100 cm in depth. The cumulative AWC (AWCcl, mm) at a soil depth of 0–200 cm was higher in the AH-D than in the KH-E, and was not considered a major factor affecting the distribution of different forest types under the same climatic conditions. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K) at 0–100 cm in depth, estimated by use of models, was higher in AH-D than in KH-E mostly at matric potential ψ > −10 kPa. The low K in KH-E at ψ > −10 kPa was considered favorable for evergreen trees to retain the soil water for the transpiration in the dry season, and the matric potential in KH-E showed more gentle decreases in the early dry seasons than AH-D. Thus the differences in K among generally sandy soil types could possibly affect the establishment of different forest types in the study area with the same climate.