Does tree species composition control soil organic carbon pools in Mediterranean mountain forests?

We compared soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and stability under two widely distributed tree species in the Mediterranean region: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) at their ecotone. We hypothesised that soils under Scots pine store more SOC and that tree species composition controls the amount and biochemical composition of organic matter inputs, but does not influence physico-chemical stabilization of SOC. At three locations in Central Spain, we assessed SOC stocks in the forest floor and down to 50 cm in the mineral in pure and mixed stands of Pyrenean oak and Scots pine, as well as litterfall inputs over approximately 3 years at two sites. The relative SOC stability in the topsoil (0-10 cm) was determined through size-fractionation (53 μm) into mineral-associated and particulate organic matter and through KMnO₄-reactive C and soil C:N ratio.Scots pine soils stored 95-140 Mg ha⁻¹ of C (forest floor plus 50 cm mineral soil), roughly the double than Pyrenean oak soils (40-80 Mg ha⁻¹ of C), with stocks closely correlated to litterfall rates. Differences were most pronounced in the forest floor and uppermost 10 cm of the mineral soil, but remained evident in the deeper layers. Biochemical indicators of soil organic matter suggested that biochemical recalcitrance of soil organic matter was higher under pine than under oak, contributing as well to a greater SOC storage under pine. Differences in SOC stocks between tree species were mainly due to the particulate organic matter (not associated to mineral particles). Forest conversion from Pyrenean oak to Scots pine may contribute to enhance soil C sequestration, but only in form of mineral-unprotected soil organic matter.     

Aboveground biomass,transpiration and water use efficiency in eucalypt plantation fertilized with KCl,NaCl and phonolite rock powder

Potassium has important physiological functions in eucalypt plantations, increasing their productivity when applied to soil via mineral fertilizers. There is interest in identifying alternative sources to KCl owing to its high cost and limited reserves. The aim of the study was to test the effect of replacing KCl with NaCl and phonolite rock powder. Two comparisons were made: (1) application of 283 kg ha^?1 of KCl compared with that of 2125 kg ha^?1 of phonolite rock powder (equivalent to 170 kg ha^?1 of K₂O in both treatments); (2) application of 139 kg ha^?1 of NaCl compared with that of 183 kg ha^?1 of KCl (equivalent to 2.33 kmol Na and K, respectively). Radial growth, soil water content, leaf water potential (Ψ), accumulated transpiration, stem volume and biomass increment, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated. In the first comparison, both fertilizations presented equal values for all characteristics evaluated. In the second, the accumulated transpiration in trees fertilized with KCl was 17% higher than that in plants fertilized with NaCl. In contrast, the WUE was 20% higher in the trees fertilized with NaCl than in those fertilized with KCl, reflecting the lower water consumption for the same increment in stem volume and biomass. We conclude that phonolite rock powder and NaCl are possible substitutes for conventional K fertilization performed with KCl.

     

Does exceeding the critical loads for nitrogen alter nitrate leaching,the nutrient status of trees and their crown condition at Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research (LWF) sites?

Nitrogen (N) deposition exceeds the critical loads for this element in most parts of Switzerland apart from the Alps. At 17 sites (8 broadleaved stands, 8 coniferous stands, and 1 mixed stand) of the Swiss Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research network, we are investigating whether N deposition is associated with the N status of the forest ecosystems. N deposition, assessed from throughfall measurements, was related to the following indicators: (1) nitrate leaching below the rooting zone (measured on a subset of 9 sites); (2) the N nutrition of the forest stand based on foliar analyses (16 sites); and (3) crown defoliation, a non specific indicator of tree vitality (all 17 sites). Nitrate leaching ranging from about 2 to 16 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ was observed at sites subjected to moderate to high total N deposition (>10 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹). The C/N ratio of the soil organic layer, or, when it was not present, of the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil, together with the pool of organic carbon in the soil, played a critical role, as previous studies have also found. In addition, the humus type may need to be considered as well. For instance, little nitrate leaching (<2 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) was recorded at the Novaggio site, which is subjected to high total N deposition (>30 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) but characterized by a C/N ratio of 24, large organic C stocks, and a moder humus type. Foliar N concentrations correlated with N deposition in both broadleaved and coniferous stands. In half of the coniferous stands, foliar N concentrations were in the deficiency range. Crown defoliation tended to be negatively correlated with N concentrations in the needles. In the majority of the broadleaved stands, foliar N concentrations were in the optimum nutritional range or, on one beech plot with high total N deposition (>25 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹), above the optimum values. There was no correlation between the crown defoliation of broadleaved trees and foliar concentrations.     

Temporal change in carbon stocks of cocoa–gliricidia agroforests in Central Sulawesi,Indonesia

In a false-time series, the temporal development of cocoa–gliricidia carbon (C) stocks and soil organic carbon (SOC) were investigated in Napu and Palolo Valleys of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. As a first step, the Functional Branch Analysis (FBA) method was used to develop allometric equations for the above- and below-ground growth of cocoa and gliricidia. FBA resulted in shoot–root ratios of 2.54 and 2.05 for cocoa and gliricidia, respectively. In Napu and Palolo, the trunk diameter and carbon levels per gliricidia tree were always much greater than that of cocoa. The highest aerial carbon levels were attained at year four in Napu (aerial cocoa–gliricidia = 20,745.2 kg C ha⁻¹) and at year five in Palolo (aerial cocoa–gliricidia = 38,857.0 kg C ha⁻¹). After years four or five, however, the reduced stocking density of gliricidia attributed to a loss of aerial C. During the time spans in question, SOC remained fairly stable though slightly decreasing in Napu and slightly increasing in Palolo. The SOC harbored a vastly greater amount of system C (one-half and one-third of SOC in the 0–15 cm stratum in Napu and Palolo, respectively) relative to tree components. Eight years (Napu) or 15 years (Palolo) after conversion of a rainforest to cocoa–gliricidia agroforestry caused an 88% and 87% reduction of aerial C-stocks in Napu and Palolo, respectively.     

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.     

Biomass,and carbon and nitrogen pools in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China

Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest is the most widely distributed land-cover type in eastern China. As the rate of land-use change accelerates worldwide, it is becoming increasingly important to quantify ecosystem biomass and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools. Above and below-ground biomass and ecosystem pools of N and C in a subtropical secondary forest were investigated at Laoshan Mountain Natural Reserve, eastern China. Total biomass was 142.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for a young stand (18 years) and 421.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for a premature stand (ca. 60 years); of this, root biomass was from 26.9 (18.8% of the total) to 100.3 Mg ha⁻¹ (23.8%). Total biomass C and N pools were, respectively, 71.4 Mg ha⁻¹ and 641.6 kg ha⁻¹ in the young stand, and 217.0 Mg ha⁻¹ and 1387.4 kg ha⁻¹ in the premature stand. The tree layer comprised 91.8 and 89.4% of the total biomass C and N pools in the young stand, and 98.0 and 95.6% in the premature stand. Total ecosystem C and N pools were, respectively, 101.4 and 4.6 Mg ha⁻¹ for the young stand, and 260.2 and 6.6 Mg ha⁻¹ for the premature stand. Soil C comprised 23.8–29.6% of total ecosystem C whereas soil N comprised 76.9–84.4% of the total. Our results suggest that a very high percentage of N in this subtropical forest ecosystem is stored in the mineral soil, whereas the proportion of organic C in the soil pool is more variable. The subtropical forest in eastern China seems to rapidly accumulate biomass during secondary succession, which makes it a potentially rapid accumulator of, and large sink for, atmospheric C.     

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.     

Effects of long-term nitrogen addition and seasonal variation on soil faunal community structure in a temperate natural secondary forest

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition is changing soil communities around the world and will have unknown consequences for terrestrial ecosystem functions. In this study, we investigated a field experiment that lasted for 13 years to explore the effect of simulated N deposition and seasonal variations on the soil faunal community structure in a temperate natural secondary forest. The experimental design included a control group (0 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, CK), low N addition (25 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, LN), and high N addition (50 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, HN). The results showed that long-term high N addition reduced the soil pH, C/N ratio, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and increased the total phosphorus. The soil faunal community structure after high N addition was significantly different from those after the CK and low N addition treatments. The overall trend was that abundance and richness increased under low N addition and decreased under high N addition. Further analysis showed that the abundance of omnivores and detritivores was lowest after high N addition, significantly less than the CK and low N addition. The interaction of N addition and seasonal dynamics had a significant impact on herbivores. We found that these changes were driven by differences in ecological strategies such as food and environmental preferences. Furthermore, temperature, moisture, nutrients, and pH in the soil environment were the key factors driving ecological strategies and environmental factors. Seasonal variations significantly affected the soil faunal community structure, showing the highest abundance, richness, diversity, and functional group abundance and richness of the soil faunal community in September. Nitrogen addition and seasonal dynamics significantly affected the abundance and richness of soil fauna by changing soil nutrient concentrations, MBC, and plant diversity. Our study showed that long-term high N addition reduced the abundance and functional group abundance of the soil fauna in natural secondary forests, while low N addition had a positive effect on soil faunal community structure. Collectively, the results suggest that the seasonal balance of soil fauna is affected after long-term N addition, which increases the seasonal sensitivity of soil fauna.

     

Carbon pools in tree biomass and the soil in improved fallows in eastern Zambia

This study quantified tree and soil C stocks and their response to different tree species and clay contents in improved fallows in eastern Zambia. From 2002 to 2003, soil, and destructively harvested two-year old tree, samples were analysed for C. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in aboveground tree C stocks, and in net organic C (NOC) intake rates across coppicing tree species at Msekera and Kalunga. Aboveground C stocks ranged from 2.9 to 9.8 t ha^-1, equivalent to NOC intakes of 0.8–4.9 t ha^-1 year^-1. SOC stocks in non-coppiced fallows at Kalichero and Msekera significantly differed (P < 0.05) across treatments. SOC stocks to 200 cm depth ranged from 64.7 t C ha^-1 under non-coppicing fallows at Kalunga to 184.0 t ha^-1 in 10-year-old coppicing fallows at Msekera. Therefore, tree and soil C stocks in improved fallows can be increased by planting selected tree species on soils with high clay content.     

High organic carbon stock in a karstic soil of the Middle-European Forest Province persists after centuries-long agroforestry management

Little is known on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in karst areas worldwide, although many of them have seen long-term application of agroforestry systems with a potential for carbon sequestration. Therefore, our study aimed to assess landscape-level SOC concentration and stock in the Silica Plateau, a part of the Slovak Karst Biosphere Reserve located in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia) with a centuries-long agroforestry record. The most represented local soil units are Chromi-Rendzic Leptosols and Chromic Cambisols with clayey loam texture, C/N ratio 9–12, and $ {\text{pH}}_{{{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}}} $ 6.6–6.2 in their organo-mineral surface horizons. Mull surface humus form prevails under mixed forest stands dominated by hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), oak (Quercus petraea L.), and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). A total of 2,700 soil samples were collected from 150 soil pits. Both SOC concentrations and stocks were determined for the 0–60?cm mineral soil layer. Soil stoniness was accounted for by means of electrical resistivity tomography. According to the analysis of covariance, cropland SOC concentration (0.026?g?g^?1) is significantly lower compared to forestland (0.040?g?g^?1) and pastureland (0.041?g?g^?1) (P?<?0.01). During the period of 130?years after forest clearing, cropland SOC stock has been reduced at an exponential decay rate of ca 0.002?year^?1, while the SOC stock in pastureland has increased following land use change from cropland by approximately 30% during the same period of time. Irrespective of land use history, overall SOC stock is high reaching on average 207.4?Mg?ha^?1, out of which 66% are stored within 0–30?cm and 34% within 30–60?cm soil layers.     

Effect of tree species on carbon stocks in forest floor and mineral soil and implications for soil carbon inventories

Forest soil organic carbon (SOC) and forest floor carbon (FFC) stocks are highly variable. The sampling effort required to assess SOC and FFC stocks is therefore large, resulting in limited sampling and poor estimates of the size, spatial distribution, and changes in SOC and FFC stocks in many countries. Forest SOC and FFC stocks are influenced by tree species. Therefore, quantification of the effect of tree species on carbon stocks combined with spatial information on tree species distribution could improve insight into the spatial distribution of forest carbon stocks.We present a study on the effect of tree species on FFC and SOC stock for a forest in the Netherlands and evaluate how this information could be used for inventory improvement. We assessed FFC and SOC stocks in stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oak (Quercus robur) and larch (Larix kaempferi).FFC and SOC stocks differed between a number of species. FFC stocks varied between 11.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ (beech) and 29.6 Mg C ha⁻¹ (larch). SOC stocks varied between 53.3 Mg C ha⁻¹ (beech) and 97.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ (larch). At managed locations, carbon stocks were lower than at unmanaged locations. The Dutch carbon inventory currently overestimates FFC stocks. Differences in carbon stocks between conifer and broadleaf forests were significant enough to consider them relevant for the Dutch system for carbon inventory.     

Organic amendment and inorganic fertilization affect soil properties and quality of Larix olgensis bareroot stock

Bareroot Changbai larch (Larix olgensis Henry.) seedlings were reared with inorganic fertilizer (nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) = 1:1, W/W) applied at a rate of 100 (F100) or 200 kg N ha⁻¹ (F200) with (+) or without (−) chicken manure as a soil amendment (O) in north-eastern China. An unfertilized control treatment was included. Inorganic and organic fertilizer treatments tended to increase soil ammonium, nitrate, available P, total P, organic carbon content and electrical conductivity, and biomass and N concentration in seedlings. Organic amendment improved first order lateral root number, tap root length, fine root morphology (length, surface area, volume) in seedlings, while the F100 treatment increased N accumulation in needles and stems compared to the F200 treatment, on average. Most fertilizer treatments tended to increase P content in combined stems and roots, but F200 − O and F100 + O treatments diluted P in needles. Organic amendment combined with inorganic fertilizer at a rate of 100 kg N and P ha⁻¹ is recommended to improve seedling growth and N reserves in woody tissues.     

Simulation of carbon pool changes in woodlots in eastern Zambia using the CO2FIX model

Agroforestry systems have the potential to contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, data on tree and soil organic carbon (SOC) pools for most agroforestry systems are lacking because reliable methods for estimating ecosystem carbon (C) pools are scarce. This study quantified the effects of five Leucaena species (L. leucocephala, L. macrophylla, L. diversifolia, L. collinsii and L. pulverulenta) on vegetal and soil C stocks and on mean annual increment (MAI) in aboveground tree C stocks. Specifically, it tested the validity of the CO2FIX model using empirical data from 7?year-old woodlots at Msekera, Zambia, and assessed the impact of converting a degraded agricultural ecosystem to woodlots on C stocks. Measured above- and below-ground tree C stocks and MAI of aboveground biomass differed significantly among the Leucaena species. Measured stem and total aboveground tree C stocks in seven-year old woodlots ranged from 17.1 to 29.2 and from 24.5 to 55.9?Mg?ha^?1, respectively. Measured SOC stocks at 0?C200?cm depth in Leucaena stands ranged from 106.9 (L. diversifolia) to 186.0?Mg?ha^?1 (L. leucocephala). Modeled stem and branch C stocks closely matched measured stocks, but the soil module of CO2FIX did not predict the soil C. The soil C data are inconclusive at this stage. We recommend that a fractionation and a soil aggregate hierarchy study backed by C dating is carried out to explain soil C dynamics in these soils. However, the model can be used only for estimating changes in aboveground tree C stocks in woodlots until soil C module is proven to predict SOC stocks.     

Effects of afforestation on soil carbon and its fractions: a case study from the Loess Plateau,China

Afforestation has been implemented to reduce soil erosion and improve the environment of the Loess Plateau,China.Although it increased soil organic carbon(SOC),the stability of the increase is unknown.Additionally,the variations of soil inorganic carbon(SIC) following afforestation needs to be reconfirmed.After planting Robinia pseudoacacia,Pinus tabuliformis,and Hippophae rhamnoides on bare land on the Loess Plateau,total soil carbon(TSC) was measured and its two components,SIC and SOC,as well as the light and heavy fractions within SOC under bare lands and woodlands at the soil surface(0–20 cm).The results show that TSC on bare land was 24.5 Mg ha~(-1) and significantly increased to 51.6 Mg ha~(-1) for R.pseudoacacia,47.0 Mg ha~(-1) for P.tabuliformis and 39.9 Mg ha~(-1) for H.rhamnoides.The accumulated total soil carbon under R.pseudoacacia,P.tabuliformis,and H.rhamnoides,the heavy fraction(HFSOC) accounted for 65.2,31.7 and 76.2%,respectively; the light fraction(LF-SOC) accounted for 18.0,52.0 and 4.0%,respectively; SIC occupied 15.6,15.3 and 19.7%,respectively.The accumulation rates of TSC under R.pseudoacacia,P.tabuliformis,and H.rhamnoides reached159.5,112.4 and 102.5 g m~(-2) a~(-1),respectively.The results demonstrate that afforestation on bare land has high potential for soil carbon accumulation on the Loess Plateau.Among the newly sequestrated total soil carbon,the heavy fraction(HF-SOC) with a slow turnover rate accounted for a considerably high percentage,suggesting that significant sequestrated carbon can be stored in soils following afforestation.Furthermore,afforestation induces SIC sequestration.Although its contribution to TSC accumulation was less than SOC,overlooking it may substantially underestimate the capacity of carbon sequestration after afforestation on the Loess Plateau.     

Nutrient cycling and soil leaching in eighteen pure and mixed stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies)

Studies on the combined effects of beech–spruce mixtures are very rare. Hence, forest nutrition (soil, foliage) and nutrient fluxes via throughfall and soil solution were measured in adjacent stands of pure spruce, mixed spruce–beech and pure beech on three nutrient rich sites (Flysch) and three nutrient poor sites (Molasse) over a 2-year period. At low deposition rates (highest throughfall fluxes: 17 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 5 kg S ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) there was hardly any linkage between nutrient inputs and outputs. Element outputs were rather driven by internal N (mineralization, nitrification) and S (net mineralization of organic S compounds, desorption of historically deposited S) sources. Nitrate and sulfate seepage losses of spruce–beech mixtures were higher than expected from the corresponding single-species stands due to an unfavorable combination of spruce-similar soil solution concentrations coupled with beech-similar water fluxes on Flysch, while most processes on Molasse showed linear responses. Our data show that nutrient leaching through the soil is not simply a “wash through” but is mediated by a complex set of reactions within the plant–soil system.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus leaching after site preparation at a boreal forest clear-cut area

Clear-cutting followed by mechanical site preparation is the major disturbance influencing nutrient and water fluxes in Fennoscandian boreal forests. The effects of soil harrowing on the fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved nitrogen compounds (organic N, NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) and water soluble phosphorus (PO₄³⁻) through a podzolic soil were studied in a clear-cut in eastern Finland for 5 years. The old, mixed coniferous stand was clear-cut and stem only harvested in 1996 followed by soil harrowing in 1998 and planting in June 1999. Zero-tension lysimeters were used to collect soil water from below different soil horizons in the three types of microsites that resulted from site preparation treatment: low ridges (25% of clear-cut area), shallow furrows (30%) and the undisturbed soil (45%). After soil harrowing, the leaching of DOC, N and P from below the B-horizon increased compared to pre-treatment levels. However, the increases were short-lasting; 1–2 years for inorganic N and P, and 5 years for DOC and organic N. The highest concentrations were associated with the ridges and lowest with the furrows, reflecting the differences in amount of organic matter present in each microsite type and, for N, to enhanced mineralization and nitrification. Leaching from below the B-horizon over the 5 years following soil harrowing for the whole clear-cut area was 36.5 kg ha⁻¹ for DOC, 0.88 kg ha⁻¹ for NH₄-N, 0.46 kg ha⁻¹ for NO₃-N, 1.24 kg ha⁻¹ for organic N and 0.09 kg ha⁻¹ for PO₄-P. Site preparation increased temporarily the risk for nutrient leaching into watercourses and groundwater from the clear-cut area but soil fertility was not affected since the leached amounts remained small. The main reasons for the observed low leaching values were the rapid recovery of ground vegetation and low N deposition loads.     

Fine root production and turnover in Brazilian Eucalyptus plantations under contrasting nitrogen fertilization regimes

Nitrogen fertilization increased largely over the last decade in tropical eucalypt plantations but the behaviour of belowground tree components has received little attention. Sequential soil coring and ingrowth core methods were used in a randomized block experiment, from 18 to 32 months after planting Eucalyptus grandis, in Brazil, in order to estimate annual fine root production and turnover under contrasting N fertilization regimes (120 kg N ha⁻¹ vs. 0 kg N ha⁻¹). The response of growth in tree height and basal area to N fertilizer application decreased with stand age and was no longer significant at 36 months of age. The ingrowth core method provided only qualitative information about the seasonal course of fine root production and turnover. Mean fine root biomasses (diameter <2 mm) in the 0–30 cm layer measured by monthly coring amounted to 0.91 and 0.84 t ha⁻¹ in the 0 N and the 120 N treatments, respectively. Fine root production was significantly higher in the 0 N treatment (1.66 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) than in the 120 N treatment (1.12 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), probably as a result of the greater tree growth in the control treatment throughout the sampling period. Fine root turnover was 1.8 and 1.3 year⁻¹ in the 0 N and the 120 N treatments, respectively. However, large fine root biomass (diameter <1 mm) was found down to a depth of 3 m one year after planting: 1.67 and 1.61 t ha⁻¹ in the 0 N and the 120 N treatments, respectively. Fine root turnover might not be insubstantial in deep soil layers where large changes in soil water content were observed.     

Profiles of carbon stocks in forest, reforestation and agricultural land, Northern Thailand

A study was conducted to assess carbon stocks in various forms and land-use types and reliably estimate the impact of land use on C stocks in the Nam Yao sub-watershed (19°05'10"N, 100°37'02"E), Thailand. The carbon stocks of aboveground, soil organic and fine root within primary forest, reforestation and agricultural land were estimated through field data collection. Results revealed that the amount of total carbon stock of forests (357.62 ± 28.51 Mg·ha-1, simplified expression of Mg (carbon)·ha-1) was significantly greater (P＜ 0.05) than the reforestation (195.25 ±14.38 Mg·ha-1) and the agricultural land (103.10±18.24 Mg·ha-1). Soil organic carbon in the forests (196.24 ±22.81 Mg·ha-1) was also significantly greater (P＜ 0.05) than the reforestation (146.83± 7.22 Mg·ha-1) and the agricultural land (95.09 ± 14.18 Mg·ha-1). The differences in carbon stocks across land-use types are the primary consequence of variations in the vegetation biomass and the soil organic matter. Fine root carbon was a small fraction of carbon stocks in all land-use types. Most of the soil organic carbon and fine root carbon content was found in the upper 40-cm layer and decreased with soil depth. The aboveground carbon(soil organic carbon: fine root carbon ratios (ABGC: SOC: FRC), was 5:8:1, 2:8:1, and 3:50:1 for the forest, reforestation and agricultural land, respectively. These results indicate that a relatively large proportion of the C loss is due to forest conversion to agricultural land. However, the C can be effectively recaptured through reforestation where high levels of C are stored in biomass as carbon sinks, facilitating carbon dioxide mitigation.     

Modelling soil organic carbon turnover in improved fallows in eastern Zambia using the RothC-26.3 model

Scarcity of simple and reliable methods of estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover and lack of data from long-term experiments make it difficult to estimate attainable soil C sequestration in tropical improved fallows. Testing and validating existing and widely used SOC models would help to determine attainable C storage in fallows. The Rothamsted C (RothC) model, therefore, was tested using empirical data from improved fallows at Msekera in eastern Zambia. This study (i) determined the effects of nitrogen fixing tree (NFT) species on aboveground organic C inputs to the soil and SOC stocks, (ii) estimated annual net organic C inputs to the soil using the RothC, and (iii) tested the performance of RothC model using empirical data from improved fallows. Soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from coppicing and non-coppicing fallow experiments in October 2002 for determination of SOC by LECO CHN-1000 analyser. Data on surface litter, maize and weed biomasses, and on weather, were supplied by the Zambia/ICRAF Agroforestry Project. Measured SOC stocks to 20 cm depth ranged from 32.2 to 37.8 t ha⁻¹ in coppicing fallows and 29.5 to 30.1 t ha⁻¹ in non-coppicing fallows compared to 22.2–26.2 t ha⁻¹ in maize monoculture systems. Coppicing fallows accumulated more SOC (680–1150 g m⁻² year⁻¹) than non-coppicing fallows (410–789 g m⁻² year⁻¹). While treatments with NFTs accumulated more SOC than NFT-free systems, SOC stocks increased with increasing tree biomass production and tree rotation. For food security and C sequestration, coppicing fallows are a potentially viable option.     

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics Followed by a Forest-to-pasture Conversion in Western Mexico

Gains and losses of soil carbon (C), have been reported when tropical forests are converted to pastures. Regional studies are crucial for setting regional baselines and explaining each particular trend, in order to solve this controversy. Tropical deciduous forest (TDF) is under high deforestation pressure, mainly for conversion to pastures. The present study compared soil organic C (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) in the surface layer (0–5 cm) of forest and pasture soils in a TDF of western Mexico. SOC and SON concentrations were 18 and 60% lower in pasture soils than in forest soils, and C:N ratio increased in pasture soils. Furthermore, pasture soils had lower labile C and available inorganic nitrogen (N) than forest soils. These results can be explained as a reduction in C inputs to pasture soils and management-induced disruption of soil aggregates. In forest soils, macroaggregates (> 250 μm) were predominant (85%), whereas in pasture soils they were reduced to 35% of dry sand-free soil mass. The estimated SOC and SON losses from the top 5 cm of soil were 3 Mg C ha⁻¹ and 0.9 Mg N ha⁻¹, respectively.