The influence of some forest operations on the sustainable management of forest soils-- a review

This review paper describes the nature and scale of changesto forest soils brought about by forestry operations. A relativelynon-technical approach is adopted with the aim of stimulatingdebate within as wide an audience as possible. The paper doesnot aim to be exhaustive but rather a position statement. Areaswhere further study is required are highlighted. The concept of sustainability is explored in relation to forestsoils, and the condition highlighted is that impacts of forestmanagement operations should not, in the long term, exceed thecapacity of soil to recover by natural processes (e.g. erosionlosses should not exceed soil formation rates, nutrient removalsshould not exceed nutrient inputs etc.). Soil erosion, nutrientremoval, compaction, and changes in organic matter content andsoil water status are identified as the most important processesinvolved in the impacts of management. The impacts of some of the more intensive forest managementregimes on soil compaction, nutrient removal and erosion ratesappear to be of similar magnitude to the recovery capacity ofsoils. Where the most intensive forms of forest operation areused on susceptible sites some degree of long-term soil degradationappears to be likely, and it can be regarded as valid to describesuch management practices as unsustainable. However, the scaleof occurrence of such management is probably relatively modest,and decreasing. On less susceptible sites, and where less intensiveforms of management are employed, impacts on soils are low enoughfor management to be regarded as sustainable, and are oftenless than under pre-existing land uses. Compaction caused byheavy harvesting and extraction machinery, nutrient depletionresulting from whole tree harvesting on infertile sites whererotations are short, and erosion following cultivation and harvestingon erodible soils are the greatest causes of concern. Compliancewith recent Forestry Commission guidelines should lead to lowerimpacts than those recorded during recent decades. However,rotation-length audits of the impacts of different forest managementregimes on a range of site types are needed before definitivestatements about the sustainability of management operationscan be made.     

Farms, fires, and forestry: Disturbance legacies in the soils of the Northwest Wisconsin (USA) Sand Plain

We studied the long-term effects of disturbance within the Northwest Wisconsin (USA) Sand Plain (NWSP), an ecoregion that is characterized by very sandy soil and an active disturbance history that includes fire, agriculture and industrial forestry, largely clearcut logging of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and aspen (Populus spp.). Open “barrens” communities on this landscape were formerly maintained by fire, and are a high conservation priority. Hill's Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis) can also dominate forest canopies, while blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), and sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) are common shrub species. We structured a field sampling design with a spatial-temporal database built from historic airphotos (1938 and 1997) and fire records to examine whether soil organic matter and nutrients vary with disturbance history in the nonforest habitats of the sand plain. We sampled soils along 83 transects, randomly stratified among five sampled classes: (1) nonforest-farming history; (2) nonforest-fire history; (3) nonforest-clearcut only history; (4) evergreen forest of jack pine and red pine (P. resinosa); and (5) deciduous forest of Hill's oak and aspen. Logging of the original forest took place in the late 1800s–early 1900s. The farms were abandoned between 1938 and 1960, and the most recent fire occurred in 1977. Thus, the duration of the agricultural legacy is approximately 45–65 years while observed fire effects have lasted for 26 years.We observed strong agricultural legacies, including high P and low OM, N and Ca. One possible explanation for the N legacy is that it is tied to soil OM accretion which may be driven by plant growth. We detected no difference in mean values for any of the soil properties between soils from nonforested areas within the Five-Mile fire and soils from nonforested areas with a clearcut-only history. We did observe a fire effect in high variance for soil P. This could have resulted from variations in fire severity and ash convection and deposition.Forest soils generally had lower pH than the nonforest soils, and the deciduous forest soils had the lowest pH and also very low Ca. We also observed high within-transect coefficient of variation for Ca in the forest soils.We conclude that agriculture is a qualitatively different disturbance-type than fire or clearcutting, that disturbance legacies tend to be most persistent with geologically stable elements, such as P, and that management and conservation planning within the NWSP would benefit from site-specific agricultural history, as well as attention to Ca.     

The North American long-term soil productivity experiment: Findings from the first decade of research

First decade findings on the impacts of organic matter removal and soil compaction are reported for the 26 oldest installations in the nation-wide network of long-term soil productivity sites. Complete removal of surface organic matter led to declines in soil C concentration to 20 cm depth and to reduced nutrient availability. The effect is attributed mainly to the loss of the forest floor. Soil C storage seemed undiminished, but could be explained by bulk density changes following disturbance and to decomposition inputs of organic C from roots remaining from the harvested forest. Biomass removal during harvesting had no influence on forest growth through 10 years. Soil compaction effects depended upon initial bulk density. Soils with densities greater than 1.4 Mg m⁻³ resisted compaction. Density recovery was slow, particularly on soils with frigid temperature regimes. Forest productivity response to soil compaction depended both on soil texture and the degree of understory competition. Production declined on compacted clay soils, increased on sands, and generally was unaffected if an understory was absent.     

杉木、马尾松、甜槠等林分下土壤养分状况研究

对中等立地上杉木、马尾松,甜槠等林分的土壤养分状况进行了综合比较,结果表明：不同林分对土壤有机质及矿质养分的影响不尽相同,阔叶林能增加土壤有机质积累,改善土壤养分状部;马尾松林对提高土壤有效性Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ含量具有一定作用,特别是对提高有效Ｐ作用很大;杉木纯林不利于改善土壤养分状况及土壤理化性质;针阔混交林能改良土壤养分状况,尤其能较好地改良土壤有效性微量元素状况,防止地方衰退,有利于林业持续发展,另     

Potential use of wood ash in South African forestry: a review

The use of landfills as a disposal method for wood ash is costly, environmentally detrimental and is pitted against increasingly stern environmental regulations. Literature has shown that wood ash has the potential to be used as a forest fertiliser and the effects tend to be highly site-specific. Wood ash contains a combination of carbonates, hydroxides and other calcium-containing minerals that are responsible for the liming effect observed following application to soils. In addition, it contains significant magnesium and potassium concentrations, but little nitrogen and sulphur. The phosphorus availability of wood ash varies considerably and in effect can limit soil phosphorus uptake and may affect subsequent nutrient balance in plants. Short-rotation forestry practices and whole-tree harvest systems can induce periodic or persisting nutrient deficiencies and acidify the soil. This may affect the ability of a site to sustain adequate nutrient levels over successive rotations. Utilising wood ash as a soil amendment can offset or correct some nutrient deficiencies and imbalances induced by intensively managed plantation forests. This review covers the international literature on ash applications to forest land, including the effect of ash-beds remaining after slash burning (as a useful analogy for the effects of wood ash on soil properties and tree growth). The results show that ash applications to forest land can be done safely and can potentially stimulate microbial activity and improve pine and eucalypt growth. Safe ash application rates should be determined after consideration of (1) soil buffer capacity and ash alkalinity (expressed as calcium carbonate equivalence) and (2) an evaluation of the concentrations of heavy metals existing in soils and present in the available ash, particularly from cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic.     

Water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity in sandy cambisols: impacts of forest transformation on soil hydrological properties

Soil hydrological properties like infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity have important consequences for hydrological properties of soils in river catchments and for flood risk prevention. They are dynamic properties due to varying land use management practices. The objective of this study was to characterize the variation of infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity and soil organoprofile development on forest sites with comparable geological substrate, soil type and climatic conditions, but different stand ages and tree species in terms of the effects of forest transformation upon soil hydrological properties. The Kahlenberg forest area (50 km northeast of Berlin in the German northeastern lowlands) under investigation contains stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) of different age structures forming a transformation chronosequence from pure Scots pine stands towards pure European beech stands. The water infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity (K) of the investigated sandy-textured soils are low and very few macropores exist. Additionally these pores are marked by poor connectivity and therefore do not have any significant effect on water infiltration rate. Moreover, water infiltration in these soils is impeded by their hydrophobic properties. Along the experimental chronosequence of forest transformation, the thickness of the forest floor layer decreases due to enhanced decomposition and humification intensities. By contrast, the thickness of the humous topsoil increases. Presumably, changes in soil organic matter storage and quality caused by the management practice of forest transformation affect the persistence and degree of water repellency in the soil, which in turn influences the hydraulic properties of the experimental soils. The results indicate clearly that soils play a crucial role for water retention and therefore, in overland flow prevention. There is a need to have more awareness on the intimate link between the land use and soil properties and their possible effects on flooding.     

The value of six key soil variables for incorporation into a South African forest site classification system

The intensive nature of management practices in the exotic monoculture plantations of South Africa requires reliable decision support systems. Recent socio-economic developments, the need for optimal forest productivity, as well as increasing awareness of broader ecosystem values and environmental risks, highlight the importance of a unified approach to forest site classification and evaluation. This paper highlights the value of specific soil characteristics and its application value for a range of silviculture and management aspects related to site-specific forestry. A limited set of six soil variables are proposed for ecological mapping of forest landscapes at high-resolution operational-level scales. The variables proposed are parent material, soil classification, effective soil depth, depth limiting material, topsoil organic matter and topsoil texture. Each variable is discussed in terms of its significance as well as relevance to plantation forestry in South Africa. Shortcomings in our knowledge base and research requirements are highlighted, and the format of incorporation into a national forest site classification system is proposed. This paper will contribute to unity of purpose and understanding of forest site classification and evaluation in South Africa, and will promote management frameworks and decision support systems with desired environmental, economic and social benefits.     

Changes in soil acidity and organic matter following the establishment of conifers on former grassland in New Zealand

Effects of a land use change from grassland to coniferous plantation forestry (Pseudotsuga menzieii [Douglas fir]; Pinus radiata [radiata pine]) on soil acidity and organic matter were assessed at two sites in New Zealand. The sites differed with respect to soils, climate, vegetation cover and type, relative maturity and management of the forest stands. Results obtained at the different sites were, therefore, not directly comparable, although they represented a comparison of a similar change in land use and some overall trends were evident. The change from grassland to conifers decreased levels of organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations and increased exchangeable acidity in the upper 20–30 cm of soil. Exchangeable aluminium and exchangeable acidity were more sensitive measures of the effects of afforestation on soil acidity than pH.     

Mineral cycling processes and system stability in the eucalypt forest

The effects of disturbance on the stability of the eucalypt forest are considered in terms of Bormann and Likens' (1979) schema of reorganisation, aggradation, transition and steady state phases of secondary succession.The difficulties of making reliable estimates of ecosystem nutrient reserves are discussed against a background of anisotropic nutrient distribution, inadequate knowledge of the volume of soil effectively exploited by roots, and the limitations of existing techniques for soil chemical analysis. The relative significance of the atmosphere and parent material for the accumulation of nutrient reserves is outlined and the overriding importance of the latter on soil phosphorus capital in the eucalypt forest is emphasised.The capacity of forest ecosystems to restrict changes in the ionic concentration of percolating soil water is indicated and some important facets of nutrient dynamics are described. Spatial and temporal patterns of substrate availability and microbial activity greatly complicate the measurement of organic matter decomposition and nutrient flux on the forest floor. Adaptations of eucalypts potentially significant in mineral cycling are mentioned.The role of natural agents of disturbance as determinants of pattern in plant communities is indicated, and the effects of man-induced disturbances such as clearcutting, burning of logging debris, and hazard reduction burning are discussed in the context of biogeochemical cycling. The importance of close operational control of management practices is stressed, together with the need for appropriate measures of functional stability.     

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.     

Long-term soil potassium availability from a Kanhapludult to an aggrading loblolly pine ecosystem

A long-term (1962 to 1990) forest biogeochemistry study in the southeastern Piedmont of the USA provided estimates of soil K release in response to forest regrowth. We investigated the sources of soil K that buffered the exchangeable K pools during forest growth and we estimated soil K release rates through greenhouse and acid extraction studies for comparison to our field estimate.

In these acid Kanhapludults, derived from granitic-gneiss, the disparity between measured depletions of soil exchangeable K and estimated forest removals indicated a buffering of exchangeable K on the order of 0.31 kmol_c ha⁻¹ per year. Non-exchangeable K extracted by boiling with 1 M HNO₃ exceeded exchangeable K by up to 40-fold. Non-exchangeable K was not depleted during the three decades of stand growth, however, thus was not the long-term source of exchangeable K buffering. Total K in these soils ranged from 0.4 to 3.8% by weight. Mineralogical data indicated a presence of hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite throughout the upper 4 m of soil for <2 μm clay fraction and a presence of micaceous minerals in the 2 to 45 μm silt fraction. XRD analysis of micaceous flakes extracted from 4 to 8 m in the soil indicated a presence of muscovite mica.

Estimated K releases in the greenhouse and extraction studies were generally consistent with long-term results. The accumulation of K during two rotations of pine seedling growth in the greenhouse exceeded the measured depletions in exchangeable and non-exchangeable K over all soil depths tested by 0.007 to 0.026 cmol_c kg⁻¹. Potassium removal by sequential extraction/incubations with 1 mM HCl and 1 mM oxalic acid continued through 24 extractions and K recovered in extract solutions exceeded the sum of depletions in exchangeable and non-exchangeable K pools by 0.001 to 0.028 cmol_c kg⁻¹. These excess removals in plant uptake or solution recovery indicate a release of mineral K. Thirty-day extractions with H⁺-resins in both 1 mM HCl and 1 mM oxalic acid were well fit by the Elovich equation but were not well correlated with plant K uptake in the greenhouse study. The release rate coefficients ranged from 0.012 to 0.025(cmol_c kg⁻¹) h⁻¹.

Extrapolations to annual releases of K in the greenhouse and sequential extraction studies were a similar order of magnitude as long-term releases estimated at the long-term Calhoun plots. Surface soil (0 to 15 cm) releases ranged from 0.15 to 0.65 kmol_c ha⁻¹per year while deeper soils ranged up to 1.54 kmol_c ha⁻¹per year. Results indicate that soils similar to those at Calhoun that contain a similar micaceous and HIV component will be able to supply K at rates adequate to keep pace with demands of forest regrowth even under intensive forest management.     

沙质土壤植物性节水保肥材料研究与应用

干旱区沙质土壤缺乏矿物质和有机胶体、漏水漏肥,是沙区植被修复和生态林业建设的主要障碍,与此同时随着生态建设和林草业的发展产生了大量的植物性有机废弃物。因此,回收利用林业剩余物,研发植物性节水保肥材料,改良干旱区风沙土,具有恢复退化土地和回收有机物料的双重意义。文中概述了植物性节水保肥材料在荒漠化防治特别是沙漠林业开发中的重要性,综述了植物性节水保肥材料种类和发展史,对比国内外研究和应用有机物料改良沙质土壤的趋势和特点,从林业剩余物利用和荒漠化防治等领域提出了研发建议。     

The interaction between organic layer and forest growth and forest development on former heathland

Heathland soils are characterized by high acidity and poor nutrient contents. Nutrient availability could then be an important factor in forest growth and development on these soils. The hypothesis to be verified was 1. The enduring change in vegetation composition and production is of great influence especially on the development of the organic layer and on the nutrient distribution between this compartment and the mineral soil, and 2. As a result, forest nutrition and water supply will change during forest growth with consequences for forest development itself. In NW Germany heathland forest development are dominated by heathlands as the initial stage of the succession, naturally established pioneering pine dominated woodlands, and oak and beech dominated forests as the terminal stages. In a comparative study, within these stages of forest succession the nutrient and water supply in the organic layer were investigated with regards to the nutrient and water supply in the mineral soil and to the morphology of the organic layer itself. The successional development was associated with an increased productivity and a marked enrichment of organic material and nutrients in the organic layer, whereas the nutrient storage in the mineral soil was unchanged. The nutrient storage in the organic layer in the forested sites amounted to up to 80% of the plant-available nutrients within the organic layer–mineral soil system. The water supply increased too due to higher water storage and increasing root penetration within the organic layer. However, the increase in water supply was less marked than the nutrient enrichment. Especially the beech-dominated broad-leaved forests depend on higher nutrient and water supply of the organic layer. They have better growth conditions in the late stages of succession, due to an intense humus accumulation by the pioneering birch–pine woodlands. Consequently, the development of the organic layer facilitates the change of coniferous woodlands to forests and woodlands dominated by broad-leaved trees. Using pine as first planted tree is recommended to support this development.     

Potential effects of management practices on nitrogen nutrition and long-term productivity of western hemlock stands

The FORCYTE-10 computer model, developed by J.P. Kimmins and K. Scoullar for Douglas-fir forests in British Columbia, was modified to simulate growth and nutrient cycling of coastal western hemlock stands. Initial calibration indicated that predicted yield was extremely sensitive to the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM), variation in SOM C:N ratio with site quality, the soil extractable NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺ ratio, and the decomposition rate and N mineralization pattern of large and medium-size roots and woody debris. The predictions suggested that yield and SOM remain stable under a management system consisting of six successive 90-year rotations. More intensive utilization (e.g., shorter rotations, whole-tree harvesting and commercial thinning) causes depletion of soil and forest floor nitrogen and a small decline in site productivity in later rotations.     

不同森林植被下土壤微生物量碳和易氧化态碳的比较

土壤碳库平衡是土壤肥力保持的重要内容[1].不同森林类型,由于其凋落物数量、类组及分解行为不同,因而形成的土壤碳库大小与特征将存在较大差别.常绿阔叶林、马尾松(Pinus massoniana Lamp.)林、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.)Hook.)林和毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis(Carr.)H.de Lehaie)林是我国亚热带最主要的4种森林类型.     

Influence of forest growth on former heathland on nutrient input and its consequences for nutrition and management of heath and forest

The low nutrient supply of heathland soils is often insufficient for the nutrient demand of growing forests and woodlands, and additional atmospheric input of nutrients is beneficial for the tree growth. On old heathland soils tree species influencing nutrient input with regard to higher amounts have competitive benefits on the early stages of succession and/or as first planted trees with consequences for both the successional development and the nutrition and management of heathland and forests. In three stages of heathland forest succession on highly acidified and nutrient poor soil, the influence of the canopies of a Calluna heathland, a pioneering birch-pine woodland, and a terminal oak-beech forest on nutrient input was investigated. Of all investigated species Scots pine has the highest interception of water and nutrients (N, K, Ca, Mg). As a consequence, the nutrient input into the pioneering birch-pine forest is the highest of the three types of ecosystems. This ability to meliorate the nutrient supply by increasing the nutrient input favours pine in the early stages of the succession. The enhanced nutrient input and accumulation within the young successional forest ecosystems involves two different succession and/or management considerations depending upon the further ecosystem development.

• 1.The increasing nutrient availability mitigates the negative influence of the highly acidified nutrient poor soil on the growth of oak and beech and facilitates the conversion of pine dominated woodlands and forests into forests dominated by broadleaved species.
• 2.For regeneration of heathland from naturally established pine woodlands and forests, deforestation have to be combined with techniques of nutrient impoverishment of the soil.

     

A nutrient balance sheet for Agathis dammara warb. plantation forest under various management conditions in Central Java,Indonesia

A nutrient balance sheet is presented for Agathis dammara Warb. plantation forest growing on andesitic volcanic soils of intermediate fertility in south central Java, Indonesia, in rotations of 40 years. Inputs of nutrients from atmospheric and geological sources are compared with losses through various harvesting regimes, agricultural intercropping during the first two years after planting and deep seepage. It is concluded from the data presented, that whole-tree harvesting should not be practised, to avoid future shortages of nutrients, especially of phosphorus. The adjustment of management practices to prevailing socio-economic conditions, by using a controlled taungya system at planting time as well as allowing some harvesting of felling debris (branches) for fuel-wood, is acceptable from a nutrient point of view. However, care needs to be taken to minimize losses due to erosion during the intercropping phase. Shortening of rotations will increase nutrient losses mainly through increased site disturbance.     

Soil community composition and ecosystem processes: Comparing agricultural ecosystems with natural ecosystems

Soil organisms play principal roles in several ecosystem functions, i.e. promoting plant productivity, enhancing water relations, regulating nutrient mineralisation, permitting decomposition, and acting as an environmental buffer. Agricultural soils would more closely resemble soils of natural ecosystems if management practices would reduce or eliminate cultivation, heavy machinery, and general biocides; incorporate perennial crops and organic material; and synchronise nutrient release and water availability with plant demand. In order to achieve these goals, research must be completed to develop methods for successful application of organic materials and associated micro-organisms, synchronisation of management practices with crop and soil biota phenology, and improve our knowledge of the mechanisms linking species to ecosystem processes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth,forest floor,and soil chemical analysis comparison between two management practices in chestnut forests of Greece

The effects of management mode and intensity both on growth parameters (diameter and height of sprouts) and soil fertility were studied in experimental plots in coppice chestnut forests of Athos and Pelion mountains – Greece. The empirical management practice applied in Athos is intensive with a rotation period every 20–22 years, including removal of timber products during selective loggings and final clear-cut loggings. The management type applied in Pelion by the Forest Service is more flexible (much longer rotation period) with remaining in situ of plant residues. The soils of both areas were originated by the same parent material (gneiss), they have loamy texture, similar bulk density values, and they are acidic. Higher values of diameter and height of sprouts were observed in Athos compared to Pelion (statistically significant differences). Pelion soils presented higher levels of soil fertility, i.e., in forest floor higher organic matter and nutrients content (significant differences for P, Ca, Na, Cu, and Mn), and in soil higher levels of N, Ca, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and organic matter (significant differences for N, Cu, Mn, and organic matter). The findings of this work could be an important tool to the perspective of chestnut forests management practices.     

Organic matter amendments to a calcareous forest nursery soil

Organic amendments were added to a southwestern United States forest nursery sandy loam soil to determine the effects on soil nutrient reserves and subsequent growth of 1.5+0 ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) seedlings. Treatments included irradiated sewage sludge, peat moss and pine bark each at 67 t/ha, sawdust at 43 t/ha, and a control that received no organic matter. Sludge caused immediate increases in soil nutrients, especially N and P. Sawdust resulted in near complete N immobilization 45 d after application. Peat moss and bark did not significantly alter soil nutrients. All treatment effects disappeared within 6 months of application.Amendments did not significantly alter seedling survival, biomass or yield (caliper 3 mm). Seedling biomass was positively correlated with early soil nutrient status, but growth was not significantly improved. The modest, short-term nutritional benefits indicate single applications of organic amendments are ineffective in improving the nutrient status of sandy nursery soils of the Southwest.