Impacts of plantation forest management on soil organic matter quality

Purpose  

Light fraction soil organic matter is characterized by rapid mineralization due to the labile nature of its chemical constituents and to the lack of protection by soil colloids. The changes in the size of light fraction soil organic matter constituents are useful early indicators of management-related carbon (C) and nutrient changes. However, previous studies have not assessed the impacts of forest management practices on the chemical composition and sources of organic matter in the light fraction. The change in the chemistry of light fraction soil organic matter may significantly affect turnover rate of organic matter in the whole soil and soil fertility. The aim of this study was to assess how different forest management practices would affect the chemical composition of light fraction soil organic matter.