The effects of vegetation control and fertilization on net nutrient release from decomposing loblolly pine needles

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2491-2502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevzat Gurlevik ◽  
Daniel L Kelting ◽  
H Lee Allen
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Available N ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Needle Litter ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

This study examined the effects of vegetation control and nitrogen + phosphorus fertilization on decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) needle litter. Needle litter was placed in litterbags and left to decompose on the forest floor, and changes in mass loss and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, B, Cu) concentrations and contents were observed at 2- to 6-month intervals for 32 months. Fertilization had no effect on mass loss, while vegetation control resulted in a warmer and drier forest floor and led to reduced mass loss (k = 0.39 and 0.28 year–1 for fertilization and vegetation control, respectively). Concentrations of N, P, Ca, S, Zn, and Cu in the decomposing litter increased two- to three-fold over the 32 months, while concentrations of K, Mg, Mn, and B declined, increased, or did not change depending on time and treatment. Based on the release dynamics, the nutrient mobility series was as follows: Cu [Formula: see text] N [Formula: see text] S < P < Zn [Formula: see text] Ca < K [Formula: see text] Mn < Mg [Formula: see text] B. Fertilization had no effect on release dynamics; however, vegetation control reduced release of N, P, S, and Zn, and increased release of B. The mineral soil may be the main source of plant available N and P in midrotation southern pine stands based on the slow release of these elements from decomposing needle litter.

Wildfire alters belowground and surface wood decomposition on two national forests in Montana, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah S. Page-Dumroese ◽  
Martin F. Jurgensen ◽  
Chris A. Miller ◽  
James B. Pickens ◽  
Joanne M. Tirocke
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Surface And Interface ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Bitterroot National Forest

Wildfires can drastically alter belowground processes such as organic matter (OM) decomposition. We used wood stakes of two different tree species, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), placed at three soil locations (soil surface, forest floor–mineral soil interface, mineral soil), as an index of the long-term (5-year) effects of wildfire on OM decomposition in two forest stands after high-severity wildfire and in an unburned control. Wood stake mass loss was generally higher for aspen, especially in the mineral soil of burned plots, than in control plots after 5 years. Soil surface and interface (unburned stands only) stakes showed few significant differences for either species on the Bitterroot National Forest. On the Gallatin National Forest, both pine and aspen stakes had significantly greater mass loss at the interface (unburned stand) at the end of 5 years, and also decayed significantly faster at the 10–20-cm depth in the wildfire area. Using wood stakes as an index of soil microsite properties in burned and unburned plots, we show that fire increased both OM decomposition and mineral soil microsite variability. These results strengthen our understanding of soil-surface and belowground ecosystem responses to wildfire.

Postharvest forest floor manipulation effects on nutrient dynamics in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantation

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 1058-1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose L. Zerpa ◽  
H. Lee Allen ◽  
Blair C. McLaughlin ◽  
Jennifer Phelan ◽  
Robert G. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Nutrient Pool ◽  
Available N ◽  
Positive Effects

The synchronization of nutrient release and demand in early stand establishment is important to maximizing resource use in forest plantations. We explored the impacts of forest floor manipulations on the dynamics of forest floor and mineral soil nutrient pools in a Pinus taeda L. plantation in North Carolina prior to and during 2 years following harvest and replanting. We present a novel method to estimate forest floor decomposition that avoids the exclusion of large detritivores. Decomposition and nutrient release rates from the forest floor were higher than rates typically observed in older stands (averaging 81% mass loss and 75% N loss across treatments over the 2-year period), highlighting the potential importance of the forest floor nutrient pool in early stand nutrition. Doubling the forest floor increased available C, N, and P pools in the mineral soil 46%, 47%, and 49%, respectively. Incorporating the forest floor into mineral soil through mixing had only transient positive effects on nutrient pools. Across treatments, an expected postharvest flush of soil available N was observed; however, removing the forest floor caused an earlier flush of available N in comparison with the control treatment, and doubling the forest floor caused a year delay in maximum N availability, better synchronizing the site’s available N with stand demand.

scholarly journals Loblolly Pine—Pushing the Limits of Growth

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Borders ◽  
Robert L. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Annual Increment ◽  
Complete Control ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Yield Production ◽  
The World ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Production Areas

Abstract With mean annual increments up to 5.4 cords/ac/yr, six loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) research sites in Georgia produced yields on par with other results from intensively managed loblolly plantations around the world. Cultural treatments in the Georgia study include complete control of vegetation other than the planted pines with multiple applications of herbicide, annual fertilization, the combination of complete vegetation control and annual fertilization, and an intensive mechanical site preparation treatment. Complete vegetation control resulted in higher yield production at ages 10 to 12 yr than the intensive mechanical treatment at all locations. This regime also resulted in higher yield production than the annual fertilization treatment at four of six locations. Volume mean annual increment for 10- to 12-yr-old plantations with the combination treatment of complete vegetation control and annual fertilization ranged from 325 to 490 ft3/ac, growth rates comparable to those obtained at other high biomass production areas throughout the world. Our economic evaluation based on these results shows that 8 to 12% real rates of return are feasible from investments in intensive loblolly pine plantations in the southeastern United States. South. J. Appl. For. 25(2):69–74.

Loblolly pine growth response to herbaceous vegetation control at different planting densities

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 960-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Quicke ◽  
Glenn Glover ◽  
Ralph S Meldahl
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Volume Yield ◽  
Volume Response ◽  
Adjustment Term ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Positive Effect

Growth of Pinus taeda L., with and without control of competing herbaceous vegetation, was evaluated over 15 years at planting densities ranging from 747 to 2990 trees/ha. A height response to vegetation control of 0.9 m at age 5 decreased to 0.3 m at age 15. Convergence in the cumulative height between treated and untreated stands did not translate into converging basal area and volume yield. For 1500 and 2200 trees/ha, volume response to early vegetation control increased to age 15. For 800 trees/ha volume gains increased to age 12 and were stable between ages 12 and 15. Higher densities apparently captured more of the site resources made available through vegetation control. Age-15 volume gains for 2200, 1500, and 800 trees/ha were 71 (23%), 48 (17%), and 19 m3·ha-1 (8%), respectively. A separate adjustment term in height and basal-area models captured the short-term positive effect of vegetation control on height growth and longer term basal-area responses. Previously published height and basal-area models were modified to account for planting-density effects.

Ten-year decomposition in a loblolly pine forest

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2231-2235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Binkley
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Original Material ◽  
Loss Of Mass ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Future Work

A litter sandwich approach was used to examine the loss of mass, acidity, and nutrients through 10 years of decomposition in a stand of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Each year, a new layer of 3-mm mesh fiberglass was placed on the annual accumulation of litterfall. Ten years of decomposition led to a loss of about 80% of the litter organic matter (giving a decomposition constant of 0.1655), which predicted a steady-state mass of the forest floor within 10% of the observed value. The pH (in 0.1 M KCl) showed little variation over time, ranging just from 3.2 to 3.5. The decline in titratable acidity appeared related primarily to the loss of organic matter rather than to any change in the acid characteristics of the material. Nitrogen loss was slow; the 10-year-old cohort of material contained 70% as much nitrogen as the original material. The loss of other nutrients was rapid, exceeding 80% loss by 6 years for phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The litter-sandwich method for examining decomposition is an easy, long-term approach that appeared to provide reasonable representation of the dynamics of unconfined forest floor materials. Future work should test this method for examining the decomposition effects of litter quality, nutrient supply, and environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Intensive Forest Management Affects Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Growth and Survival on Poorly Drained Sites in Southern Arkansas

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Rahman ◽  
M.G. Messina ◽  
R.F. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Mechanical Site Preparation ◽  
Intensive Forest Management ◽  
Tree Survival ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

Abstract We investigated if intensive forest management could enhance loblolly pine seedling growth and survival on West Gulf flatwoods where winter and spring waterlogging and frequent summer drought limit loblolly pine performance. Fertilization, chemical vegetation control, and mechanical site preparation (combined bedding and ripping) were tested in different combinations on six sites established in southern Arkansas in early 1999. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedling performance was monitored in the first two growing seasons (1999 and 2000) and fifth growing season (2003) after planting. Fertilization increased growth in all years. Mechanical site preparation affected only height and only until year 2. There was no effect of chemical vegetation control in any measurement year, although chemical vegetation control resulted in greater growth in combination with fertilization than did either treatment applied separately. Tree survival averaged 92% a few months after planting and then decreased significantly at year 1 (77%), and remained comparable until year 5, the last year data were collected. Tree survival was not affected by mechanical site preparation, fertilization, or chemical vegetation control. Intensive forest management can increase loblolly pine seedling growth and survival on poorly drained sites in the West Gulf.

scholarly journals Modeling Response to Midrotation Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization in Loblolly Pine Plantations

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph L. Amateis ◽  
Jiping Liu ◽  
Mark J. Ducey ◽  
H. Lee Allen
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Nonlinear Regression Models ◽  
Dominant Height ◽  
Volume Response ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

Abstract Data from a fertilizer response study in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations at different sites in the southeastern United States were used to develop response models for dominant height and basal area following midrotation nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization. Nonlinear regression models developed from the data predict total cumulative response as a function of the interaction of N and P application rates, drainage class of the site, stand conditions when fertilized, and time since fertilization. Stand variables that were found to be significant predictors of response included site index, age, basal area, number of surviving trees, and dominant height at fertilization. Dominant height response was significantly greater on poorly drained sites than on other sites. Basal area response to P was significantly less on poorly drained sites and significantly greater on well drained sites. These models can be coupled with unfertilized baseline models to estimate volume response to midrotation fertilization. South. J. Appl. For. 24(4):207-212.

Hardwood Eradication Improves Productivity of Thinned Loblolly Pine Stands

1984 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Clason
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Herbaceous Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Pine Stands ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

Abstract A single hardwood eradication treatment in a 7-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stand along with pine stocking control increased growth and yield over a 10-year period. Herbaceous vegetation control had no detectable effect at ages 12 and 17. Treated plots had smaller stems, which could be controlled more readily by fire, although the number of understory stems was similar for all treatments. Mean annual radial and merchantable volume growth on treated plots surpassed controls by 30%. Future stand values were enhanced by removing hardwood competition. Residual stand sawtimber volumes on the treated plots were twice that of the control.

scholarly journals The Dynamics of Mass Loss and Nutrient Release of Decomposing Fine Roots, Needle Litter and Standard Substrates in Hemiboreal Coniferous Forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaie Kriiska ◽  
Krista Lõhmus ◽  
Jane Frey ◽  
Endla Asi ◽  
Naima Kabral ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Nitrogen Accumulation ◽  
Needle Litter ◽  
Initial Substrate

Litter decomposition is a key process that drives carbon and nutrient cycles in forest soils. The decomposition of five different substrate types was analyzed in hemiboreal coniferous forests, focusing on the mass loss and nutrient (N, P, and K) release of fine roots (FR) and needle litter in relation to the initial substrate and soil chemistry. A litterbag incubation experiment with site-specific FR and needle litter and three standard substrates (green and rooibos tea, α-cellulose) was carried out in four Norway spruce and four Scots pine-dominated stands in Estonia. Substrate type was the primary driver of mass loss and the decay rate of different substrates did not depend on the dominant tree species of the studied stands. Alpha-cellulose lost 98 ± 1% of the mass in 2-years, while the FR mass loss was on average 23 ± 2% after 3-years of decomposition. The FR decomposition rate could be predicted using a corresponding model of green tea, although the rate of FR decomposition is approximately five times lower than the rate of green tea in the first 3-years. The annual decomposition rate of the needle litter is rather constant in hemiboreal coniferous forests in the first 3 years. The initial substrate of fine roots or needle litter and soil chemistry jointly had a significant effect on mass loss in the later stage of decomposition. The critical N concentration for N release was lower for pine FR and needle litter (0.9–1.3% and 0.7–1.1%) compared to spruce (1.2–1.6% and 1.5–1.9%, respectively). The release rate of K depended on the initial K of substrate, while the release of N and P was significantly related to the initial C:N and N:P ratios, respectively. The results show the central role of soil and substrate initial chemistry in the decomposition of fine roots and needle litter across hemiboreal forests, especially at later stage (after 2 years) of decomposition. The slower decomposition and higher retention of N in the fine roots relative to needle litter suggests that fine roots have a substantial role in the carbon and nitrogen accumulation in boreal and hemiboreal forest ecosystems.

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