Is the use of trees with superior growth a threat to soil nutrient availability? A case study with Norway spruce

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 560-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bélanger ◽  
David Paré ◽  
Mireille Bouchard ◽  
Gaëtan Daoust
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nutrient Immobilization ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
High Treatment

The renewed interest in the use of fast-growing tree species is accompanied by concerns about the adverse effects that these trees may have on soil. Four Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) provenance trials in Quebec were used to test the hypothesis that a more vigorous growth would not occur at the expense of marginalizing available nutrient pools. On these sites, the provenance showing the greatest overall productivity (high treatment) and the one showing the lowest productivity (low treatment) were studied. The divergence in total aboveground nutrient contents between the high and low treatments was high in all sites (i.e., 161%–209%). Increased nutrient immobilization in trees did not cause any significant soil depletion of available base cations or total N at any site. Moreover, exchangeable Ca concentrations, cation-exchange capacity, and exchangeable Ca pools in the forest floor were significantly higher in the high treatment. It is concluded that in the short term, increased nutrient immobilization in trees does not create an apparent depletion of available base cations, perhaps because of a stimulation of soil mineral weathering and (or) a better retention of nutrients by the trees. Also, an effort to simulate mineral weathering using PROFILE showed the need for model improvement for applications at the plot level.

scholarly journals Base cations in the soil bank. Non-exchangeable pools may sustain centuries of net loss to forestry and leaching

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas P. Rosenstock ◽  
Johan Stendahl ◽  
Gregory van der Heijden ◽  
Lars Lundin ◽  
Eric McGivney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Period ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Chemical Extraction ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Ecosystem Flux ◽  
Soil Nutrient Pools ◽  
Norway Spruce Forest

Abstract. The soil exchangeable pool is classically viewed as the bank of base cations in the soil, withdrawn from by plant uptake and leaching and deposited into by decomposition, deposition and mineral weathering. While largely true, this view ignores the potential large size of other soil nutrient pools, including microbial biomass, clay interlayer absorbed elements, and calcium oxalate. These pools can be sizeable and neglecting them in studies examining the sustainability of biomass extractions or need for nutient return limits our ability to gauge the threat or risk of unusustainable biomass removals. In this short communication, we examine a set of chemical extraction data from a mature Norway Spruce forest in central Sweden, and compare this dataset to ecosystem flux data gathered from the site in other research. We bound the sizes of these pools and discuss them in the perspective of a forest rotation period. Lastly, we highlight the potential for sequential extraction techniques and isotope exchange measurments to illuminate the identify and flux rates of these important, and commonly overlooked, nutrient pools.

scholarly journals Effects of Planting Density on Soil Bulk Density, pH and Nutrients of Unthinned Chinese Fir Mature Stands in South Subtropical Region of China

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Aiguo Duan ◽  
Jie Lei ◽  
Xiaoyan Hu ◽  
Jianguo Zhang ◽  
Hailun Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Chinese Fir ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Total N ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Soil Nutrient Contents

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) is a fast-growing evergreen conifer with high-quality timber and is an important reforestation and commercial tree species in southern China. Planting density affects the productivity of Chinese fir plantations. To study the effect of five different planting densities and soil depth on soil nutrient contents of a mature C. lanceolata plantation, the soil nutrient contents (soil depths 0–100 cm) of 36-year-old mature Chinese fir plantations under five different planting densities denoted A (1667 trees·ha−1), B (3333 trees·ha−1), C (5000 trees·ha−1), D (6667 trees·ha−1), and E (10,000 trees·ha−1) were measured in Pingxiang county, Guangxi province, China. Samples were collected from the soil surface down to a one meter depth from each of 45 soil profiles, and soil samples were obtained at 10 different soil depths of 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, 60–70, 70–80, 80–90, and 90–100 cm. Twelve soil physical and chemical indicators were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) as planting density increased, the organic matter, organic carbon, total N and P, available N, effective Fe, and bulk density decreased. Soil pH, total K, and effective K increased with increasing planting density. Planting density did not significantly influence the exchangeable Ca and Mg. (2) Soil organic matter; organic carbon; total N and P; effective N, P, and K; exchangeable Ca and Mg; effective Fe content; and bulk density decreased with increasing soil depth. This pattern was particularly evident in the top 30 cm of the soil. (3) Excessively high planting density is not beneficial to the long-term maintenance of soil fertility in Chinese fir plantations, and the planting density of Chinese fir plantations should be maintained below 3333 stems·ha−1 (density A or B) to maintain soil fertility while ensuring high yields.

Initial quantitative characterization of soil nutrient regimes. I. Soil properties

1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1557-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Kabzems ◽  
K. Klinka
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Total N ◽  
Quantitative Classification ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Study Sites

Previous attempts to characterize soil nutrient regimes of forest ecosystems have been qualitative evaluations utilizing vegetation and (or) topographic features, morphological soil properties, and mineralogy of soil parent materials. The objective of this study was to describe and provide initial data for quantitative classification of soil nutrient regimes in some Douglas-fir ecosystems on southern Vancouver Island. A multivariate classification using forest floor plus mineral soil mineralizable N and exchangeable Mg quantities was proposed for the four nutrient regimes (poor, medium, rich, and very rich) recognized in this study. Significant differences in mineralizable and total N existed between the four identified soil nutrient regimes. The previous N fertilization of two study sites did not seem to change soil N status sufficiently to alter the classification. The differences in nutrient availability were more distinct when forest floor and mineral soil properties, expressed on an areal basis, were summed. There were no significant differences in exchangeable Ca and Mg for the poor and medium soil nutrient regimes. The humus form of the forest floor was an important characteristic for identifying soil nutrient regimes in the field; however, the nutrient quantities of the forest floor reflected differences in bulk density and depth and did not effectively distinguish between regimes.

scholarly journals Base cations in the soil bank: non-exchangeable pools may sustain centuries of net loss to forestry and leaching

SOIL ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas P. Rosenstock ◽  
Johan Stendahl ◽  
Gregory van der Heijden ◽  
Lars Lundin ◽  
Eric McGivney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Chemical Extraction ◽  
Spectroscopic Techniques ◽  
Nutrient Return ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Clay Interlayer

Abstract. Accurately quantifying soil base cation pool sizes is essential to interpreting the sustainability of forest harvests from element mass-balance studies. The soil-exchangeable pool is classically viewed as the bank of “available” base cations in the soil, withdrawn upon by plant uptake and leaching and refilled by litter decomposition, atmospheric deposition and mineral weathering. The operational definition of this soil bank as the exchangeable (salt-extractable) pools ignores the potential role of “other” soil nutrient pools, including microbial biomass, clay interlayer absorbed elements, and calcium oxalate. These pools can be large relative to “exchangeable” pools. Thus neglecting these other pools in studies examining the sustainability of biomass extractions, or need for nutrient return, limits our ability to gauge the threat or risk of unsustainable biomass removals. We examine a set of chemical extraction data from a mature Norway spruce forest in central Sweden and compare this dataset to ecosystem flux data gathered from the site in previous research. The 0.2 M HCl extraction released large pools of Ca, K, Mg, and Na, considerably larger than the exchangeable pools. Where net losses of base cations are predicted from biomass harvest, exchangeable pools may not be sufficient to support more than a single 65-year forest rotation, but acid-extractable pools are sufficient to support many rotations of net-ecosystem losses. We examine elemental ratios, soil clay and carbon contents, and pool depth trends to identify the likely origin of the HCl-extractable pool. No single candidate compound class emerges, as very strongly supported by the data, as being the major constituent of the HCl-extractable fraction. A combination of microbial biomass, fine grain, potentially shielded, easily weatherable minerals, and non-structural clay interlayer bound potassium may explain the size and distribution of the acid-extractable base cation pool. Sequential extraction techniques and isotope-exchange measurements should be further developed and, if possible, complemented with spectroscopic techniques to illuminate the identity of and flux rates through these important, and commonly overlooked, nutrient pools.

Studies on some deep sandy soils in Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland. 2. Plant nutrient status

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (60) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
RK Jones
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total N ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Cape York

The nutrient status of the deep siliceous sands which cover an extensive area in Cape York Peninsula has been studied in glasshouse and field experiments. Using Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) as a test legume, the soils were found to be extremely deficient in P and S, and moderately so in Zn, Cu, and K. Responses to Mo were found on most of the eight soils tested in the glasshouse but these were not confirmed at the field site in either of the two growing seasons. There was little response to Ca (lime) in spite of the very low levels of total and exchangeable Ca in these soils. Suggested reasons for this are the known tolerance of tropical legumes to low Ca supply and the fact that exchangeable Ca, although low, represented a fairly high percentage of the total exchange capacity. Levels of total N in these soils were also very low and the native grasses were able to absorb only 15 kg N ha-1 in an entire growing season. Two samples of rock phosphate (from north-western Queensland and Christmas Island) were found to be very poor alternatives to superphosphate, at least in the first season. In spite of the extreme infertility of these soils, very high levels of pasture production (> 10,000 kg of Townsville sty10 ha-1) could be achieved in well-fertilized pastures.

scholarly journals SIFAT KIMIA TANAH PASCA KEBAKARAN LAHAN DI KEBUN KELAPA SAWIT DI KABUPATEN TULANG BAWANG PROVINSI LAMPUNG

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25
Author(s):  
Omar Nurcholis ◽  
Syahrul Kurniawan
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Soil Base ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mg Content

Fire is a serious problem that must be faced in the management of forest or plantation areas. Land fires have caused huge losses of soil nutrient. Lampung is one of the provinces in Indonesia having a problem related to land fires. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of land fires on the soil base cations (K, Mg, Ca, Na) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in three different planting zones (i.e. fertilization, harvesting path, and frond stack areas) within oil palm plantations between land with low fire intensity and land with high fire intensity. Observations were made using a survey method in three zones of oil palm plantations, including fertilization area, harvesting path, and frond stack area. Soil samples were collected by using a soil drill at two depths, namely 0-10 cm and 10-30 cm from the soil surface. The study showed that at depth 0-10 cm, land A (land with low fire intensity) had higher K, Na, and Ca contents, as well as higher CEC as compared to land B (land with high fire intensity). At depth 10-30 cm, field A had higher K and CEC content, and lower Mg content than land B. comparing among different zones of oil palm plantations also showed that soil exchangeable K and Mg were significantly different, especially at depths of 10-30 cm. This was due to differences in land management (i.e. fertilization and liming).

Modelling the Effects of Acid Deposition: Estimation of Long-Term Water Quality Responses in Forested Catchments in Finland

1988 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lepistö ◽  
P. G. Whitehead ◽  
C. Neal ◽  
B. J. Cosby
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Co2 Solubility ◽  
Forested Catchments ◽  
Deposition Rates ◽  
Magic Model

A modelling study has been undertaken to investigate long-term changes in surface water quality in two contrasting forested catchments; Yli-Knuutila, with high concentrations of base cations and sulphate, in southern Finland; and organically rich, acid Liuhapuro in eastern Finland. The MAGIC model is based on the assumption that certain chemical processes (anion retention, cation exchange, primary mineral weathering, aluminium dissolution and CO2 solubility) in catchment soils are likely keys to the responses of surface water quality to acidic deposition. The model was applied for the first time to an organically rich catchment with high quantities of humic substances. The historical reconstruction of water quality at Yli-Knuutila indicates that the catchment surface waters have lost about 90 μeq l−1 of alkalinity in 140 years, which is about 60% of their preacidification alkalinity. The model reproduces the declining pH levels of recent decades as indicated by paleoecological analysis. Stream acidity trends are investigated assuming two scenarios for future deposition. Assuming deposition rates are maintained in the future at 1984 levels, the model indicates that stream pH is likely to continue to decline below presently measured levels. A 50% reduction in deposition rates would likely result in an increase in pH and alkalinity of the stream, although not to estimated preacidification levels. Because of the high load of organic acids to the Liuhapuro stream it has been acid before atmospheric pollution; a decline of 0.2 pH-units was estimated with increasing leaching of base cations from the soil despite the partial pH buffering of the system by organic compounds.

scholarly journals Soil carbon and nutrient stocks under Scots pine plantations in comparison to European beech forests: a paired-plot study across forests with different management history and precipitation regimes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Diers ◽  
Robert Weigel ◽  
Heike Culmsee ◽  
Christoph Leuschner
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Total N ◽  
Precipitation Regimes ◽  
Pine Stands

Abstract Background Organic carbon stored in forest soils (SOC) represents an important element of the global C cycle. It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity, but empirical evidence in support of this assumption from forests differing in tree species and productivity, while stocking on similar substrate, is scarce. Methods We determined the stocks of SOC and macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium) in nine paired European beech/Scots pine stands on similar Pleistocene sandy substrates across a precipitation gradient (560–820 mm∙yr− 1) in northern Germany and explored the influence of tree species, forest history, climate, and soil pH on SOC and nutrient pools. Results While the organic layer stored on average about 80% more C under pine than beech, the pools of SOC and total N in the total profile (organic layer plus mineral soil measured to 60 cm and extrapolated to 100 cm) were greater under pine by about 40% and 20%, respectively. This contrasts with a higher annual production of foliar litter and a much higher fine root biomass in beech stands, indicating that soil C sequestration is unrelated to the production of leaf litter and fine roots in these stands on Pleistocene sandy soils. The pools of available P and basic cations tended to be higher under beech. Neither precipitation nor temperature influenced the SOC pool, whereas tree species was a key driver. An extended data set (which included additional pine stands established more recently on former agricultural soil) revealed that, besides tree species identity, forest continuity is an important factor determining the SOC and nutrient pools of these stands. Conclusion We conclude that tree species identity can exert a considerable influence on the stocks of SOC and macronutrients, which may be unrelated to productivity but closely linked to species-specific forest management histories, thus masking weaker climate and soil chemistry effects on pool sizes.

scholarly journals Current, steady-state and historical weathering rates of base cations at two forest sites in northern and southern Sweden: a comparison of three methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Casetou-Gustafson ◽  
Harald Grip ◽  
Stephen Hillier ◽  
Sune Linder ◽  
Bengt A. Olsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Base Cations ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Weathering Rate ◽  
Weathering Rates ◽  
Forest Sites

Abstract. Reliable and accurate methods for estimating soil mineral weathering rates are required tools in evaluating the sustainability of increased harvesting of forest biomass and assessments of critical loads of acidity. A variety of methods that differ in concept, temporal and spatial scale, and data requirements are available for measuring weathering rates. In this study, causes of discrepancies in weathering rates between methods were analysed and were classified as being either conceptual (inevitable) or random. The release rates of base cations (BCs; Ca, Mg, K, Na) by weathering were estimated in podzolised glacial tills at two experimental forest sites, Asa and Flakaliden, in southern and northern Sweden, respectively. Three different methods were used: (i) historical weathering since deglaciation estimated by the depletion method, using Zr as the assumed inert reference; (ii) steady-state weathering rate estimated with the PROFILE model, based on quantitative analysis of soil mineralogy; and (iii) BC budget at stand scale, using measured deposition, leaching and changes in base cation stocks in biomass and soil over a period of 12 years. In the 0–50 cm soil horizon historical weathering of BCs was 10.6 and 34.1 mmolc m−2 yr−1, at Asa and Flakaliden, respectively. Corresponding values of PROFILE weathering rates were 37.1 and 42.7 mmolc m−2 yr−1. The PROFILE results indicated that steady-state weathering rate increased with soil depth as a function of exposed mineral surface area, reaching a maximum rate at 80 cm (Asa) and 60 cm (Flakaliden). In contrast, the depletion method indicated that the largest postglacial losses were in upper soil horizons, particularly at Flakaliden. With the exception of Mg and Ca in shallow soil horizons, PROFILE produced higher weathering rates than the depletion method, particularly of K and Na in deeper soil horizons. The lower weathering rates of the depletion method were partly explained by natural and anthropogenic variability in Zr gradients. The base cation budget approach produced significantly higher weathering rates of BCs, 134.6 mmolc m−2 yr−1 at Asa and 73.2 mmolc m−2 yr−1 at Flakaliden, due to high rates estimated for the nutrient elements Ca, Mg and K, whereas weathering rates were lower and similar to those for the depletion method (6.6 and 2.2 mmolc m−2 yr−1 at Asa and Flakaliden). The large discrepancy in weathering rates for Ca, Mg and K between the base cation budget approach and the other methods suggests additional sources for tree uptake in the soil not captured by measurements.

Evidence of temperature control of production and nutrient cycling in two interior Alaska black spruce ecosystems

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Van Cleve ◽  
Richard Barney ◽  
Robert Schlentner
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Soil Biological Activity ◽  
Nutrient Mineralization ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
And Function

Selected indices of structure and function were used to evaluate the effect of differing soil thermal regimes on soil-permafrost-dominated (muskeg) and permafrost-free (north-slope) black spruce ecosystems in interior Alaska. The poorly drained, permafrost site displayed cooler soil temperatures and higher soil moisture content than were encountered on the well-drained north slope. Mineral soil nutrient pools generally were largest on the permafrost site. However, low soil temperature acted as a negative feedback control, suppressing soil biological activity, nutrient mineralization, and tree primary production to lower levels on the soil-permafrost-dominated site as compared with the permafrost-free site. Forty percent larger accumulation of tree biomass and 80% greater annual tree productivity occurred on the warmer site.

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