Effect of whole-tree and conventional forest harvest on soil microarthropods

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 1986-1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Bird ◽  
L. Chatarpaul
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Hardwood Forest ◽  
Mixed Conifer ◽  
Soil Microarthropods ◽  
Harvest Plot ◽  
Whole Tree

The effect of whole-tree and conventional harvest on soil microarthropods, Collembola and Acari, was investigated in a mixed conifer–hardwood forest on the Canadian Shield. Harvesting had a major effect on their populations which declined to 56 and 68% of those on the uncut plot for the whole-tree and conventional harvest plots, respectively. Species composition was unaffected by harvesting although there were shifts in dominance. Total numbers of microarthropods and numbers of Oribatei, Prostigmata, and Mesostigmata found on the uncut plot were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than on harvested plots. Slightly higher (P > 0.05) numbers of Collembola were recorded from the conventional harvest plot than the uncut plot. Oribatei, Prostigmata, and Collembola were more abundant (P < 0.01) on the conventional harvest plot than the whole-tree harvest plot. Of the two forest harvesting methods, conventional harvest had a lesser impact on soil microarthropods. Because the forest soil fauna is intimately involved in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil formation, our findings suggest that long-term site productivity will be greater following conventional harvest than whole-tree harvest.

EFFECT OF FOREST HARVEST ON DECOMPOSITION AND COLONIZATION OF MAPLE LEAF LITTER BY SOIL MICROARTHROPODS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A. BIRD ◽  
L. CHATARPAUL
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Forest Harvest ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
Soil Microarthropods ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Rates Of Decay ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree

The effect of whole-tree and conventional forest harvest on sugar maple leaf litter decomposition and the colonization of litter bags by soil microarthropods was investigated in a mixed conifer/hardwood forest on the Canadian Shield for 2 yr, beginning 17 mo after forest harvesting. Decomposition of leaves in litter bags was significantly greater (P < 0.05) on harvested plots than on the uncut plot (U), and was greater on the whole-tree harvest plot (W) than on the conventionally harvested plot (C). The increase in nitrogen (N) concentration of the litter over the 2-yr study was greater (P < 0.05) on the C than on the other plots and was in the order C > W > U. Colonization of leaf litter by soil microarthropods was greater (P < 0.05) on the U than on harvested plots, and was greater (P < 0.05) on the C than on the W plot. Thus, soil microarthropods did not appear to be responsible for the faster decomposition on harvested plots compared to the uncut plot, nor were differences in soil temperatures or moisture content among plots responsible for the faster rates of decay. More rapid decay on harvested plots suggests that harvesting increased the availability of nutrients contained in the forest floor. This may result in a loss of both nutrients and long-term productivity, especially with whole-tree harvesting, unless mechanisms are in place to conserve nutrients. Key words: Decomposition, soil microarthropods, whole-tree harvest, soil nitrogen, nutrient cycling, mineralization

Effects of fire intensity on survival and recovery of soil microarthropods after a clearcut burning

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 2465-2475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Malmström ◽  
Tryggve Persson ◽  
Kerstin Ahlström
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Fire Intensity ◽  
Soil Microarthropods ◽  
Logging Residues ◽  
Burnt Soil ◽  
Living Species ◽  
Experimental Plots

We studied responses of soil microarthropods to different burning intensities at a clearcut that was burnt in May 2002. Fire intensity was manipulated by adding or removing logging residues as fuel from the experimental plots. Samples were taken 1 week before and 1 week after burning as well as during autumn of the same year. Samples were taken in the 2 following years to estimate long-term recovery. No difference in humus combustion could be detected between burning intensities, but most microarthropod species showed lower abundances in the hard-burnt than in the light-burnt plots immediately after fire. Surface-living species also declined in light-burnt plots, whereas soil-living species were particularly affected in hard-burnt plots. This is probably explained by greater heat transfer into the hard-burnt soil. Total abundances of Oribatida and Protura remained low for several years in the burnt plots, whereas abundances of Collembola and Mesostigmata recovered within 1 year, which indicates that at least these groups had enough habitat space and food resources after fire. The study indicates that fire severity (depth of burn) is more decisive than fire intensity (heat release) for the long-term recovery of soil fauna, whereas fire intensity determines the acute survival of animals.

scholarly journals Long-Term Soil Fertility and Site Productivity in Stem-Only and Whole-Tree Harvested Stands in Boreal Forest of Quebec (Canada)

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 583
Author(s):  
Rock Ouimet ◽  
Louis Duchesne ◽  
Stéphane Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Site Productivity ◽  
Productivity Indicators ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Whole Tree

Using residual biomass from forest harvesting to produce energy is viewed increasingly as a means to reduce fossil fuel consumption. However, the impact such practices on soil and future site productivity remains a major concern. We revisited 196 forest plots that were subject to either whole-tree (WTH) or stem-only (SOH) harvesting 30 years ago in the boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. Plots were stratified by four soil regions grouped by so-called ‘soil provinces’. Soil analyses indicated that after 30 years, the forest floor of WTH sites had smaller pools of N (−8%), exchangeable Ca (−6%) and exchangeable Mn (−21%) and a higher C/N ratio (+12%) than that of SOH sites. Mineral soil responses to the two harvesting intensities differed among soil provinces. In the two coarse-textured granitic soil provinces, organic matter, organic carbon, and nitrogen pools over the whole solum (0–60 cm soil depth) were at least 28% smaller after WTH than after SOH. Site productivity indicators followed differences between soils and were lower after WTH than after SOH in the two granitic soil provinces. The study shows that soil characteristics greatly influence a soil’s sensitivity to increased forest biomass harvesting in the long term.

Soil and ecological division into districts of the Baikal region

2018 ◽  
Vol 940 (10) ◽  
pp. 54-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.A. Belozertseva ◽  
A.A. Sorokovoj
Keyword(s):  
Baikal Region ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Soil Cover Structure ◽  
Reflecting Surface ◽  
Heat And Moisture ◽  
Made In

On the basis of long-term researches of soils in the territory of Russia and Mongolia soil and ecological division into districts of the Baikal region is carried out. At division into districts the whole set of an environment of soil formation was considered. On the map of soil and ecological division into districts 13 mountain, mid-mountain, low-mountain taiga, foothill, hollow-valley, forest-steppe and steppe provinces reflecting surface device originality as the ratio of balance of heat and moisture forming a basis to zoning is shown against the background of difficult orography are allocated. In total 42 districts on lithologic-geomorphological features are allocated. In formation of distinctions of a soil cover of these provinces the leading role is played by bioclimatic factors and inside them the lithologic-geomorphological ones. In the view of structural approach of the district they are considered as territories with a certain natural change of several types of the soil cover structure caused by features of a relief and the parent rock. The map is made in the MapInfo program. It is revealed that on ill-defined width zoning of soils the vertical one which has a greater influence on soils of this region is imposed. Soils of the Baikal region are not similar to the soils located at the same latitude of the flat European territory of Russia. Zone soils of this territory are specific and original.

scholarly journals Imitated Whole Tree Harvesting Show Negligible Effect on Economic Value of Spruce Stands

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Iveta Desaine ◽  
Annija Kārkliņa ◽  
Roberts Matisons ◽  
Anna Pastare ◽  
Andis Adamovičs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Whole Tree Harvesting ◽  
Whole Tree ◽  
Tree Harvesting

The increased removal of forest-derived biomass with whole-tree harvesting (WTH) has raised concerns about the long-term productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystems. If true, this effect needs to be factored in the assessment of long-term feasibility to implement such a drastic forest management measure. Therefore, the economic performance of five experimental plantations in three different forest types, where in 1971 simulated WTH event occurred, was compared with pure, planted and conventionally managed (CH) Norway spruce stands of similar age and growing conditions. Potential incomes of CH and WTH stands were based on timber prices for period 2014–2020. However, regarding the economics of root and stump biomass utilization, they were not included in the estimates. In any given price level, the difference of internal rate of return between the forest types and selected managements were from 2.5% to 6.2%. Therefore, Norway spruce stands demonstrate good potential of independence regardless of stump removal at the previous rotation.

scholarly journals Biogeochemical Controls on the Potential for Long-Term Contaminant Leaching from Soils Developing on Historic Coal Mine Spoil

Soil Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
David Singer ◽  
Elizabeth Herndon ◽  
Laura Zemanek ◽  
Kortney Cole ◽  
Tyler Sanda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Mineral Weathering ◽  
Mine Spoil ◽  
Secondary Phases ◽  
Undisturbed Soil

Coal mine spoil is widespread in US coal mining regions, and the potential long-term leaching of toxic metal(loid)s is a significant and underappreciated issue. This study aimed to determine the flux of contaminants from historic mine coal spoil at a field site located in Appalachian Ohio (USA) and link pore water composition and solid-phase composition to the weathering reaction stages within the soils. The overall mineralogical and microbial community composition indicates that despite very different soil formation pathways, soils developing on historic coal mine spoil and an undisturbed soil are currently dominated by similar mineral weathering reactions. Both soils contained pyrite coated with clays and secondary oxide minerals. However, mine spoil soil contained abundant residual coal, with abundant Fe- and Mn- (oxy)hydroxides. These secondary phases likely control and mitigate trace metal (Cu, Ni, and Zn) transport from the soils. While Mn was highly mobile in Mn-enriched soils, Fe and Al mobility may be more controlled by dissolved organic carbon dynamics than mineral abundance. There is also likely an underappreciated risk of Mn transport from coal mine spoil, and that mine spoil soils could become a major source of metals if local biogeochemical conditions change.

scholarly journals Long-Term Forest Floor Fuels Accumulations in Sierran Mixed Conifer Subjected to Forest Restoration Treatments

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swim SL ◽  
Walker RF ◽  
Johnson DW ◽  
Fecko RM ◽  
Miller WW
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Mixed Conifer

Comment on “Long-term decline of sugar maple following forest harvest, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire”

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 861-862
Author(s):  
Scott W. Bailey ◽  
Robert P. Long ◽  
Stephen B. Horsley
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Hubbard Brook ◽  
Whole Tree

Cleavitt et al. (2018, Can. J. For. Res. 48(1): 23–31, doi: 10.1139/cjfr-2017-0233 ) report a lack of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) regeneration in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), Watershed 5 (W5), following whole-tree clearcut harvesting and purport that harvesting-induced soil calcium depletion contributed to regeneration failure of this species. In New England, clearcutting is a silvicultural strategy used to promote less tolerant species, especially birch (Betula spp.; Marquis (1969), Birch Symposium Proceedings, USDA Forest Service; Leak et al. (2014), doi: 10.2737/NRS-GTR-132 ), which is just the outcome that the authors report. While this study reports an impressive, long-term data set, given broad interest in sugar maple and sustainability of forest management practices, we feel that it is critical to more fully explore the role of nutrition on sugar maple dynamics, both prior to and during the experiment, and to more fully review the scientific record on the role of whole-tree clearcutting in nutrient-induced sugar maple dynamics.

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