Bulk Density Measurement in Forest Soils

Abstract

Many of the physical properties important for assessing soils in agricultural systems are the same for forest soils. However, because of the nature of forest soils and terrain associated with forest ecosystems, the most appropriate methods for agricultural soils are not always suitable for forest soils. Coarse fragments, large roots, and steep slopes limit the suitability of some methods for forest soils (Page-Dumroese et al. 1999). In addition, surface organic horizons cover many forest soils and measuring their physical properties such as bulk density requires different sampling methods than mineral soils.