Changes in forms of available nitrogen and respiration in soil of beech forest as a reaction to a deforestation resulting from wind storm

Abstract

The article deals with the reaction of soil environment to a violent deforestation resulting from a wind storm. As a material, permanent inventory plot located in Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny was selected. The plot represents beech high forest, where soil was sampled from four types of sample plots: (1) maternal forest representing situation before the storm; (2) zone of transition from the maternal forest to the open area; (3) reafforested clearing; (4) natural evolution. From each sample plot type, 6 mixed samples of Ah horizon were analysed to assess N-ammonium (N-NH4+) and N-nitrates (NO3−) content and respiration activity. The results show a significant difference between the respiration activities of the particular sample plots, as well as a significant difference in the content of N-ammonium and N-nitrate forms, the maternal forest representing a site of the lowest biological (and respiration) activity on the one hand, and, on the other hand, site of high N-ammonium and low N-nitrate content, respectively. From the results, intensive nitrification caused by the deforestation is evident. The results are to be used as a starting level for a long-term observation of reaction of the forest beech ecosystem to deforestation and selected types of forest management.