Effect of land use on forest floor and soil of aQuercus suber L. forest in Gallura (Sardinia, Italy)

Abstract

In order to determine the effect of land use on forest floor and soil, two adjacent sites with different land use were investigated in Gallura (northern Sardinia, Italy). One site is a Quercus suber L. forest mainly used for cork production and the other is an open Quercus suber L. forest where livestock is put out to graze. In each site one soil profile was studied to characterize the mineral soil, and five humus profiles were opened along a vegetation transect, were studied to characterize the forest floor. Samples of L, F and H horizons of the forest floor and of the A mineral horizons were collected and analysed for each profile. In the site mainly used for cork production well-developed ectorganic (L, F and H) horizons are always present, with a total thickness ranging from 5·2 to 9·5 cm. Humus profile is of the Moder type, while mineral soils have an A–C profile, generally 50 cm deep. Organic matter content in the forest floor ranges from 1·76–3·72 kg m−2 and nutrients content in the mineral soil is high. In the site used chiefly for grazing the ectorganic horizons are very poorly developed, with a total thickness ranging from 1–3 cm, except for some islands under the Quercus suber L. canopy where the total thickness may reach 5·3 cm. Humus profile is of the Mull type, but the used classification system seems not appropriate when the tree density is below a critical limit. Mineral soils have an A–C profile 20–25 cm deep. The organic matter content in the forest floor ranges from 0·45 to 1·84 kg m−2, while nutrient content in the mineral soil maintains at high level, even higher than in the former case for C, N and Ca, probably in relation with higher supply of cattle excreta. Sheet erosion is evident in the site. It is concluded that cork production will maintain a sustainable forest floor development in cork–oak forest ecosystem, whereas cattle grazing, fires and ploughing in cork–oak forests may be considered to trigger off severe soil degradation processes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.