Effects of liming on soil acidity and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration on acid soils in south Swedish beech forests

Abstract

The soils of four experimental blocks in Scanian beech forests of the Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. and Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L. types were scarified and limed with three replicates of four dolomitic lime treatments (controls included) per block and then analysed with respect to the soil acidity status in order to reveal the effects on beech regeneration. Beech seedlings were counted and measured annually 1984–1988. pH, exchangeable acidity and Al3+ of the humus and mineral layers were affected by the dolomitic lime treatment. Liming applied at seed fall showed no major effects on beech regeneration. Seedlings had a tendency to grow faster on an acid brown forest soil than on podzols. Scarification improved the establishment of seedlings. The proportion of browsed seedlings was unrelated to the amount of lime. After four years browsing had reduced the average height of affected seedlings by 6 cm.