Chemical Properties Of Forest Soils Research Articles

Land use legacy footprint in Mediterranean forest soils: An infrared spectroscopy approach

Chemical properties of forest soils can strongly influence this compartment vulnerability to climate change effects. Past human activities can play a major role in structuring soil chemical properties. In the Mediterranean region, abandonment of terrace agriculture since 1860 induced the coexistence of forests with different ages. Here, soil chemical signature (SCS) was compared between very recent, recent and ancient forests using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy and other chemical properties (total C and N, CaCO3 percentages). Land Use Legacy (LUL) effects were analysed depending on soil depths and on contrasted climate conditions (humid vs subhumid Mediterranean climates). Statistic treatments, Linear Mixed-Effect and Anova COMmon DIMension models, were used to highlight the influence of depth’s soil, climate and LUL effects. Interestingly, the soil depth did not influence LUL effect on soil spectra. The effect of climate, LUL and their interactions were observed on the SCS. Higher available N was observed in soils from ancient forests than in soils from very recent forests. Moreover, mineral fraction discriminated soils with different LUL (very recent vs recent and ancient forests) and this depended on climate. Under subhumid climate, soils from very recent forests were indeed negatively correlated with the mineral fraction, while under humid climate, they were positively correlated to it. Finally, a recovery of soils chemical properties was observed in recent forests under humid climate, while under subhumid climate, SCS of post agricultural forests was different from that of ancient forests.

Planting Systems Affect Soil Microbial Communities and Enzymes Activities Differentially under Drought and Phosphorus Addition.

The use of phosphorus (P) to alleviate soil nutrient deficiency alters resources in plant and microbial communities, but it remains unknown how mixed and monospecific planting of forest tree species shape soil microbial structure and functions in response to drought and its interplay with phosphorus addition. We investigated the microbial structure and chemical properties of forest soils planted with P. zhennan monoculture, A. cremastogyne monoculture, and their mixed cultures. The three planting systems were exposed to drought (30–35% water reduction) and the combination of drought with P. A well-watered treatment (80–85% water addition) of similar combinations was used as the control. Planting systems shaped the effects of drought on the soil microbial properties leading to an increase in nitrate nitrogen, urease activity, and microbial biomass carbon in the monocultures, but decrease in mixed cultures. In the monoculture of P. zhennan, addition of P to drought-treated soil increased enzyme activities, the concentration of dissolved organic nitrogen, and carbon, leading to increase in the total bacteria, G+ bacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Except in the drought with P addition treatment, the impact of admixing on total phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), bacterial PLFA, and fungi PLFA was synergistic in all treatments. Our findings indicated that in monoculture of P. zhennan and its mixed planting with A. cremastogyne, greater biological activities could be established under drought conditions with the addition of P.

Analysis of Chemical Properties of Forest Soils from Bacau County

State forests are analyzed periodically, once every 10 years. This includes an analysis of forest soils. The present paperdescribes and interprets the chemical properties of forest soils from Bacau County focusing on the period 1983-2015. As such, 823 soil profiles and 2435 pedogenetic horizons were analysed taking into consideration the soil type, pH, humus content, nitrogen content, base saturation degree and the total cation exchange capacity. The most widespread types of soils are: eutriccambisol, luvisol, preluvisoland dystriccambisol. The dystriccambisols from Bacau County are strongly acid soils, while eutriccambisols and preluvisols are moderately acid. All forest soils from this area have a high cationic exchange capacity and are very well (dystriccambisol, eutriccambisol,luvisol) or well supplied (preluvisol, rendzina) with nitrogen. Knowing the chemical properties of soils is important for the analysis of stand variability and for adopting silvicultural methods adequate for the management of long-lasting forests.

Analysis of Chemical Properties of Forest Soils in Dobrogea Plateau

This paper aims to describe and interpret the chemical properties of forest soils in the Dobrogea Plateau. Data on soil analyzes are obtained in the laboratories of National Institute of Research and Development in Silviculture `Marin Dracea` after a recognized and accredited national and international methodology. There were analyzed soil reaction, base saturation degree, total cationic exchange capacity, humus content, total nitrogen and compared with results of soil analysis from other geographical regions of Romania. In the case of forest soils in Dobrogea Plateau, a higher pH was found than in other hilly or highland areas in the country to eutric cambisol, luvisol and preluvisol. Thus soil pH ranges from moderately acidic in the case of luvisols to low alkaline in the case of chernozems. Regarding the base saturation degree (V), there are higher values in this part of the country for preluvisol, luvisol and eutric cambisol and slightly lower values for phaeozem than in other regions of Romania. The amount of humus of eutric cambisols from Dobrogea Plateau is smaller than other hilly areas of the country and slightly higher than similar altitude areas.

Centipedes, millipedes, terrestrial isopods and their relationships to physical and chemical properties of forest soils

The quality of soil environment in forest ecosystems of mountain zones was characterised by skeleton content and particle size as well as soil moisture and chemistry and used for deepening the knowledge of ecological requirements of centipedes, millipedes and terrestrial isopods. Soil skeleton and size of the particles were significant environmental factors, with Lithobius austriacus, Lithobius erythrocephalus and Lithobius nodulipes preferring stony soils. The isopods Ligidium hypnorum and Hyloniscus riparius were closely bound to heavy soils with a high clay content, which was related to increased soil moisture and indication ofwaterlogged soils. Soil reaction (pH/KCl) was less associated with the occurrence of the studied invertebrates. The soils with higher skeleton content and a favourable moisture regime containing more Ca2+ and Mg2+ were more attractive to some centipedes (Strigamia acuminata, Lithobius microps) and isopods (Trachelipus ratzebargii, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber).

Chemical Properties of Forest Soils from Romania West Plain

The present paper characterizes the soils from Romania�s West Plain from a chemical property point of view, based on data from forest management plans. As such, for each forest district, soil samples from characteristic forest areas are gathered once at ten years and then analyzed. In this manner, soil reaction, base saturation degree, total cationic exchange capacity, humus content and total nitrogen where analyzed and compared with results of soil analysis from other Romanian areas.

Effects of global change on methane uptake in forest soils and its mechanisms: A revie

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, altered precipitation regime, increased nitrogen deposition, and land cover change have not only changed the physical and chemical properties of forest soils, but also affected plant growth and microbial activity, with concequences on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles, including soil CH4 uptake. In this study, we summarized the important role of soil CH4 uptake in forests under global change scenarios. The differences of responses as well as the underlying mechanisms of soil CH4 uptake in forests to global change were reviewed. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration inhibits soil CH4 uptake. Reduced precipitation tends to promote soil CH4 uptake. Increased nitrogen input inhibits soil CH4 uptake in nitrogen-rich forests, but promotes or has no effects on soil CH4 uptake in nitrogen-poor forests. Conversion of forests to grassland, farmland, or plantations would reduce soil CH4 uptake, while afforestation increases soil CH4 uptake. The future research should explore the long-term and multiple effects of global changes on forest soil CH4 uptake. In addition, molecular biology methods should be developed to explore the microbial mechanism of soil CH4 uptake.

Impact Assessment of Skidding Extraction: Effects on Physical and Chemical Properties of Forest Soils and on Maple Seedling Growing along the Skid Trail

Several studies investigated soil disturbances caused on skid trails by forest logging. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the severity and the distance of disturbances along both sides from the trails. The aims of this study were: i) to investigate the changes in physical and chemical properties of soil along the sides of skidding trails; ii) to measure the effects of soil compaction on of maple seedlings growth. Two levels of trail gradient (<20% and >20%), four levels of traffic frequency (3, 8, 15, and 30 passes) and four distance buffer strip zones (0.5 m intervals from 0 to 2 m in distance) on both sides of skid trail edges were analyzed. Each treatment included three replicate plots. In order to investigate the effect of compaction on seedlings emergence and growth, maple seeds were sown after logging. The results highlighted significant changes in physical and chemical properties of soil for each traffic frequency in the closest buffer strip (from 0 to 0.5 m from the skid trail edges). The largest changes in soil properties were identified at 0.5 m distance zones for a slope gradient >20% after 3, 8, 15, and 30 skidding cycles. The highest changes were recorded on slope category >20%. The higher the soil compaction the lower the germination rate, root length, and stem height of seedlings.

Physico – Chemical Properties of Forest Soils in Kerala– A Review

Physico – Chemical Properties of Forest Soils in Kerala– A Review

Giving meaning to Ellenberg nutrient values: National Forest Soil Inventory yields frequency‐based scaling

AbstractQuestionsEllenberg nutrient values based on indicator plant species composition of vegetation plots (mN) are widely used to measure temporal and spatial patterns of nutrient deficiency and eutrophication. The widespread use is in contrast to the lack of direct calibration against soil chemical proxies of nutrient availability. Lack of calibration and range contraction due to averaging of a bounded ordinal scale hinder the interpretation of mN across studies. Based on a large set of concomitant vegetation–soil data we asked: (1) which is the best single soil predictor of mN, (2) which combination of soil variables best explains mN; and (3) can a meaningful relative scale of mN be provided for comparative purposes?LocationForests in Germany, sampled in a systematic 8 km × 8 km grid.MethodsThe German National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI) provides a large, representative sample of joint soil and vegetation plots, which were additionally intersected with modelled background N deposition. Values of mN of vegetation plots were related to measured 36 soil and three deposition variables by correlation and multiple regression. The distribution of mN was partitioned based on quantiles.ResultsIn NFSI mN was most closely related to the C/N ratio of the topsoil (r² = 0.31). Multiple analysis regression showed that soil acidity, soil P and K, humus quality and deposition were complementary predictors (multiple r² = 0.47) of mN.ConclusionsValues of mN are moderately, but consistently, related to measurable chemical properties of forest soils. The 10, 30, 70 and 90% quantiles of the frequency distribution of mN in the NFSI data are proposed to define a relative scale of macronutrient availability in forest soils, distinguishing very oligotrophic (mN < 3.38), oligotrophic (3.38–4.8), mesotrophic (4.80–5.75), eutrophic (5.75–6.21) and highly eutrophic (>6.21) sites, which broadly correspond to conventional classes of C/N ratio used in forest site mapping. This proposed five‐class trophic scale can be used to compare mN and its trends across studies in forest vegetation of Central Europe.

Influence of ground-based skidding on physical and chemical properties of forest soils and their effects on maple seedling growth

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of skidding operations on the physical and chemical properties of soil as well as root and height growth of maple seedlings. Treatment plots with three replications included combinations of three levels of traffic frequency (three, eight, and 16 passes of a rubber-tired skidder Timberjack 450C) and two levels of trail gradient (≤20 and >20 %) to quantify soil disturbance and corresponding seedling growth. Significant differences between undisturbed areas and machine trail areas of bulk density (0.75 vs. 1.26 g cm−3), total porosity (70.6 vs. 50.4 %), macroporosity (44.5 vs. 18.5 %), microporosity (26.1 vs. 31.8 %), moisture content (50.0 vs. 31.3 %), and forest floor biomass (3498 vs. 1271 kg ha−1) were strongly related to the level of traffic frequency and the trail gradient. Similarly, skidding caused significant reductions in the amount of soil OC (by 41 %), concentrations of nitrogen (53 %), phosphorous (28 %), potassium (31 %), and soil acidity (40 %) compared to undisturbed areas. Finally, germination rate, root length, and stem height of seedlings were inversely related to compaction. Physical and chemical soil properties are often significantly impacted by skidding operations, depending on trail gradient and traffic frequency, which resulted in restrictions to seedling growth.

Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities Formed by Different Light Penetrations in Forests

The present study investigated variations in soil microbial communities and the chemical properties of forest soils by differing amounts of penetrating sunlight. The soil temperature was significantly higher in higher light-penetrated soils. Higher light-penetrated soils (LP70) showed significantly more fungal communities than the lower light-penetrated soils (LP40 and LP50) (p 4- N concentration in LP70 was significantly lower than those of LP40 and LP50, whereas the other chemical properties showed no significant difference among the soils. The cy19:0 to 18:1ω7c ratio was significantly lower in LP70 than in LP 40 and LP50 showing the negative correlation of light level with microbial stresses (p 4- N, actinomycetes, Gram-negative bacteria, and bacteria. Consequently, the amount of penetrating light was responsible for microbial compositions in the forest soils in correlation with the concentration of NH 4- N and soil temperature.

Biogeochemical nitrogen properties of forest soils in the Japanese archipelago

AbstractThis data paper provides some biogeochemical nitrogen (N) properties and related chemical properties of forest soils from 39 sites throughout the Japanese archipelago. The data set was collected and analyzed under the GRENE (Green Network of Excellence) environmental information project and the ReSIN (Regional and comparative Soil Incubation study on Nitrogen dynamics in forest ecosystems) project. The sites cover 44°20′N to 26°50′N and the climate ranges from cool‐temperate zone to subtropical zone. At each site, litter on forest floor and soil samples (three or four layers to 50 cm depth) were collected between August and November in 2010–2013 from five soil profiles. From the litter layer samples, the stocks and concentrations of total carbon (C) and N were measured. From the mineral soil samples, bulk density, pH (H2O), total C and N concentrations, net and gross rates of N mineralization, nitrification and concentrations of water‐soluble substances were measured. The measurements are relevant for other biogeochemical N studies in forest ecosystems and the data set provides basic information on the N pool and fluxes with related chemical properties of forest soils across the Japanese archipelago. The average rates of net and gross N transformation at 20 °C across the sites were 0.26 ± 0.47 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for net N mineralization, 0.25 ± 0.45 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for net nitrification, 4.06 ± 0.47 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for gross N mineralization, and 1.03 ± 1.29 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for gross nitrification (average ± SD).

Long-term changes in the chemical properties of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest soils under high precipitation in southwest Japan

There is insufficient direct evidence of long-term changes in the chemical properties of forest soils to provide information for forestry management plans for sustainable site productivity. To understand changes in the chemical properties of forest soils in a specific high-precipitation climate in Japan, we re-investigated, in 1997, soil pits within a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest in the Yanase region of Kochi Prefecture which had previously been surveyed in 1976. Comparison of the 1976 and 1997 results revealed significantly lower pH of surface and subsurface soils, and fewer exchangeable cations over time. In contrast, subsoil pH, concentrations of total carbon and nitrogen, and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) had not changed over the 21-year period. Estimation of proton and cation budgets in the forest ecosystem over 21 years, using data for the amounts in soil, biomass accumulation, and input through precipitation, revealed that biomass accumulation did not explain the cation depletion in soils. This suggests that cations were leached from the ecosystem. In contrast with previous reports, which showed Ca accumulation in Japanese cedar forest soils, our results indicated that high precipitation of more than 4,000 mm combined with acid deposition resulted in soil acidification and leaching of cations from soils, following the decrease in base saturation.

Impact of preferential flow on soil chemistry of a podzol

Preferential flow paths are thought to affect the patterns of chemical properties of forest soils. However, little is known about their influence on podzols in coniferous forests. In our study we examined how soil chemical properties of a podzol in a Norway spruce stand are affected by preferential flow. We did three tracer experiments with Brilliant Blue FCF and analyzed soil chemical parameters (exchangeable cations, pH, total C, total N and C:N ratio) of preferential flow paths and soil matrix. For statistical analysis, we used mixed-effects models to account for a hierarchical sampling of our data. We found 5.0gkg−1 more C, 0.24gkg−1 more N, a C:N ratio larger by 2, smaller pH values (0.16 pH units), 32% more Ca and 57% more Mg in preferential flow paths than in soil matrix. Compared to the adjacent soil matrix, the content of Al did not differ significantly. However, 67% more Fe were found in preferential flow paths. These distinct chemical properties are probably due to root exudates, transport of solutes and dissolved organic carbon and percolation of acid soil solution from organic horizons along preferential paths. We attribute the increase of Ca and Mg to their transport via preferential flow paths after the application of lime some years ago. We conclude that a lower pH might enhance the release of Fe (and possibly Al) and thus increase podzolisation. In addition, our results show that soil liming could affect both the topsoil and the subsoil via transport of basic cations along preferential flow paths.

Chemical properties of forest soils as affected by nests of Myrmica ruginodis (Formicidae)

Chemical properties (total and available P concentration; oxidizable C concentration; available K, Na, and Ca concentration; and pH) were quantified for 33 nests of the ant Myrmica ruginodis and in surrounding soil in young spruce forest stands. All properties, except total P, were significantly higher in the nests than in the surrounding soil. Total P was not higher in nests than in surrounding soil across all nests because nests had higher total P than surrounding soil if the soil contained low concentrations of total P but nests had lower total P than surrounding soil if the soil contained high concentrations of total P. The effect of nests on total P in the surrounding soil corresponded with effects of nests on oxidizable carbon (an indicator of organic matter) in the surrounding soil (concentrations of oxidizable carbon and total P were closely correlated). Available P concentrations were much higher in nests than in surrounding soil. Overall, the results indicated that two main processes explain the chemical changes of soil in the ant nests: (i) mixing due to excavation of deeper soil layers and (ii) deposition of excreta and food residues. The effect of soil mixing (whereby ants transport mineral soil from deeper layers to layers near the surface) is more pronounced in soils with high organic content near the surface because mixing increases the proportion of mineral soil in the nest while decreasing the proportion of organic matter and the concentration of total P.

Tree effects on the chemical topsoil features of oak, beech and pine forests

We aimed to study tree effects on the chemical properties of forest soils. We compared soil features of three types of forest ecosystems, each with four stands (replicates): beech forests (Fagus sylvatica), oak forests (dominated by Quercus pyrenaica) and pine plantations (Pinus sylvestris). Five samples from the top 10 cm of soil were taken per stand, from which pH, organic matter content (O.M.), total nitrogen (N) and available calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) were determined. Litter layer depth was measured at each soil sampling point. We also measured tree density and crown diameters at each stand. Our results indicated that soil samples from the four pine plantation stands were more similar while oak and beech stands were characterised by great variability in terms of soil properties and leaf litter depth. Although the identity of the dominant tree species significantly influenced several topsoil chemical properties (increase in pH and available cations in oak forests and higher organic matter and total nitrogen in beech and pine ecosystems), there were other important factors affecting soil features that may be taken under consideration. Differences between soil properties of the three types of forest ecosystems were mainly related to the characteristics of the litter layer and less related to the tree layer structure. Finally, the establishment of pine plantations in naturally deciduous tree areas made the topsoil features more homogeneous.

Response of forest soil properties to urbanization gradients in three metropolitan areas

We investigated the effects of urban environments on the chemical properties of forest soils in the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, New York, and Budapest. We hypothesized that soils in forest patches in each city will exhibit changes in chemistry corresponding to urbanization gradients, but more strongly with various urban metrics than distance to the urban core. Moreover, differences in parent material and development patterns would differentially affect the soil chemical response in each metropolitan area. Results showed that soil chemical properties varied with measures of urban land use in all three cities, including distance to the urban core, which was an unexpected result. Moreover, the results showed that the spatial extent and amount of change was greater in New York than in Baltimore and Budapest for those elements that showed a relationship to the urbanization gradient (Pb, Cu, and to a lesser extent Ca). The spatial relationship of the soil chemical properties to distance varied from city to city. In New York, concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Ca decreased to approximately background concentrations at 75 km from the urban core. By contrast, concentrations of these elements decreased closer to the urban core in Baltimore and Budapest. Moreover, a threshold was reached at about 75% urban land use above which concentrations of Pb and Cu increased by more than twofold relative to concentrations below this threshold. Results of this study suggest that forest soils are responding to urbanization gradients in all three cities, though characteristics of each city (spatial pattern of development, parent material, and pollution sources) influenced the soil chemical response.

Chemical properties of forest soils along a fly-ash deposition gradient in eastern Germany

Chemical characteristics of forest soils subjected to long-term deposition of alkaline and acid air pollutants were analysed in spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in eastern Germany. Three forest sites along an emission gradient of 3, 6, and 15 km downwind of a coal-fired power plant were selected, representing high, intermediate, and low fly-ash input rates. Past emissions caused an accumulation of mineral fly-ash constituents in the organic layer, resulting in an atypically high mass of organic horizons of forest soils, especially in the F and H horizons. Total mass of organic layers at the site with heavy deposition loads was as high as 128 t ha−1, compared to 58 t ha−1 at the low input site. Fly-ash deposition significantly increased the pH values in the L, F and H horizons and mineral topsoil (0–10 cm). Significantly higher concentrations of NH4Cl-extractable cations (i.e. effective cation exchange capacities) and base saturations of >66% were found in the humic horizons at sites where the pH was increased due to the direct and indirect (i.e. higher proportions of deciduous trees) effects of fly-ash emissions. Stocks of basic cations were dominated by Ca2+ and decreased significantly along the fly-ash deposition gradient from 33.6 to 5.3 kmolc ha−1. Proportions of water-soluble basic cations out of the total potentially exchangeable (i.e. NH4Cl-extractable) basic cations generally increased in the forest soil with decreasing deposition loads following the cation exchange capacity and base saturation along the fly-ash gradient. Higher proportions of monovalent cations, such as K+ and Na+, were observed in the water extracts from fly-ash-affected forest soils, while the NH4Cl-extracts were dominated by bivalent cations, such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. These results suggest a greater leaching tendency for monovalent cations in these soils. Stocks of organic C and total N in the humus layer decreased from sites with high fly-ash deposition levels to sites with low levels, from 57.4 to 46.4 t C ha−1 and from 2.43 to 1.99 t N ha−1. The C/N ratios of the organic horizons varied from 22 to 25, revealing no distinct pattern along the fly-ash gradient. Measurements of hot-water-extractable and water-soluble organic C suggested a reduced availability or a faster decomposition of soil organic matter in soils with historically high fly-ash loads.

Response of Norway spruce seedlings in relation to chemical properties of forest soils

The response of Norway spruce seedlings to 157 samples of upper soil layers obtained from 66 forest sites with Norway spruce distributed throughout Switzerland was examined during a 4 months growth chamber study. The pH values of the soil samples ranged from 2.95 to 7.41, with 43% of the samples being acidic (pH<4.75) and with high concentrations of exchangeable Al. A comparison of two soil extraction methods, the NH 4Cl-extraction representing the `exchangeable' fraction of cations in soils and the NH 4-acetate–EDTA-extraction representing the `extractable' (potentially plant available) fraction, revealed similar results only for the cation K. With the NH 4-acetate–EDTA-extraction, slightly more Al was extracted in nearly all the samples, and distinctly more Ca was extracted from samples with pH>6. Seedlings growing in these soil samples showed clear differences in biomass responses, when soils were arranged in classes according to the pH, the sum of `exchangeable' basic cations (BC), or the BC/Al molar ratio. Reduced biomass was observed at pH<4.75, at BC<100 mmol c kg −1, and at a BC/Al ratio <1. Additionally, a significant positive relationship occurred between root biomass and BC/Al ratio in soils with a low BC/Al ratio (<10), indicating a potential for the use of the BC/Al ratio of soil extracts to assess the risk of Al stress. In acidic soils, Ca concentrations in the shoots were reduced but Al concentrations were enhanced. This trend was also apparent when soils were arranged according the BC/Al ratio. Here, Ca concentrations in the shoots were steadily enhanced from BC/Al <1 to >1000, whereas Al was reduced. The Ca concentrations in the shoots were similar to the `exchangeable' amount of Ca in the soils, whereas for K and Mg an accumulation in the shoots occurred. The Al concentrations in the shoots, on the other hand, indicated a constant translocating rate of Al from the roots to the shoots independent of the `exchangeable' amounts of Al in the soils.