No abstract

Soil organic carbon (soil C) sequestration in forests is often higher under nitrogen (N 2 )-fixing than under non-N 2 -fixing tree species. Here, we examined whether soil C could be increased using mixed-species plantations compared to monocultures, which are less productive aboveground than mixtures. In addition, we compared soil C sequestration under N 2 -fixing trees with non-N 2 -fixing trees that received N fertilizer. Monocultures of Eucalyptus globulus (E) and the N 2 -fixing Acacia mearnsii (A) and mixtures of these species were planted in a replacement series: 100%E, 75%E + 25%A, 50%E + 50%A, 25%E + 75%A, and 100%A. Soil samples were also collected from fertilized monoculture treatments (100%EFer) of E. globulus (250 kg N ha -1 ).Total organic C, N and phosphorus (P) were determined at age 8 years at two soil depths (0-10 cm and 10-30 cm) and three density fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) were quantified for 0-5 cm depth. Soil C was highest in the 50%E + 50%A mixed stand and was highly correlated with aboveground biomass, not to the percentage of A. mearnsii in mixtures. This was largely due to soil C at 10-30 cm because there were no treatment effects on soil C at 0-10 cm. All density fractions of SOM at 0-5 cm increased with the percentage of A. mearnsii. In E. globulus monocultures, N fertilization did not increase soil C when compared with unfertilized stands.These results indicate that the inclusion of N 2 -fixing trees into eucalypt plantations may increase soil C stocks through increased productivity.

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The Academic Pediatric Association fully endorses the Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine Core Competencies to define the knowledge skills and attitudes necessary to provide the highest quality of inpatient care for our nation's children. We will continue to lead and collaborate in projects to develop, implement and evaluate educational projects to disseminate the Competencies.