Changes in carbon stock following soil scarification of non-wooded stands in Hokkaido, northern Japan

Abstract

To restore nonwooded stands dominated by dwarf bamboo species (Sasa kurilensis or S. senanensis) into forests, mechanical soil scarification has been applied in northern Japan since the 1960s. The treatment is followed both by natural regeneration and artificial planting. In this study, we quantified the total carbon stock (plants plus 0.3 m depth of soil) of these stands over 35-year age-sequences.The natural regeneration stands were gradually dominated by Betula ermanii. The carbon stock increased linearly to 215.1 ± 35.2 Mg C ha -1 for 37-year-old stand formerly dominated by S.kurilensis, and 181.1 ± 29.8 Mg C ha -1 for 34-year-old stand formerly dominated by S. senanensis.The latter was similar to that of a Picea glehnii plantation, formerly dominated by S. senanensis, with comparable stand age (160.3 ± 6.7 Mg C ha -1 for 35-year-old stands). Although the carbon stock in plants quickly offset the untreated level, that in the soil remained depressed even in the older stands. This resulted in small differences in carbon stock of these stands with untreated dwarf bamboo stands. We conclude that natural regeneration following scarification could be a prime option for carbon sink management in the region. However, we should take a long rotation period (i.e. > 50-year) to ensure a carbon sink state. A potential of further improvements of the practice, including that reduce intensity of soil disturbance, was presented.

Effect of scarification on soil change and establishment of and artificial forest regeneration under Nothofagus spp. in Southern Chile

“…in lower amounts are nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, and the sum of bases is also strongly diminished. The best nutrient levels are achieved through higher contents of organic matter, and its decrease is an assumed consequence of the silvicultural intervention (Aoyama et al, 2011). Still, its effect on a stratified soil as in the case of this study may be more evident in comparison to others (Thiers, 2004), considering that there is no continuity in the transition horizons.…”

“…These effects vary according to the size and intensity of the intervention area (Gastaldello et al, 2007). The carbon balance is uncertain, although the intervened area is the edafic zone with more accumulation in the soil, it is expected that the establishment of a new regeneration will create an area of carbon reserve, although the time factor must be considered (Aoyama et al, 2011).…”

Structural Complexity and Ecosystem Functions in a Natural Mixed Forest under a Single-Tree Selection Silviculture

“…The less intensive disturbance to canopy and soil may have reduced the impacts on the biogeochemical cycle, including the supply and decomposition of organic matter. That contrasts with clear-cutting and intensive site preparation, which have been shown to impair soil and retard the recovery of carbon accumulations over time [43]. In this study, we disregarded whether forest management influenced the quality of stream water, because a previous study showed that its influence is small, given the rich vegetation on the region's forest floor [44].…”

Stream water quality in relation to watershed‐scale practical forest management in a cool‐temperate natural forest in northern Japan

“…The deposited debris was replaced to the area after 1 year. This method is an alternative practice that compensates for the disadvantage that the standard scarification loses the nutrients of the surface soil (Aoyama et al, ; Aoyama, Yoshida, & Kamitani, ). The area is dominated by tall forbs, and is shifting to a secondary forest dominated by birch species.…”