Effects of spruce, beech and mixed commercial stand on humus conditions of forest soils

Abstract

A pedological survey was carried out in a spruce monoculture, beech stand, and in a mixed stand at a field research station in Rájec-Němčice of the Institute of Forest Ecology (IFE), Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry (MUAF) in Brno in the region of the Drahanská Upland in [2004][2005][2006]. The aim of the paper was to evaluate (i) humus reserves and forms, (ii) soil reaction, (iii) reserves of total carbon and nitrogen for the forest floor layers and (iv) carbon/nitrogen ratio. Soil analyses were carried out on samples taken at the end of the growing season in a spruce, beech and mixed stand. The highest reserves of forest floor were found in the spruce stand (71.8 t/ha), which also corresponded to the exchangeable soil reaction 3.3 ± 0.4, the C/N ratio being 27.3 ± 3.0. The lowest reserves were found in the beech stand (46.7 t/ha), the soil reaction was 3.6 ± 0.5 and the C/N ratio was 26.0 ± 5. problem of allochthonous spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stands grown at sites outside the region of natural range has been discussed. The majority of the authors reported their effect on the soil environment as negative (Němec 1928;Pelíšek 1964;Kulhavý 1997). The humus of even-aged spruce monocultures conditions the process of acidification of the soil profile. This phenomenon was first described and termed in the 80s as "new forest decline" when Ulrich (1983) outlined possible damage to forest stands due to acidification of soils. Nevertheless, this theory has also its opponents, e.g. Šály (1978), who described acidification only as a natural process which cannot be "taken out" of the whole context of soil-forming processes and who stated that it was not possible to attribute an absolute effect to the process. Under conditions of the Krkonoše Mts., Emmer (1998) and Emmer et al. (2000) assessed borealization as a process of natural acidification of soils and impoverishment of basic cations. They found that in spruce stands pH values decreased by 0.2-0.3 and the base-exchange complex was reduced even by 10% as compared to beech stands. The problem of acidification has acquired a new dimension particularly due to the heavy air pollution load which has become evident in the Krušné hory Mts. (Erzgebirge) since the 1950s (Materna 1963;Hruška, Cienciala 2001). At that time, mass forest decline occurred in mountain regions as ecosystems with lower resistance to air pollution changed the chemistry of precipitation and atmospheric deposition (Hruška, Cienciala 2001).Health problems of spruce monocultures occur not only due to the effects of pedological processes mentioned above but also by means of a complex of factors affecting spruce stands (fungal pathogens, insect pests, abiotic effects such as wind, dry spell, frost or the increasing general mean annual temperature in connection with the potential global change of climate). Problems of spruce monocultures affect seriously more European countries particularly with respect to the new orientation of management and use of forest ecosystems. In the Cent...

Xylem formation in Fagus sylvatica during one growing season

“…The research plot is situated at an altitude of 630 m a.s.l. The soil type of the area is modal oligotrophic Cambisol with humus form "moder" (Fabiánek et al 2009). Acid granodiorite of the Brno massif is the parent rock of the area.…”

Differences in top-soil features between beech-mixture and Norway spruce forests of the Šumava Mts.

“…Planted forests are in focus (e.g. Fabiánek et al 2009). Natural forests are objects of study less frequently (e.g.…”

The influece of forest gaps on some properties of humus in a managed beech forest, northern Iran

“…Forest soil receives less litter fall when the artificial gaps are created although the amount of litter fall depends on the intensity of the operations and as a result diminishes nutrient transfer to the soil [13]. Therefore, the applied logging system may influence the soil features which have an effect on humus decomposition processes and induces several changes in nutrient cycling [19,20] Fabiánek et al [3] believes that the condition and form of humus in forest management are among major parameters affecting the condition and growth of forest stands. The extant organic matter in forest soils contributes to nutrient cycling and forest soil structure is influenced by forest harvesting and the application of mechanical distur bances.…”