Soil properties under Norway spruce differ in spruce dominated and mixed broadleaf forests of the Southern Taiga

Abstract

In natural forest, disturbance changes tree species composition which in turn affects soil properties. Two areas in the Central Forest State Biosphere Reserve, in the Russian Southern Taiga Zone, differed in the intensity of disturbance: Norway spruce was the dominant species at one site, while at the other spruce was mixed with broadleaves. The presence of broadleaves was due to large gaps in the canopy having been formed, which have triggered vegetation succession. At both sites, five plots were selected to evaluate how the presence of broadleaves influences the properties of the soils under spruce. Soil samples were taken close to spruce trees and the O, A and E horizons were analysed. A difference in the distribution of organic matter in the soil horizons was evident, with a higher concentration in the O and A horizons at the spruce dominated site, while a more homogeneous distribution was found under spruce at the site where broadleaves were abundant. The organic matter did not only differ in quantity, but also in quality as estimated by the C/N ratio, and therefore affected the CEC and element relative availability. No differences at the two sites were found for water-extractable and exchangeable elements, but the ratio between the exchangeable and the acidextractable forms were different, suggesting a higher relative availability of the elements at the spruce dominated site, and thus potentially higher leaching. Both theoretical and empirical studies have suggested that podzolisation and accumulation of organic matter in the O horizon are related to stagnation of ecosystem processes and ecosystem decline. Our data suggest that the presence to windthrow sites and the inclusion of broadleaf species acts to slow or even reverse podzolisation even in spruce dominated sites.

Effects of afforestation on soil organic matter characteristics under subtropical forests with low elevation

“…Soils under coniferous stands were found to contain poorer nutrient pools and higher organic C content and C/N ratio than those under deciduous stands (Hagen-Thorn et al 2004;Egli et al 2007). However, Bonifacio et al (2008) found no pronounced differences in nutrient pools in topsoils of coniferous and deciduous forests.…”

“…Several studies have investigated the effect of different vegetation species on soil properties in Mediterranean and temperate areas in Europe (Hagen-Thorn et al 2004;Egli et al 2007;Bonifacio et al 2008). These studies compared the effect of different monospecific stands on soil properties, with some consideration of the effects of admixture species.…”

Fine root biomass and turnover in southern taiga estimated by root inclusion nets

“…All observations (6 nets, 2 ingrowth cores or 2 root cores) from one replicate plot were averaged at this level prior to carrying out statistical analysis (Bonifacio et al 2008). One-or two-way ANOVA was used to compare the sites or measurement methods.…”

“…The second site is dominated by Norway spruce (spruce forest), while at the third site the presence of broadleaves forms a mixed species forest (mixed forest). At both sites in addition to Norway spruce, birch (Betula pubescens L.) and aspen (Populus tremula L.) are present in the overstorey and mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.) is present in the understorey (Bonifacio et al 2008). The presence of these species is greater in the mixed species stand, where maple (Acer platanoides L.), lime (Tilia cordata P.…”

Temporal patterns of net soil N mineralization and nitrification through secondary succession in the subtropical forests of eastern China

“…Soil N mineralization and nitrification is influenced by many factors, such as soil substrate quality, soil concentration of phenolic compounds (tannins), soil pH, and activity of microbes (Vitousek et al 1989;Berendse 1990;Northup et al 1998;Gilliam et al 2001;Bélanger et al 2004;Bonifacio et al 2008;Yan et al 2008b). Change in patterns of these factors through succession has significant impacts on the direction of soil N mineralization and nitrification.…”