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The Nature and Spatial Variability of Soil Properties Adjacent to Large Forest Eucalypts
Author(s) -
Ryan P. J.,
McGarity J. W.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700020023x
Subject(s) - windthrow , soil horizon , earthworm , soil water , spatial distribution , litter , environmental science , forest floor , soil morphology , spatial variability , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , ecology , soil fertility , biology , remote sensing , geotechnical engineering , statistics , mathematics
Relationships in the spatial distribution of soil properties beneath a large, living flooded gum ( Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden), a dead tree, and a windthrown tree were studied at a wet schlerophyll forest site near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. Spatial variation of the morphological horizons was recorded graphically by visual and photographic observations in radiating soil trenches excavated from the base of the live tree. Additional data were obtained from soil cores sampled on a 40‐cm grid pattern over the face of the trenches, and from bulked soils from genetic horizons. Bulk density, soil moisture, pH, and the intensity of mottling and gleying in subsurface horizons were found to vary both vertically and laterally adjacent to the boles of both the live and dead trees and beneath the windthrow. These variations were interpreted as indicating the effect of the individual tree through the agencies of stemflow water, differential litter accumulation, and mechanical pressures. Counteracting the effects of these processes were the increasing pedoturbation of soil fauna, especially earthworms, away from the vicinity of the tree boles. Earthworm activity appeared to be inhibited in the solum in close proximity to the trees.