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Forest Harvesting Effects on Soil Temperature, Moisture, and Respiration in a Bottomland Hardwood Forest
Author(s) -
Londo A. J.,
Messina M. G.,
Schoenholtz S. H.
Publication year - 1999
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/sssaj1999.03615995006300030029x
Subject(s) - soil respiration , q10 , revegetation , hardwood , respiration , environmental science , water content , zoology , clearcutting , cycling , moisture , respiration rate , basal area , agronomy , soil water , chemistry , soil science , ecology , botany , forestry , biology , geology , ecological succession , geotechnical engineering , geography , organic chemistry
Abstract The effect of forest disturbance on C cycling has become an issue, given concerns about escalating atmospheric C content. We examined the effects of harvest intensity on in situ and laboratory mineral soil respiration in an East Texas bottomland hardwood forest between 6 and 22 mo after harvesting. Treatments included a clearcut, a partial cut wherein approximately 58% of the basal area was removed, and an unharvested control. The soda‐lime absorption technique was used for in situ respiration (CO 2 efflux) and the wet alkali method (NaOH) was used for laboratory mineral soil respiration. Soil temperature and moisture content were also measured. Harvesting significantly ( P = 0.05) increased in situ respiration during most sampling periods. This effect was attributed to an increase in live root and microflora activity associated with postharvesting revegetation. In situ respiration increased exponentially (Q 10 relationship) as treatment soil temperatures increased (mean range 8.3–29.1°C), but followed a parabolic‐type pattern through the range of soil moisture measured (mean range 10.4–31.5%). Mean rates of laboratory mineral soil respiration measured during the study were unaffected by cutting treatment for most sampling sessions. Overall, the mean rate of CO 2 efflux in the clearcuts (7.15 g CO 2 m ‐2 d ‐1 ) was significantly higher than that in the partial cuts (5.95 g CO 2 m ‐2 d ‐1 ), which in turn was significantly higher than that in the controls (4.95 g CO 2 m ‐2 d ‐1 ). Mass balance estimates indicate that these treatment differences will have little or no long‐term effect on C sequestration of these managed forests.

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