Assessing soil organic carbon, N and P stocks and its relation to soil properties in artificial canopy gaps in a managed oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) forest^#

Abstract

Background In the Hyrcanian temperate forests, different canopy gaps sizes have been created by logging under silvicultural methods. Understanding the effects of gaps on forest ecosystems can help in the planning and decision‐making of forestry practices. Variations in ecological conditions caused by canopy gaps may have an impact on the forest stand, particularly soil nutrients. Aims The purpose of the present research was to investigate the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stocks under different gap sizes in the Hyrcanian oriental beech forest. Methods We measured SOC, N and P stocks of soil at the depth of 0–20 cm among 15 artificial gaps along with adjacent closed stand which was created by single‐tree selection system in oriental beech stand, northern Iran. In the center and four cardinal positions of the edge of gaps as well as in the four adjacent closed canopy forests at the distance of 20 m from gaps, the soil sampling was performed. Results The difference in C, N and P stocks among the artificial canopy gaps was statistically significant, and higher mean values were observed in large gaps. No significant difference was observed between gaps and adjacent closed stands with regard to soil C, N and P stocks. At artificial gaps and closed stands, the SOC stock was negatively correlated with clay and positively correlated with bulk density, sand, N and OC. With increasing bulk density, sand, N, P, and OC, N stock was increased in gaps. In gaps, SOC and P stocks were both positively related to soil microbial C and soil microbial P, respectively. Conclusion Generally, it can be stated that there are similar relative ecological conditions between artificial gaps and closed stands, and the interaction among soil properties in gaps demonstrates gap dynamics in deciduous, broad‐leaved beech forest.

Spatiotemporal variation and correlation of soil enzyme activities and soil physicochemical properties in canopy gaps of the Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China

“…Soil bulk density in winter was significantly higher than that in other seasons because of the high soil compaction under the deep freezing conditions. Soil bulk density was higher at gap center than that at closed canopy, the result is similar to a recent study conducted by Amolikondori et al (2021). Soil pH characterized soil acidity, and soil pH at closed canopy was significantly higher than that at gap center.…”

The Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) at Forest Stands of Mount-Merbabu National Park and Upland Farming

“…The amount of surface litter supply decreases as the soil depth increases so that the organic-C content of the soil becomes low. The results of research by [19] in Hyrcanian forests (temperate climates) showed that at 0-20 cm soil depth, SOC, total-N, and P stocks have a negative correlation with clay but positively correlated with total N, organic-C soil, BD, and sand. Soil organic carbon stock also has a positive correlation with soil microbial C.…”

“…Soil depth affects soil carbon content and SOC in the soil [18]. Research in Hyrcanian Forests (temperate climates) showed soil carbon, N-total, and soil P at a depth of 0-20 cm were negatively correlated with clay and positively correlated with BD (Bulk Density), sand, N-total and C-Organic soil [19]. Research by [20] stated that there was a significant decrease in SOC concentration in line with increasing soil depth, while soil carbon was affected by the amount of soil BD.…”