Effects of Quercus rubra L. on soil properties and humus forms in 50-year-old and 80-year-old forest stands of Lombardy plain

Abstract

& Key message Besides the well-known effects on the native plant community, red oak may also impact the soil; the effects of afforestation with red oak involve both organic layers and mineral soil, resulting in changes in organic carbon quantity and quality and in soil acidification. & Context Many alien species have become widespread in Europe; among these, red oak is a common invader of temperate forests. & Aims The effects of substitution of natural mixed forest by red oak forest on humus forms and soil properties were investigated in two paired plots: a 50-year-old (Bosco Vacaressino) and 80-year-old (Bosco Ginestre) forest stand. & Methods Soil sampling was performed from 3 layers at 40 and 49 points in Bosco Vacaressino and Bosco Ginestre respectively to determine humus forms, soil pH, organic carbon stock, carbon-nitrogen ratio (C:N), available phosphorus, and texture. & Results Red oak resulted in a shift from Mull to Moder humus forms; soil acidification, higher C:N ratio, and soil organic carbon stock were observed compared with mixed forests. & Conclusion The major changes were reflected in a change toward less active humus forms; the effects of vegetation conversions were also visible in mineral layers; many of the modifications were more evident with increasing stand age.

Effect of tree species identity and related habitat parameters on understorey bryophytes – interrelationships between bryophyte, soil and tree factors in a 50-year-old experimental forest

“…It is known that this invasive tree has a negative effect on native plant species richness and abundance both in old-growth and secondary forests (Chmura 2013;Woziwoda et al 2014). In addition, Q. rubra has a strong influence on soil properties (Ferré and Comolli 2020). With respect to the impact of Q. rubra on bryophytes, the literature reports are rather poor and divergent.…”

Performing as a transformer species? The invasive alien Reynoutria bohemica changes ecosystem properties in a riparian woodland

“…β-diversity in the herbaceous layer. Disappearance of localised species leads to homogenisation of plant communities, as already observed for the invasion of R. japonica and of other invasive species(Gentili et al, 2019). The cause of species loss could be the reduction of vigour among herb forest species, following the high competition forlight and resources induced by R. bohemica.…”

“…QBS-ar is thus the sum of the EMI scores of the microarthropod groups recorded in the sample, following the principle that the higher the number of groups well-adapted to the edaphic habitat, the higher the biological soil quality. QBS-ar was applied in a variety of habitats, for example, agricultural, semi-natural and natural ones (Menta et al, 2018), including woods impacted by alien species (Gentili et al, 2019).…”

“…They are called ‘transformer species’ (Wells et al, 1986) and are being increasingly studied by scientific literature for their high impact on native habitats (Lazzaro et al, 2020). Indeed, IAPS are known to affect natural ecosystems in several ways, causing biodiversity loss, as also modifying habitat structure and trophic network dynamics (Blackburn et al, 2014; Ferré & Comolli, 2020; Gentili et al, 2019). Unfortunately, in many cases, the consequences of their invasion on ecosystems are yet to be properly investigated and understood (Lazzaro et al, 2020).…”