Influence of gap size on organic matter decomposition, microbial biomass and nutrient cycle in Calabrian pine (Pinus laricio, Poiret) stands

Muscolo, Adele; Sidari, Maria; Mercurio, Riccardo

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.01.058

Cited by 101 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…However, no regular patterns were observed for soil chemical properties with respect to gap size. Our results are not always in agreement with those of earlier studies, though similar findings for soil pH are reported by Muscolo et al (2007) and Ritter et al (2005). On the contrary, Muscolo et al (2010) and Arunachalam & Arunachalam (2000) found that soil pH was slightly higher in small gaps, while Kooch et al (2010) and Haghverdi et al (2012) reported higher pH values for large openings as compared to medium gaps.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Extractable P-PO4 -3 was determined according to the molibdophosphoric blue color method using a Beckman DU 530 model UV spectrophotometer at 660 mµ wavelength as milligram per liter (Ministry of Forestry 1994). In order to estimate soil OM content, soil organic carbon was measured using the Walkley and Black method, and multiplied by a conversion factor of 1.72 (Jackson 1958, SERA-IEG-6*1 1995, Muscolo et al 2007).…”

Section: Sample Collection and Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chunyu & Xiuhai (2007) found a positive correlations between gap size and both soil bulk density and total N content, while negative relations were found between gap size and water content, OM in litter, and soil NH4 + . Muscolo et al (2007) reported that C (%), P (%), and OM contents in the soil decreased significantly as gap size increased. In contrast, Thiel & Perakis (2009) studied extractable NH4 + and NO3 -pools, net N mineralization and nitrification rates, and NH4 + and NO3…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, different tree species in the surrounding canopy have been reported to differently affect the soil chemical characteristics in the gaps (Augusto et al 1998, Hagen-Thorn et al 2004, Sariyildiz et al 2005, Wang & Wang 2007, Vesterdal et al 2008 (Ritter 2005, Muscolo et al 2007, 2010 have demonstrated that the soil compaction due to harvesting activities (e.g., logging machines) may affect the hydrological, physical and chemical properties of the soil, as well as the decomposition and mineralization processes, determining an increase in the surface runoff and nutrient leaching, poor aeration, and low moisture capacity and porosity in the soil (Muscolo et al 2010). Finally, Bartsch (2000) and Scharenbroch & Bockheim (2007) found that gaps had less cations as compared to the surrounding forest stands due to nutrient leaching.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of size and surrounding forest vegetation on chemical properties of soil in forest gaps

Özcan¹,

Gökbulak²

2015

iForest

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© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry IntroductionForest openings are special habitats differing from the surrounding forest environment and having a significant effect on forage production (Frost & Edinger 1991, Fernald et al. 2009), plant diversity and species composition (Rhoades et al. 2004, Galhidy et al. 2006, Chunyu & Xiuhai 2007, seedling establishment and growth (Muscolo et al. 2010), climatic parameters (Ritter et al. 2005, and soil chemical properties (Chunyu & Xiuhai 2007, Scharenbroch & Bockheim 2007, Thiel & Perakis 2009). Gap size influences especially ambient and soil temperatures, solar radiation, wind speed, and soil moisture. Carlson & Groot (1997) reported that both seasonal average soil temperatures and soil temperature extremes increased as gap size increased and greater temperature extremes occurred in larger openings. Similarly, Fernald et al. (2009) found greater soil moisture, soil and air temperatures in the interspaces than underneath dead and alive tree canopies. Similar results were also reported in other studies (Morecroft et al. 1998, Scharenbroch & Bockheim 2007, Renaud & Rebetez 2009). Soil moisture and temperature affect not only litter decomposition but also other processes occurring in the soil. Muscolo et al. (2010) found that medium-sized gaps had a higher soil temperature and photosynthetically active radiation transmittance, and lower soil moisture than small-sized gaps and organic matter (OM) decayed more rapidly in the medium gap than in the small gap. Indeed, higher soil moisture and temperature conditions can favor the rapid decomposition of litter materials and, hence, the nutrient cycling in the openings.Seedling establishment and plant growth in the forest openings depend not only on the microclimatic conditions within the gaps but also on the distribution of soil nutrients, since the size of the forest gaps has an effect on physical and chemical properties of the soil and on the substrate availability. Chunyu & Xiuhai (2007) found a positive correlations between gap size and both soil bulk density and total N content, while negative relations were found between gap size and water content, OM in litter, and soil NH4 table NH4 + and NO3 -pools, net N mineralization and nitrification rates, and NH4 + and NO3-ion exchange resin (IER) concentrations in the gaps, finding no significant differences between 0.4 and 0.1 ha gaps for most of the studied parameters. Besides gap size, the surrounding forest cover also plays a significant role in the productivity of forest openings by influencing nutrient dynamics in the soils. Chunyu & Xiuhai (2007) found that soil OM content, total N +3 and total K + were greater in the forest gaps than under a Pinus koraiensis canopy. Rhoades et al. (2004) examined the soil properties of forest openings and surrounding forests in Kentucky's Knobs region and reported that soil pH, extractable cations, bulk density, and silt content were higher and extractable P was lower in the openings compared to the forest soils.A number of studies hav...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Sample Collection and Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of size and surrounding forest vegetation on chemical properties of soil in forest gaps

Özcan¹,

Gökbulak²

2015

iForest

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“…After 8 years, pine regeneration dominated inside large gaps, whereas native species such as silver fir and beech prevailed inside small gaps. Subsequently, Muscolo et al (2007b), in the same experimental area, examined the impacts of small (380 m 2 ), medium (855 m 2 ) and large (1520 m 2 ) gaps on microclimate, soil properties and microbial biomass acting as a "source" of plants nutrients. Their results indicated that PAR transmittance significantly increased with increasing gap sizes, with important consequences on the local microclimate.…”

Section: Iforest -Biogeosciences and Forestrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of canopy gap openings to restore coniferous stands in Mediterranean environment

Muscolo¹,

Settineri²,

Bagnato³

et al. 2017

iForest

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In Mediterranean regions, climate change increasingly affect tree species distributions. Conifer forests under continuing disturbance show a more rapid shift to dominance by beech and other temperate broadleaves. Thus, there is an urgent need to conserve coniferous vegetation to avoid local extinction. Gap opening has profound effects on the structure and dynamics of most forests and may represent a sustainable way to restore coniferous ecosystems in Mediterranean habitats. What kind of artificial canopy opening is the most sustainable and effective means for restoring coniferous ecosystem functions? We explored the efficacy of artificial gaps in regeneration and dynamics of coniferous in Mediterranean environment. We examined how regeneration of different tree species is associated with soil environmental conditions and how gaps of different sizes influence the ecology and management of Mediterranean forest. Specifically, we analyzed gap disturbance in silver fir and black pine stands, as they dominate central and southern Italian forests. We demonstrated a specificity between gap size and coniferous species regeneration, indicating that small gaps (about 200 m 2 ) favor silver fir regeneration, while black pine, depending on its subspecies, regenerates both in small and medium gaps (about 500 m 2 ). Further, we found that gap characteristics (age and shape) and suitable substrate availability are the primary factors affecting seedling establishment. Our results provide functional information to design a silvicultural system useful to manage the natural regeneration of Mediterranean forest minimizing the environmental and visual impact.

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Thinning‐induced canopy opening exerted a specific effect on soil nematode community

Yang

Pang

Bao

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Changes in microclimate, soil physicochemical properties, understory vegetation cover, diversity, and composition as well as soil microbial community resulting from silvicultural practices are expected to alter soil food webs. Here, we investigated whether and how contrasting‐sized canopy openings affect soil nematode community within a 30 year‐aged spruce plantation. The results indicated that the responses of soil nematodes to canopy opening size were dependant on their feeding habit. The abundance of total nematodes and that of free‐living nematodes was negatively correlated with soil bulk density, whereas the abundance of omnivore–predators was negatively correlated with soil bulk density and shrubs cover, respectively. The ratio of the sum abundance of predators and omnivores to the plant parasites’ abundance, Simpson's dominance index, Pielou's evenness index, and sigma maturity index, maturity index (MI), MI 2‐5, basal index, enrichment index, and structure index was sensitive to alteration in canopy opening size. Multivariate analysis indicated that thinning‐induced gap size resulted in contrasting nematode assemblages. In conclusion, soil nematodes should be integrated as an indicator to monitor soil multifunctionality change due to thinning.

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Influence of gap size on organic matter decomposition, microbial biomass and nutrient cycle in Calabrian pine (Pinus laricio, Poiret) stands

Cited by 101 publications

References 32 publications

Effect of size and surrounding forest vegetation on chemical properties of soil in forest gaps

Effect of size and surrounding forest vegetation on chemical properties of soil in forest gaps

Use of canopy gap openings to restore coniferous stands in Mediterranean environment

Thinning‐induced canopy opening exerted a specific effect on soil nematode community

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