Soil properties in site prepared loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands 25 years after wet weather harvesting in the lower Atlantic coastal plain

Neaves, Charles M.; Aust, W. Michael; Bolding, M. Chad; Barrett, Scott M.; Trettin, Carl C.; Vance, Eric D.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2017.08.015

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…These studies demonstrate that in the evaluation of skid trail recovery, it is prudent to measure multiple soil properties to ascertain if the recovery is complete. Another aspect of skid trail recovery that has received less attention than physical properties is the rehabilitation of chemical properties (Ebeling et al 2017;Neaves et al 2017;Ilintsev et al 2018;Warlo et al 2019;Sohrabi et al 2020). In Malaysia, Malmer et al (1998) encountered contrasting results in two skid trails that were in close proximity to each other (500 m).…”

Section: Soil Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural recovery of skid trails: a review

2021

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In recent years, the study of skid trail recovery processes has gained momentum. In this review, 121 studies on various aspects of skid trail recovery were evaluated to determine when, where and how the dominant factors that influence the process of recuperation occur. These studies were located proportionally in the following forest biomes: temperate (60%), tropical (31%), and boreal (9%). Research focused mainly on soil physical properties to ascertain if there had been evidence of recovery. The majority of studies of a decade or less after abandonment demonstrated that heavily used skid trails had not recovered. On the contrary, lightly used skid trails did present full recoveries over the same time span. Soil recovery tended to occur in medium- to coarse-textured soils in temperate and boreal forests. Considering all forest biomes, the impacts of compaction persisted at least two to five decades after logging operations. The impacts were evident in diminished tree heights and volumes from trees growing on skid trails. The last 50 years of research indicates that skid trails, globally, do recover from compaction, albeit slowly.

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Section: Soil Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural recovery of skid trails: a review

2021

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“…The incorporation of surface OM during bedding operations initially increases mineral soil C and N concentrations (Maier et al, 2012), but McKee and Shoulders (1974) reported soil OM concentrations were significantly lower 8 yr after bedding. Neaves et al (2017) also found a similar reduction in soil C content 25 yr after soil bedding. Such long‐term C reductions in bedded soils are likely caused by increased OM decomposition by soil microorganisms, such as was shown in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Increased soil volume above the water table, and the physical mixing of surface OM with mineral soil by bedding equipment, improves the soil macropore to micropore ratio, lowers bulk density, increases N availability, and most importantly, increases soil oxygen levels in poorly‐drained soils (Kelting et al, 2000; Neaves et al, 2017). The average height of the double beds in our study was 30 cm, but varied from a minimum height of 23 cm to a maximum of 43 cm above the original wetland soil surface (P. Dougherty, pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surprisingly, we could not find any studies on the effects of soil beds or other forest management practice on termite activity. As discussed earlier, soil bedding would facilitate termite colonization by reducing soil bulk density and increasing soil oxygen levels (Kelting et al, 2000;Neaves et al, 2017). Timber harvesting may increase root decomposition by termites, as they accounted for ~50% of coarse root mass loss after trees were cut on a West African farm (Manlay et al, 2004).…”

Section: Termitesmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Bedding of Wetland Soil: Effects of Bed Height and Termite Activity on Wood Decomposition

Jürgensen

Miller

Trettin

et al. 2019

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Core Ideas Wood stake decomposition is a function of both microbial and termite attack in raised beds in the US southeast. Microbial decay was greater in single and double beds than in half beds and unbedded soil. Mass loss was similar for both aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Termites were active only on aspen stakes in single and double beds, where they increased mass loss 20‐30%. As wood stakes decomposed, soil microsite variability of mass loss increased. Microorganisms and termites are the primary wood decay agents in forests of the southeastern United States, whose activity can be affected by forest management practices. Bedding establishes raised planting beds on poorly‐drained soils, but little is known about the effect of bedding or soil bed height on wood decomposition. Therefore, a four height bedding study was conducted on a wetland soil in eastern South Carolina: flat (no bedding), half (7.5 cm), single (20 cm), and double (30 cm) above the original soil surface. Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood stakes were inserted to 30‐cm soil depth, sampled over 23 mo, and decomposition (mass loss) by soil microorganisms and termites assessed. Microbial decay of both aspen and pine stakes increased as bed height increased, approaching 50% mass loss in double beds at the end of the study. Termites were not present in the flat (unbedded) soil, only damaged <1% of stakes in half beds, but were very active in single and double beds. Termites damaged or consumed 43% of aspen stakes in the double beds, which increased aspen mass loss by 30%. In contrast, termites attacked only 11% of pine stakes in double beds, and had little impact on mass loss. Stake decomposition was highest at the 5‐cm soil depth and was affected by soil microsite variability among soil bed heights. Soil bedding increased wood decomposition by both soil microorganisms and termites, and their impact on soil organic matter content and productivity deserves more attention.

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“…While there has been concern about this site preparation method, especially with respect to hydrology, C storage, and nutrient cycling, it has been considered inconsequential for many wetland functions (Harms et al 1998). Studies in Michigan and South Carolina (Neaves et al 2017b) on soil property responses to bedding and plantation establishment have shown disturbance effects to be short term (e.g., <20 years).…”

Section: Forest Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%