Soil quality indicators in an Andisol under different tree covers in disturbed Nothofagus forests

Abstract

Non-systemic logging, cattle browsing and grazing with the site natural vegetation can modify tree covers in native forests and alter the quantity and quality of organic matter entering the soil and hence its overall quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of modifying tree covers by uncontrolled logging and grazing processes on soil quality, in a mature and unmanaged roble (Nothofagus obliqua (Mirb.) Blume) forest. Soil quality was evaluated under partly-closed (PC), partly-open (PO), and open (OP) forest covers, and two soil depths. The indicators used were soil organic C (SOC), potential net N mineralization (N-min), and nitrification (N-NO3), soil microbial respiration (SMR), microbial biomass C (MBC), soil aggregates, and light fraction (LF). At 0-5 cm soil depth SMR and MBC in PC cover was approximately 12% higher than in PO and OP covers. For the same soil depth N-min in PC cover was 68% and 95% higher than in PO and OP covers, respectively; and for N-NO3 PC cover was 45% higher than PO cover. OP tree cover presented a negative N-NO3 (immobilization). Dry weight for LF fraction in OP cover (labile OM) was 90% and 67% lower respect PC and PO covers, respectively (P < 0.05). The soil quality and the activity of its microbial processes were affected by alteration of tree cover, as well by the anthropic action of logging and extensive grazing, the soil in OP cover was the most affected.

Variabilitas Karakteristik Biologi Tanah Pada Lahan Kering Suboptimal

“…Ternyata kandungan N-totalnya pada kedua lahan itu masing-masing 0.36% dan 0.31%, yang tergolong sedang (BPT, 2009). Menurut He et al (2018) dan Alfaro et al (2018), penambahan pupuk N saja relatif tidak menyebabkan kenaikkan nilai respirasi tanah, jadi harus diikutkan penambahan bahan organik supaya nilai respirasi tanah meningkat. Untuk nilai respirasi tanah yang cukup tinggi dari penelitian ini untuk lahan kentang terdapat di Desa Condong Campur, Kabupaten Banjarnegara 10.97 mg C-CO2 kg -1 tanah hari -1 dan untuk lahan ubi jalar terdapat di di Desa Larangan Lor, Kabupaten Wonosobo yang nilainya 0.80 mg C-CO2 kg -1 tanah hari -1 .…”

Growth and nutrient balance of Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson as cover crop for mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations

“…Availability of N, P, and K after treatment (recovery nutrient) was higher in soils with N. biserrata and A. gangetica than without cover crops (Table 2). Dube and Stolpe (2016) and Alfaro et al (2018) reported that soil nutrient availability was higher in soil covered by cover crops than without cover crops. According to Alfaro et al (2018), availability of soil nutrients is related to cover crops.…”

“…Dube and Stolpe (2016) and Alfaro et al (2018) reported that soil nutrient availability was higher in soil covered by cover crops than without cover crops. According to Alfaro et al (2018), availability of soil nutrients is related to cover crops. Soils without cover crops can cause soil erosion and soil loss, thus reducing the availability of nutrients and C stocks in the soil.…”

“…This is due to the interaction between the quantity and quality of organic residues that enter the soil and the subsequent use of soil macro and microorganisms will affect the accumulation rate of organic and soil nutrients (Dube and Stolpe, 2016;Wang et al, 2017). Litter accumulation is higher in the soil with cover crop than without cover crops (Alfaro et al, 2018).…”

Effects of soil and water conservation technologies on the establishment, growth and survival of three tree species

“…Practices such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture systems have the potential to conserve soil and water resources, improve ecosystems services and restore soil organic C (Alfaro et al, 2018) through increased C inputs from higher biomass productivity (Corbeels et al, 2019;Kumar et al, 2020). However, agroforestry systems in the Mediterranean climate region of central Chile are highly dependent on precipitation, which is concentrated in winter.…”