The effect of afforestation with Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) of sandy post-arable soils on their selected properties. I. Physical and sorptive properties

Abstract

Despite the extensive literature on the effect of afforestation of former arable land on soil properties, we still do not fully understand whether the changes proceed in the same direction and at the same rate or how long it takes to achieve a state of soil equilibrium typical of a natural forest ecosystem. Therefore, as part of a comparative study of post-arable sandy soils (Distric Arenosols) afforested with Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) with respect to arable soils and soils of continuous coniferous forests, a range and direction of the changes in some of their physical and sorptive properties were determined. The studies were carried out in SE Poland, 51°30′-51°37′N, 22°20′-22°35′E. Ten paired sites of the afforested soils (five with 14-to 17-year-old stands and five with 32-to 36-year-old stands) with adjacent cultivated fields and five sites of continuous forests with present stands of ca. 150 years were selected. For the physical properties, undisturbed soil cores were sampled from the upper part of each horizon while in the case of A horizon of the afforested soils, from two layers: 0-5 cm and 10-15 cm. For the remaining analyses, soil was taken from the whole thickness of the master horizons and in the case of A horizon of the afforested soils, from three layers: 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm. The following properties were analysed: texture, bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), water content at potential of −0.098, −9.81 and −49.03 kPa, hydrolytic acidity (Ha), base exchangeable cations: Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , total exchangeable bases (TEB), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation (BS). Afforestation caused a decrease in BD, an increase in TP and had no affect on water properties when compared with the cultivated soils. The changes referred to the A horizon, particularly to its 0-5 cm layer, and were related to the stand age. The CEC gradually rose in the former plough layer, beginning from the uppermost part, but during the first two decades its increase in the 0-5 cm layer was offset by a decline in the deeper layers. No substantial increase in CEC, in the whole A horizon, was recorded until three to four decades of afforestation. Afforestation also invoked an increase in Ha, a drop in TEB, particularly Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and K + , and reduction in BS. No differences between soils for all the studied properties for B and C horizons were observed. It was noted that more than 30 years after afforestation, the TEB and BS as well as Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and K + content differed substantially, but in most cases not significantly, from their values in the cultivated soils and reached a level more similar to the soils of continuous coniferous forests. With respect to the water properties, Ha and CEC of the afforested soils still resembled arable soils, whereas regarding the TP and BD, they were somewhere in the middle. This implies that to Plant Soil (2008) 305:157-169 understand changes in the soil properties resulting from afforestation and to predict future trends, long-term research is needed.

ALTERAÇÕES QUÍMICAS DE UM CAMBISSOLO HÚMICO CAUSADAS POR FLORESTAMENTO COM Pinus taeda EM ÁREA DE CAMPO NATURAL

“…No mesmo estudo, as áreas com pínus foram as que apresentaram os menores teores dentre todas as coberturas florestais avaliadas (floresta nativa e reflorestamento de araucária). Quando se compararam solos sob povoamentos antigos de Pinus silvestris L., povoamentos jovens e áreas cultivadas, os teores de cátions trocáveis e a saturação por bases foram menores na área florestada há mais tempo, apresentando declínio nos teores de Ca, Mg e K, sugerindo que eles foram substituídos por íons H + , refletindo em aumento da acidez do solo (OLSZEWSKA; SMAL, 2008).…”

Soil aggregate fraction-based 14C analysis and its application in the study of soil organic carbon turnover under forests of different ages

“…The physical and chemical properties of soils are also critical in controlling the organic matter decomposition. Previous studies show that the soil porosity increase in the early stage after afforestation [88], which can provide a good ventilation environment for microbial growth, and therefore may also be a factor to accelerate the SOC decomposition [89].…”

The effect of afforestation with Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) of sandy post-arable soils on their selected properties. II. Reaction, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus

“…In these stands, Scots pine trees dominate with the addition of a very few English oak trees (Quercus robur). The distribution of the study sites is given in Olszewska and Smal (2008).…”

“…Regarding habitat type, all continuous forest communities of the studied soils were classified as sub-continental fresh coniferous forest (Peucedano-Pinetum) (for more details, see Olszewska and Smal 2008). The forests had not received any fertilisation or weed control treatments.…”