Abstract
Thinning can affect soil carbon (C) and base cation balances by reducing tree density and altering microclimate and organic matter budget; however, the subsequent changes in soil C and base cation contents after thinning are not well elucidated. Thus, this study investigated the effects of thinning on C storages in soil (at 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm depths) and forest floor and concentrations of soil exchangeable base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+). Thinning treatments of different intensities based on the removed basal area (no thinning: control, 15% thinning: T15, and 30% thinning: T30) were applied to a naturally regenerated 31 to 40-year-old Quercus spp. forest. Soil C concentrations at 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm depths were significantly higher in T15 and T30 than in the control after 39 months, but not after 4 months. T15 and T30 treatments seemed to increase soil C storage at 0–30 cm after 39 months, but did not significantly change forest floor C storage after 4 and 39 months. Concentrations of exchangeable K+ of T15 and exchangeable base cations except for Ca2+ of T30 depth were significantly lower than those of the control at 0–10 cm after 4 months, but not after 39 months. This study shows that thinning treatments on a naturally regenerated Quercus spp. forest could increase soil C concentration after a few years but temporally decrease concentrations of soil exchangeable base cations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 172-176 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Forest Science and Technology |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 Jul 3 |
Keywords
- carbon sequestration
- oak forest
- soil nutrients
- thinning intensity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Forestry
- Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law