Initial effects of thinning on soil carbon storage and base cations in a naturally regenerated Quercus spp. forest in Hongcheon, Korea

Seongjun Kim, Tae Kyung Yoon, Saerom Han, Seung Hyun Han, Jongyeol Lee, Choonsig Kim, Sang Tae Lee, Kyung Won Seo, A. Ram Yang, Yowhan Son

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)172-176
Number of pages5
JournalForest Science and Technology
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Jul 3

Keywords

  • carbon sequestration
  • oak forest
  • soil nutrients
  • thinning intensity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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