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Title: Forest harvesting effects on soil temperature, moisture, and respiration in a bottomland hardwood forest

Abstract

The effect of forest disturbance on C cycling has become an issue, given concerns about escalating atmospheric C content. The authors examined the effects of harvest intensity on in situ and laboratory mineral soil respiration in an East Texas bottomland hardwood forest between 6 and 22 mo after harvesting. Treatments included a clearcut, a partial cut wherein approximately 58% of the basal area was removed, and an unharvested control. The soda-lime absorption technique was used for in situ respiration (CO{sub 2} efflux) and the wet alkali method (NaOH) was used for laboratory mineral soil respiration. Soil temperature and moisture content were also measured. Harvesting significantly increased in situ respiration during most sampling periods. This effect was attributed to an increase in live root and microflora activity associated with postharvesting revegetation. In situ respiration increased exponentially (Q{sub 10} relationship) as treatment soil temperatures increased, but followed a parabolic-type pattern through the range of soil moisture measured (mean range 10.4--31.5%). Mean rates of laboratory mineral soil respiration measured during the study were unaffected by cutting treatment for most sampling sessions. Overall, the mean rate of CO{sub 2} efflux in the clearcuts was significantly higher than that in the partial cuts, which inmore » turn was significantly higher than that in the controls. Mass balance estimates indicate that these treatment differences will have little or no long-term effect on C sequestration of these managed forests.« less

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (US)
OSTI Identifier:
20006697
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Soil Science Society of America Journal
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 63; Journal Issue: 3; Other Information: PBD: May-Jun 1999; Journal ID: ISSN 0361-5995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; HARVESTING; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; BIOMASS; FORESTS; SOILS; MOISTURE; CARBON CYCLE; CARBON DIOXIDE; AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Citation Formats

Londo, A J, Messina, M G, and Schoenholtz, S H. Forest harvesting effects on soil temperature, moisture, and respiration in a bottomland hardwood forest. United States: N. p., 1999. Web. doi:10.2136/sssaj1999.03615995006300030029x.
Londo, A J, Messina, M G, & Schoenholtz, S H. Forest harvesting effects on soil temperature, moisture, and respiration in a bottomland hardwood forest. United States. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1999.03615995006300030029x
Londo, A J, Messina, M G, and Schoenholtz, S H. 1999. "Forest harvesting effects on soil temperature, moisture, and respiration in a bottomland hardwood forest". United States. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1999.03615995006300030029x.
@article{osti_20006697,
title = {Forest harvesting effects on soil temperature, moisture, and respiration in a bottomland hardwood forest},
author = {Londo, A J and Messina, M G and Schoenholtz, S H},
abstractNote = {The effect of forest disturbance on C cycling has become an issue, given concerns about escalating atmospheric C content. The authors examined the effects of harvest intensity on in situ and laboratory mineral soil respiration in an East Texas bottomland hardwood forest between 6 and 22 mo after harvesting. Treatments included a clearcut, a partial cut wherein approximately 58% of the basal area was removed, and an unharvested control. The soda-lime absorption technique was used for in situ respiration (CO{sub 2} efflux) and the wet alkali method (NaOH) was used for laboratory mineral soil respiration. Soil temperature and moisture content were also measured. Harvesting significantly increased in situ respiration during most sampling periods. This effect was attributed to an increase in live root and microflora activity associated with postharvesting revegetation. In situ respiration increased exponentially (Q{sub 10} relationship) as treatment soil temperatures increased, but followed a parabolic-type pattern through the range of soil moisture measured (mean range 10.4--31.5%). Mean rates of laboratory mineral soil respiration measured during the study were unaffected by cutting treatment for most sampling sessions. Overall, the mean rate of CO{sub 2} efflux in the clearcuts was significantly higher than that in the partial cuts, which in turn was significantly higher than that in the controls. Mass balance estimates indicate that these treatment differences will have little or no long-term effect on C sequestration of these managed forests.},
doi = {10.2136/sssaj1999.03615995006300030029x},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20006697}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Journal},
issn = {0361-5995},
number = 3,
volume = 63,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1999},
month = {Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1999}
}