Soil nitrogen status of larch plantations in comparison with secondary broad-leaved forest

Abstract

Soils were collected from three neighboring forest sites: 36-year-old larch plantation, 11-year-old larch plantation, and natural secondary broad-leaved forest (as control). Soil pH, total C, total N, C/N ratio, and available N (NO₃-N and NH₄-N) were measured. Laboratory incubations of soil samples were conducted during a 50 days period for the measurement of nitrogen mineralization rate and nitrification potential. The results proved a degeneration in soil nitrogen status with stand age of larch plantations, which implicated one important aspect of soil degradation when natural forest was replaced by coniferous plantations.

Keywords

Larch platation / Secondary broad-leaved Forest / Soil / Nitrogen

References

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