Edafología. Volumen 5. Diciembre 1998. 83-93.

 

DESCOMPOSICIÓN DE MATERIA ORGÁNICA, BIOMASA MICROBIANA Y EMISIÓN DE CO2 EN UN SUELO FORESTAL BAJO DIFERENTES MANEJOS SELVÍCOLAS

 

P. Pérez-Batallón, G. Ouro, A. Merino y F. Macías

Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola. Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. 27002 Lugo.

 

 

Abstract

In this paper de influence of forest harvesting and site preparation on decomposition, CO2 emissions and microbial biomass is assessed. The study was carried out on a radiata pine plantation located in a humid and temperate area of NW Spain (Lugo). In three plots of the harvested area, three site preparation techniques were carried out: a) logging residues and litter layer removal, b) mixing of logging residues within the upper 20 cm of mineral layer and c) logging residues left on-site. The uncut reference pine plantation was also studied at the same time. The results showed that harvesting managements affected the soil environmental conditions and modified the dynamics of soil and detrital carbon. Thus, after harvesting the needles decomposed faster, especially where logging residues were incorporated to mineral horizon. After harvesting microbial biomass C was increased in the plot where logging residues were incorporated to mineral soil or were left on the ground, possibly by the effect of the higher soil moisture and higher availability of organic C. The higher soil microbial activity determined higher CO2 effluxes in these plots when compared with the uncut stand. The removal of logging residues along with the increased mineralization could lead to a loss of soil organic matter.

 

Key words: soil CO2, soil organic matter, microbial C, forest harvesting, forest soil management.

 

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