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Long-term effects of commercial sawlog harvest on soil cation concentrations

Informally Refereed

Abstract

There is increasing concern about the effects of nutrient removal associated with various forest harvesting practices on long-term site productivity. The authors measured exchangeable soil cation concentration responses to a commercial clearcut sawlog harvest in mixed hardwoods on a 59-ha watershed in the Southern Appalachians. Soils were sampled 17 months prior to and periodically for 17 years after harvest. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, and K increased significantly in the 0 to 10 cm soil layer for 3 years following harvest compared to pre-treatment levels. Concentrations of Mg and K were still significantly above pre-treatment levels 17 to 20 years following harvest. Calcium concentrations did not change significantly at the 10 to 30 cm depth, but both Mg and K showed significantly higher concentrations in some post-treatment years. Soils in the adjacent reference watershed showed no significant changes in soil cation concentrations over the same 17-year period. Results indicate that sawlog harvest using cable-yarding techniques on these sites does not adversely impact soil cation concentrations.

Citation

Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Swank, Wayne T. 1997. Long-term effects of commercial sawlog harvest on soil cation concentrations. Forest Ecology and Management. 93: 1-7.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/222