Site creating value of forest soil with lithological discontinuities

The aim of this study was to determine the site−creating value of forest soil with lithological discontinuities. The second aim was to describe an influence of lithological discontinuities on the soil properties and forest communities. Tested soils were grouped according to the ability to create forest sites. The presence of discontinuities has influence on the development of the forest communities, floristic abundance and forest stand quality which is expressed by site index

Stock and structure of deadwood and its importance in carbon accumulation on wet broadleaved forest and riparian alder forest sites

The main aim of study was to present the stock and structure of deadwood in different site conditions. In total. sixteen study plots were established on wet broadleaved forest (Lw) and riparianalder forest (OlJ) sites. The objective was to determine the carbon accumulation in lying dead trees. The investigation was performed in the Czarna Rózga reserve in Central Poland (50°5937N; 20°015E). All live and dead trees were measured on each plot. The species of both live and dead trees were identified as well, and the decay class of the dead trees was assessed. Additionally, samples of different species wood from lying logs in five decay classes were taken for carbon content determination. The study was carried out in the spring of 2017. The average stock of deadwood in the Czarna Rózga reserve on the wet broadleaved forest site amounted to 47 m3/ha, while on the riparian alder forest site it equaled 52 m3/ha. The high stock of deadwood can be explained by the slowdown of decay processes by humidity and anaerobic conditions. Ash was the dominant species in the deadwood pool. Regardless of the site conditions (Lw or OlJ), the stock of ash deadwood was several times higher than the stock of live trees this species. The greater carbon stock in lying dead trees was recorded in riparian alder forest

Soil conditions of spruce forest on limestone (Polysticho-Piceetum) in the upper part of the lower montane zone in the Tatra Mts.

The aim of this paper is to present the properties of soils and topography conditions of Norway spruce forests growing on the limestone (Polysticho−Piceetum) in the upper part of the lower montane zone. The study was conducted in the Tatra Mts. (southern Poland) on six study plots reflecting the living conditions of spruce forest on limestone. On each plot the topography conditions were described, soil pits were dug and samples for laboratory analysis were collected. The following characteristics were determined in the soil samples: pH, the content of C and N, particle size, the content of Ca, Mg, Na and K, exchangeable acidity, aluminum content and hydrolityc acidity. For each study plot the stand characteristics were measured (diameter at breast height and height). The Soil Trophic Index for mountain areas (SIGg) was calculated on the basis of <0.02 mm fraction content, the sum of exchangeable base cations, soil acidity and the total content of N and C organic in the humus−mineral horizon. Polysticho−Piceetum stands in the upper part of the lower zone between 1000 and 1200 m above sea level developed in the unique geomorphological and geological conditions. They covered very shallow weathered fragments of limestone or steep slopes with fine−grained scree of carbonate rocks. Rendzic Hyperskeletic Leptosols (Humic) and Calcaric Lithic Leptosol are soils typical for analysed spruce stands. Character of site was reflected in the SIGg values that ranged between 15 and 20. The moder−mull and tangel−mor humus type was found on the majority of the investigated plots. Low fertility of soil was confirmed by the site index of analysed stands (IVth and Vth class)

A comparison of C:N:P stoichiometry in soil and deadwood at an advanced decomposition stage

The aim of this study is to compare the C/N/P stoichiometry of deadwood among four tree species at different stages of decomposition. The way in which the relative concentrations of these elements in the soil are directly impacted by deadwood decomposition is also explored. First, hornbeam, alder, aspen and fir logs in different decomposition stages (III, IV and V) were selected and sampled. Second, the concentration and stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous were established. Marked differences in C/N/P stoichiometry were observed between deadwood in an advanced decomposition stage and the soil immediately under the log. The average C/N/P ratio of soil under the influence of deadwood was narrower compared to the C/N/P ratio of deadwood. The C/N/P ratio of studied soils was similar to the expected C/N/P ratio of organic soils or humus. The results indicate that stage of decomposition and tree species have an impact on the elemental stoichiometry of the soil. Thus, C/N/P stoichiometry is a useful indicator of the intensity of nutrient flux from deadwood to the soil

Application of the Soil Trophic Index for the mountain areas (SIGg) in the assessment of the quality of the dying spruce stands sites

In recent years, we face a massive dieback of Norway spruce stands in Poland. The cause of this process may lay in the way of their monocultural silviculture. The correct assessment of the habitat conditions and soil properties in particular is the basis of the proper management of these forest areas. The aim of this study was to verify application of the trophic soil index for mountain areas (SIGg) in the assessment of site conditions for spruce stands with different health condition. Three types of spruce stands were distinguished: degenerated, weakened and stable. In total, 32 study plots were established in following forest districts in southern Poland: Ustroń, Wisła, Bielsko, Węgierska Górka, Jeleśnia, Ujsoły and Lądek Zdrój. The SIGg was calculated on the basis of <0.02 mm fraction content, the sum of exchangeable base cations, soil acidity and the total content of N and organic C in the humus−mineral horizon. These attributes are useful to determine the potential productivity of the soils did not differentiate visibly the analyzed stand variants. The soil in degenerated and weakened spruce stands showed higher degree of acidity and less the content of base cations compared to soils of stable spruce stands. Mountain trophic soil index can be applied in the assessment of the forest sites potential. Although it does not enable to monitor the disturbances in the nutrients circulation, the detailed analysis of its components allows for precise assessment of the forest sites status

Evaluation of the mountain sites on the basis of soil trophic index (SIGg)

The correct assessment of the site conditions is the basis of the good management of forest areas. The aim of this study was to find a set of soil properties, which allow separating the diverse sites in terms of the soil productivity. We used 180 locations in the Carpathians and the Sudety Mountains for testing. The study plots were located in transects from the foothills to the top along the slopes, taking into account the variability of site conditions, geological substrate and exposition. The index was calculated on the basis of the content of <0.02 mm particles, the sum of exchangeable base cations, soil acidity and the ratio between total N content and organic C in the humus−mineral horizon. The soil trophic index for mountain areas (SIGg) that include the climatic factor was introduced. The factor is defined as the 650/altitude ratio for a given point above sea level. In the mountains, the content of <0.02 mm fraction, the sum of exchangeable base cations and soil acidity were determined in the column of 1 m² of the soil cross section and depth of 1 m (1 m³ of volume) due to the lower depth of the soil profile. The SIGg correctly separates soil of different productivity as the properties closely associated with the stable elements of the soil, expressing its production and properties, which reflect the current state of the soil environment, were used in the construction SIGg

Influence of parent material on the spatial distribution of organic carbon stock in the forest soils

The study focused on the influence of several soil properties and forest species composition on spatial distribution of organic carbon stock in soils developed from the contrasted parent materials: Tertiary claystones and sandstones, and Qurternary sands of different origins. Soil sampling was performed on 110 plots, while forest mensuration was conducted on 82 ones. The content of <0.05 mm fraction determined by the type of parent material played a key role in the distribution of carbon stock in soils. Higher content of fine fraction favoured the accumulation in mineral part of soil, while higher sand content had an indirect influence on accumulation of carbon in the organic horizon. Forest species composition and biomass volume are more important for C accumulation in the O horizons. Taking into account the geological heterogeneity, the size of investigation area played a prominent role for the statistical significance of the observed correlations between carbon stocks and the other soil properties