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Forests
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Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems
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Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecology and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2021) | Viewed by 34912

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Cezary Kabała

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Soil Science and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: soil science; environmental science; forest soils; mountain soils; soil monitoring; carbon sequestration; soil organic carbon; environmental risk assessment; soil processes; soil classification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jarosław Lasota

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forest Ecology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
Interests: forest ecosystems; forest soil; carbon accumulation; soil organic matter
Dr. Ewa Blonska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forest Ecology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
Interests: forest soil; soil biology; carbon sequestration; organic matter

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest soils, in many regions of the Earth, are among the least transformed by humans in terms of their morphological, physicochemical and biological properties. Thus, they still may serve as a benchmark for arable and reclaimed soils. Recently, forest soils have received great interest for their potential role as a stable and efficient sink for the atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestered in the soil organic matter. Permanent monitoring of forest soils is known to sensitively reflect both the global-scale processes, e.g., those related to climate change, and the more local transformations, e.g., those by land use changes, management and penetration by people and industrial pollution.

However, many forests have been substantially transformed or even created by humans to improve their productivity and profitability, e.g., by promoting the fast-growing monospecies plantations. Such political decisions have resulted in many adverse phenomena, including soil acidification, nutrient leaching, deformation of humus forms and the decrease of soil biodiversity and biological activity. Presently, such ecosystems are being widely reconstructed with the aim of restoring a more natural structure and functioning, taking into account soil properties and processes. A great importance is also attached to soils in degraded postindustrial and urban sites, where forest-oriented remediation can significantly decrease human health risks. However, after remediation, forest soils require permanent monitoring of the direction and rates of transformation, as the mineral weathering and changes in element solubility may result in new environmental and health risks.

This Special Issue welcomes articles on the themes focused on forest soil properties, monitoring of forest soil quality and restoration in natural, human-impacted and human-created forest ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Cezary Kabała
Dr. Jarosław Lasota
Dr. Ewa Blonska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • forest soils
  • soil monitoring
  • soil quality
  • forest remediation
  • soil acidification
  • nutrient depletion
  • soil pollution
  • soil organic matter
  • biological activity
  • technogenic soils

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 8052 KiB  
Article
Variations in Organic Carbon Content and Dehydrogenases Activity in Post-Agriculture Forest Soils: A Case Study in South-Western Pomerania
by Katarzyna Wiatrowska, Jolanta Komisarek and Janusz Olejnik
Forests 2021, 12(4), 459; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12040459 - 09 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1903
Abstract
Temperate forest soils of Europe are regarded as an important sink of carbon and thought to have potential to sequester CO2 from atmosphere. However, there are insufficient data not only on organic carbon (OC) content in forest soils and its temporal changes [...] Read more.
Temperate forest soils of Europe are regarded as an important sink of carbon and thought to have potential to sequester CO2 from atmosphere. However, there are insufficient data not only on organic carbon (OC) content in forest soils and its temporal changes but also on microbiological activity and especially their relationship to carbon turnover. In this study seven research plots were located on afforested land in the north-western part of Poland in Tuczno Forest District (Western Pomerania) in order to examine seasonal variation in OC content and dehydrogenases activity (DHA) during 2012–2016. Based on the studies conducted, statistically significant seasonal variation of the OC content was observed. Higher amounts of OC in the A horizon were observed during spring and autumn seasons and lower in summer. However, no seasonal variation on OC content was observed in the organic horizon (O horizon). Although DHA is thought to exhibit strong seasonal variability, no seasonal variation on DHA was observed. However, a statistically significant difference was observed among studied years (2012–2016), a sharp drop of DHA was noted from spring 2014. Statistical analyses revealed that OC content in soils was a function of forest stand age and progressing acidification of soil. Moreover, OC content in O horizon was negatively correlated with soil moisture and DHA, suggesting that periods with higher microbial activity lead to lower accumulation of carbon in the O horizon. During 2012–2016 only for the O horizon was an increase in OC content was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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27 pages, 5354 KiB  
Article
Changes in Soil Chemistry and Foliar Metabolism of Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara) and Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana) along an Elevational Gradient at Kufri, HP, India: The Potential Roles of Regional Pollution and Localized Grazing
by Rakesh Minocha, Alexandra R. Contosta, Gregory B. Lawrence, Ravinder K. Kohli, Subhash C. Minocha and Stephanie Long
Forests 2021, 12(4), 400; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12040400 - 28 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2351
Abstract
We investigated changes in soil chemistry and foliar metabolism of Himalayan cedar [Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex Lamb.) G.Don] and Himalayan spruce [Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss] trees along a steep elevational gradient in the lower Himalayan Mountains at Kufri, Himachal Pradesh (HP), [...] Read more.
We investigated changes in soil chemistry and foliar metabolism of Himalayan cedar [Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex Lamb.) G.Don] and Himalayan spruce [Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss] trees along a steep elevational gradient in the lower Himalayan Mountains at Kufri, Himachal Pradesh (HP), India. The foliar and soil samples were collected from four locations along a 300 m elevational gradient at ridge, high-, mid-, and low-elevation sites within the forested Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary that provides water for the city of Shimla, HP,. Observations at the time of sampling revealed that the high-elevation site was being heavily grazed. Soils collected at the four sites showed differences in soil chemistry along the gradient. Surface soils (top 10 cm) at the high-elevation site had the highest concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic matter, and effective cation exchange capacity, possibly caused by grazing. Mineral soils were slightly acidic at all sites except the mid-elevation site, which was extremely acidic in the upper mineral soil. Similar to surface soil chemistry, foliar metabolism was also comparatively unique for high elevation. In Himalayan cedar foliage, higher concentrations of soluble proteins, polyamines, amino acids, and potassium were observed at the high-elevation site as compared to the ridge, mid and low elevations. No major differences were observed in the metabolic profiles of cedar between the ridge and low elevation ranges. Spruce foliage was sampled only from the ridge and low elevations and its metabolic profiles suggested healthier conditions at the low elevation. The results of the study demonstrate the impact of the interplay between local and regional drivers of forest health on cedar and spruce trees in a forested catchment that acts as a water source for downstream communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 2136 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Topsoil Organic Carbon Stocks on Slopes under Soil-Protecting Forests in Relation to the Adjacent Agricultural Slopes
by Paweł Wiśniewski and Michael Märker
Forests 2021, 12(4), 390; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12040390 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1972
Abstract
Soil erosion is one of the major processes degrading the natural environment but also agricultural production areas. Soil erosion may lead to soil organic carbon (SOC) loss, especially from sloping agricultural terrain units. The use of phytomelioration in environmental management, particularly long-term, permanent [...] Read more.
Soil erosion is one of the major processes degrading the natural environment but also agricultural production areas. Soil erosion may lead to soil organic carbon (SOC) loss, especially from sloping agricultural terrain units. The use of phytomelioration in environmental management, particularly long-term, permanent forest vegetation, is widely recognized as a possible measure for soil erosion protection and mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration. The aim of this study was to compare of the topsoil organic carbon stocks on the slopes under soil-protecting forests in relation to the adjacent agricultural slopes. The research was conducted in the young glacial landscape of North-Central Poland. The study indicated the significant role of forest management on the increase of soil organic matter content and SOC stock. The results show that land use and slope gradients are important factors controlling soil organic carbon pools in topsoil in young glacial areas. This topic is extremely important particularly as the effects of climate change become more and more visible, and society faces new challenges in preventing these changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 2086 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Forest Litter and Waterlogging on the Ecotoxicity of Soils Strongly Enriched in Arsenic in a Historical Mining Site
by Katarzyna Szopka, Iwona Gruss, Dariusz Gruszka, Anna Karczewska, Krzysztof Gediga, Bernard Gałka and Agnieszka Dradrach
Forests 2021, 12(3), 355; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12030355 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2153
Abstract
This study examined the effects of waterlogging and forest litter introduced to soil on chemical properties of soil pore water and ecotoxicity of soils highly enriched in As. These effects were examined in a 21-day incubation experiment. Tested soil samples were collected from [...] Read more.
This study examined the effects of waterlogging and forest litter introduced to soil on chemical properties of soil pore water and ecotoxicity of soils highly enriched in As. These effects were examined in a 21-day incubation experiment. Tested soil samples were collected from Złoty Stok, a historical centre of arsenic and gold mining: from a forested part of the Orchid Dump (19,600 mg/kg As) and from a less contaminated site situated in a neighboring forest (2020 mg/kg As). An unpolluted soil was used as control. The concentrations of As, Fe and Mn in soil pore water were measured together with a redox potential Eh. A battery of ecotoxicological tests, including a bioassay with luminescence bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox) and several tests on crustaceans (Rapidtox, Thamnotox and Ostracodtox tests), was used to assess soil ecotoxicity. The bioassays with crustaceans (T. platyurus, H. incongruens) were more sensitive than the bacterial test Microtox. The study confirmed that the input of forest litter into the soil may significantly increase the effects of toxicity. Waterlogged conditions facilitated a release of As into pore water, and the addition of forest litter accelerated this effect thus causing increased toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 4497 KiB  
Article
Impact on the Operation of a Forwarder with the Wheeled, Tracked-Wheel or Tracked Chassis on the Soil Surface
by Tomáš Zemánek and Jindřich Neruda
Forests 2021, 12(3), 336; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12030336 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
The impact of a small forwarder with the wheeled chassis, tracked-wheel chassis, and tracked chassis traveling on the soil profile was studied. The three chassis types were assessed for the influence of the loading of forwarder cargo space and the degree of tire [...] Read more.
The impact of a small forwarder with the wheeled chassis, tracked-wheel chassis, and tracked chassis traveling on the soil profile was studied. The three chassis types were assessed for the influence of the loading of forwarder cargo space and the degree of tire inflation on induced specific and actual pressures of tires on the soil surface. Penetrometric resistances of soil profile and rut depths in the forwarder driving track were measured. The effect of a layer of logging residues in the forwarder driving track on the size of induced actual pressures was determined. The practice of determining the impact of forest machines on the soil surface by means of a specific tire pressure does not have a full informative value. In the forwarder wheeled chassis, maximum values of actual pressures exceeded specific pressures established numerically by up to 203%. Average values of actual pressures could be reduced by 45% by reducing the pressure of tire inflation, by 70% with the use of tracks, or by 49% by traveling on the layer of logging residues. As compared with the wheeled chassis type, the tracked type of the forwarder chassis induced actual pressures to lower by 81% and the rut depth after ten forwarder passes was smaller by 50%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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16 pages, 5325 KiB  
Article
Geostatistical Tools to Assess Existing Monitoring Network of Forest Soils in a Mountainous National Park
by Pawel Jezierski and Cezary Kabala
Forests 2021, 12(3), 333; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12030333 - 11 Mar 2021
Viewed by 1309
Abstract
Environmental changes in national parks are generally subject to constant observation. A particular case is parks located in mountains, which are more vulnerable to climate change and the binding of pollutants in mountain ranges as orographic barriers. The effectiveness of forest soil monitoring [...] Read more.
Environmental changes in national parks are generally subject to constant observation. A particular case is parks located in mountains, which are more vulnerable to climate change and the binding of pollutants in mountain ranges as orographic barriers. The effectiveness of forest soil monitoring networks based on a systematic grid with a predetermined density has not been analysed so far. This study’s analysis was conducted in the Stolowe Mountains National Park (SMNP), SW Poland, using total Pb concentration data obtained from an initial network of 403 circle plots with centroids arranged in a regular 400 × 400 m square grid. The number and distribution of monitoring plots were analysed using geostatistical tools in terms of the accuracy and correctness of soil parameters obtained from spatial distribution imaging. The analysis also aimed at reducing the number of monitoring plots taking into account the economic and logistic aspects of the monitoring investigations in order to improve sampling efficiency in subsequent studies in the SMNP. The concept of the evaluation and modification of the monitoring network presented in this paper is an original solution and included first the reduction and then the extension of plot numbers. Two variants of reduced monitoring networks, constructed using the proposed procedure, allowed us to develop the correct geostatistical models, which were characterised by a slightly worse mean standardised error (MSE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) compared to errors from the original, regular monitoring network. Based on the new geostatistical models, the prediction of Pb concentration in soils in the reduced grids changed the spatial proportions of areas in different pollution classes to a limited extent compared to the original network. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 4053 KiB  
Article
Morphology and Physicochemical Properties of Alluvial Soils in Riparian Forests after River Regulation
by Dorota Kawalko, Paweł Jezierski and Cezary Kabala
Forests 2021, 12(3), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030329 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2371
Abstract
The elimination of flooding and lowering of the groundwater table after large-scale river regulation allow deep penetration of soils by plant roots, soil fauna, and microorganisms, thus creating favorable conditions for advanced pedogenesis. Although the changes of the morphology and properties of agriculturally [...] Read more.
The elimination of flooding and lowering of the groundwater table after large-scale river regulation allow deep penetration of soils by plant roots, soil fauna, and microorganisms, thus creating favorable conditions for advanced pedogenesis. Although the changes of the morphology and properties of agriculturally used drained alluvial soils in Central Europe have been well characterized, studies in riparian forests remain insufficient. An analysis of 21 profiles of forest soils located on the Holocene river terrace (a floodplain before river regulation and embankment) in SW Poland confirmed a noticeable pedogenic transformation of soil morphology and properties resulting from river regulation. Gleyic properties were in most profiles replaced with stagnic properties, testifying to a transition from dominant groundwater supply to precipitation-water supply. The development of a diagnostic mollic and cambic horizons, correlated with the shift in soil classification from Fluvisols to Phaeozems, and in the majority, to Cambisols, demonstrated a substantial change in habitat conditions. The transformation of alluvial soils may result in an inevitable modification of forest management in the river valley, including quantitative alteration in species composition of primarily riparian forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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28 pages, 4032 KiB  
Article
Deep Subsoil Storage of Trace Elements and Pollution Assessment in Mountain Podzols (Tatra Mts., Poland)
by Joanna Beata Kowalska, Michał Gąsiorek, Paweł Zadrożny, Paweł Nicia and Jarosław Waroszewski
Forests 2021, 12(3), 291; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12030291 - 03 Mar 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1633
Abstract
Research highlights: this article refers to the deep storage of trace elements as a result of the podzolization process under different types of vegetation cover. This is also an attempt to trace differentiation in the distribution of trace elements in mountain soils under [...] Read more.
Research highlights: this article refers to the deep storage of trace elements as a result of the podzolization process under different types of vegetation cover. This is also an attempt to trace differentiation in the distribution of trace elements in mountain soils under the podzolization process. Background and objectives: we focused on estimating whether the podzolization process of soils under various vegetation covers led to the deep storage of trace elements in the subsoil. Furthermore, the potential contamination of studied soils with trace elements using pollution indices was assessed. Materials and methods: in thirteen soil profiles under three different vegetation types, chosen chemical–physical properties, e.g., organically bonded and active forms of Al and Fe, podzolization indices, and trace element content (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) were analyzed. Additionally, pollution indices, such as Geoaccumulation Index, Potential Ecological Risk, Pollution Load Index, and Contamination Security Index, were calculated. Results: the distribution of Al and Fe varied among the soil profiles, suggesting different rates of podzolization processes that were partially dependent on the type of vegetation. Exceptionally high values of Alo and Feo were noted in profiles P1 and P2 (1.53% and 2.52% for Alo, and 2.13% and 1.46% for Feo, respectively) in horizons Bs and BsC under Plagiothecio-Piceetum taricum. Some of the soils showed the expected distribution of trace elements as the result of the podzolization process revealed their accumulation in the spodic horizon. Moreover, four different patterns of trace element distribution were recognized. Often, the accumulation of trace elements occurred in Bs/BsC horizons, e.g., in case of Zn soils P8, P9, and P10, which reached 65.8, 68.0, and 72.30 mg∙kg−1, respectively. However, there were no large differences in trace element content in soils independent of the vegetation type. The pollution indices in most samples confirmed lack of contamination with trace elements. Only several soil horizons were moderately polluted and showed deterioration of soil quality or very low severity. Conclusions: in the majority of studied soils, the podzolization process resulted in the deep storage of trace elements, i.e., the accumulation of spodic horizon; however, in certain cases, it might have been related only to the different lithology, and appeared as anomalies not related to the dominant soil-forming process. Anomalies were characterized by a much higher content of trace elements in the BsC horizon compared to the upper O horizons. Obtained data of trace elements, as well as values of pollution indices, did not indicate pollution. This lack of pollution was related to localization of soils within a topographic barrier that protected them from the deposition of potential trace element–rich pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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11 pages, 1135 KiB  
Article
Effect of Deadwood Decomposition on the Restoration of Soil Cover in Landslide Areas of the Karpaty Mountains, Poland
by Wojciech Piaszczyk, Jarosław Lasota, Grzegorz Gaura and Ewa Błońska
Forests 2021, 12(2), 237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12020237 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1648
Abstract
Disturbances play an essential role in the shaping of temporal and spatial heterogeneity in natural community structures. The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the deadwood influence on the chemical and biochemical properties of soils in a landslide area. [...] Read more.
Disturbances play an essential role in the shaping of temporal and spatial heterogeneity in natural community structures. The aim of this study was to provide an assessment of the deadwood influence on the chemical and biochemical properties of soils in a landslide area. The samples used to determine soil properties were collected from the entire landslide area, with locations distributed on a regular grid (50 × 50 m). The soil samples were collected from directly under the logs, and background soil samples were taken 1 m from the deadwood logs. The effect of the deadwood decomposition process was visible in the total organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and microbial activity of the soil. An increase in the enzyme activity and microbial biomass of the soil from directly beneath the deadwood was noted. In this study, it was found that a greater stock of deadwood was present in the accumulation zone, which resulted in a stronger effect of the released components on the soil cover. In order to restore landslide soils, microbial activity can be effectively stimulated by leaving deadwood on the landslide surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 2941 KiB  
Article
Soil Cover Improves Soil Quality in a Young Walnut Forest in the Sichuan Basin, China
by Liehua Tie, Maosong Feng, Congde Huang, Josep Peñuelas, Jordi Sardans, Wenyu Bai, Dongmiao Han, Tao Wu and Wenbing Li
Forests 2021, 12(2), 236; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12020236 - 18 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1873
Abstract
The soil quality index (SQI) is based on several key indicators and is used to assess soil quality. More than 250,000 ha of walnut saplings (Juglans regia L.) were planted in previous cropland areas in the Sichuan Basin, China, using a range [...] Read more.
The soil quality index (SQI) is based on several key indicators and is used to assess soil quality. More than 250,000 ha of walnut saplings (Juglans regia L.) were planted in previous cropland areas in the Sichuan Basin, China, using a range of soil cover types that may affect soil quality with effects that are unclear. We investigated the effects of white film (WF), black film (BF), shade netting (SN), and maize straw (MS) soil cover types and an uncovered control type (CK) on soil chemical and biological indicators and the SQI in the 0–15 cm soil layer in a young walnut forest in the Sichuan Basin over a 27-month study period. The results showed that all soil cover types increased the soil organic matter (SOM), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK) concentrations (p < 0.05), whereas the total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN) concentrations were greater only in soils covered by MS than in CK (p < 0.05). The available phosphorus concentrations were 64.1 and 193.2% greater in soils covered by BF and MS treatments, respectively, than in the CK (p < 0.05). The numbers of soil faunal groups (N) were 45.7, 36.4, 37.2, and 101.5% higher in WF, BF, SN, and MS, respectively, than in CK (p < 0.05); the individual numbers (S) were 92.3, 36.2, 100.8, and 154.5% greater in WF, BF, SN, and MS, respectively, than in CK (p < 0.05). The microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was 15.5, 32.3, 45.0, and 77.1% greater in WF, BF, SN, and MS than in CK, respectively (p < 0.05). Redundancy discriminant analysis revealed strong positive interactions between biological indicators (MBC, N, and S) and SOM, AN, and AK concentrations. SOM, TN, AK, S, and MBC were the minimum required variables for the effective assessment of the SQI. All four soil cover types led to an improved SQI (p < 0.05), and MS had the greatest effect on SOM, TN, AN, AP, N, S, MBC, and SQI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, all four soil cover types increased the SOM levels, TK, AK, and MBC concentrations, soil faunal diversity, and SQI. The MS treatment was the most cost-effective and efficient measure to improve soil fertility, ecological function, and overall soil quality in the studied walnut forest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 1353 KiB  
Article
Variations in Soil Properties and CO2 Emissions of a Temperate Forest Gully Soil along a Topographical Gradient
by Anna Walkiewicz, Piotr Bulak, Małgorzata Brzezińska, Mohammad I. Khalil and Bruce Osborne
Forests 2021, 12(2), 226; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12020226 - 17 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2251
Abstract
Although forest soils play an important role in the carbon cycle, the influence of topography has received little attention. Since the topographical gradient may affect CO2 emissions and C sequestration, the aims of the study were: (1) to identify the basic physicochemical [...] Read more.
Although forest soils play an important role in the carbon cycle, the influence of topography has received little attention. Since the topographical gradient may affect CO2 emissions and C sequestration, the aims of the study were: (1) to identify the basic physicochemical and microbial parameters of the top, mid-slope, and bottom of a forest gully; (2) to carry out a quantitative assessment of CO2 emission from these soils incubated at different moisture conditions (9% and 12% v/v) and controlled temperature (25 °C); and (3) to evaluate the interdependence between the examined parameters. We analyzed the physicochemical (content of total N, organic C, pH, clay, silt, and sand) and microbial (enzymatic activity, basal respiration, and soil microbial biomass) parameters of the gully upper, mid-slope, and bottom soil. The Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method was used to measure CO2 emitted from soils. The position in the forest gully had a significant effect on all soil variables with the gully bottom having the highest pH, C, N concentration, microbial biomass, catalase activity, and CO2 emissions. The sand content decreased as follows: top > bottom > mid-slope and the upper area had significantly lower clay content. Dehydrogenase activity was the lowest in the mid-slope, probably due to the lower pH values. All samples showed higher CO2 emissions at higher moisture conditions, and this decreased as follows: bottom > top > mid-slope. There was a positive correlation between soil CO2 emissions and soil microbial biomass, pH, C, and N concentration, and a positive relationship with catalase activity, suggesting that the activity of aerobic microorganisms was the main driver of soil respiration. Whilst the general applicability of these results to other gully systems is uncertain, the identification of the slope-related movement of water and inorganic/organic materials as a significant driver of location-dependent differences in soil respiration, may result in some commonality in the changes observed across different gully systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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16 pages, 2222 KiB  
Article
Liming Alters the Soil Microbial Community and Extracellular Enzymatic Activities in Temperate Coniferous Forests
by Sangsub Cha, Yong Suk Kim, Ah Lim Lee, Dong-Hyeon Lee and Namin Koo
Forests 2021, 12(2), 190; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12020190 - 07 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1916
Abstract
Soil acidification caused by anthropogenic activities adversely affects forest ecosystems by altering soil pH, which is an important factor in soil quality and function. Liming is one suggested way to solve this problem. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of liming [...] Read more.
Soil acidification caused by anthropogenic activities adversely affects forest ecosystems by altering soil pH, which is an important factor in soil quality and function. Liming is one suggested way to solve this problem. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of liming in acidic forest soils by determining soil microbial biomass, microbial community structure, and extracellular enzyme activities associated with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling. Lime treatment increased soil pH by up to 40%, significantly increased organic matter (OM) content at some sites, and altered the enzyme activity of the soil. With liming, the microbial biomass appeared to be affected by the chemical properties of the soil, such as pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and exchangeable aluminum (Ale) levels, although there were no significant differences at the site level. Enzymatic activity was found to be affected by pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, electrical conductivity (EC), and Ale; and acid phosphatase (AP) and phenol oxidase (POX) activity were significantly affected by lime treatment. AP activity decreased from 0.62 to 0.66, and POX activity increased from 1.75 to 3.00 in part of the sites. The bacterial community richness was influenced by pH as a direct effect of lime treatment. The fungal community richness was associated with changes in K+ that were not due to lime treatment. The bacterial community structure was affected by soil OM, total nitrogen (TN), pH, and Ca2+; and the fungal community structure was affected by pH, Mg2+, and K+. In conclusion, changes in soil environmental conditions by liming can affect soil microbial communities and functions through direct or indirect processes, further changing ecosystem processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 2994 KiB  
Article
New Topsoil Sampler for the Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Soil Contamination
by Cezary Kabala, Bernard Galka and Siarhei Yurkouski
Forests 2021, 12(1), 79; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12010079 - 13 Jan 2021
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Abstract
The forest litter and underlying mineral topsoil are typically sampled and analyzed separately although they are in a dynamic balance, which ensures macro- and microelement cycling in the forest ecosystem, including the flux and accumulation of xenobiotics in the contaminated sites. Although the [...] Read more.
The forest litter and underlying mineral topsoil are typically sampled and analyzed separately although they are in a dynamic balance, which ensures macro- and microelement cycling in the forest ecosystem, including the flux and accumulation of xenobiotics in the contaminated sites. Although the national legal regulations specify single limits of element concentration for the entire “topsoil” layer, irrespectively of the kind of materials resting at the earth surface down to the specified depth, the direct analysis of bicomponent forest topsoil (litter + mineral topsoil) was problematic because of the lack of a suitable sampler. The paper presents a comparative analysis of Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the forest topsoil layers (0–25 cm), sampled using a new construction sampler invented for a joint collection of the litter layer and underlying mineral layer (to the specified depth). Litter samples (using a steel frame), mineral topsoil samples (0–25 cm, using gouge auger after litter removal), and mixed topsoil samples (0–25 cm, including litter) were collected in 16 replicates from four variably contaminated plots (copper mining and smelting area) afforested with poplar or pine. Pseudo-total concentration of Cu, Pb, and Zn was analyzed after sample digestion in aqua regia. The concentration of elements in the samples consisting of jointly collected litter and mineral layer was noticeably higher than in the samples consisting of the mineral topsoil only, which confirmed the effective inclusion of the litter. The concentrations of trace elements measured in the samples of jointly collected litter and mineral topsoil did not differ (NIR Fisher test at p < 0.05) from the concentrations calculated using the data for litter and mineral soil separately collected and analyzed, which confirmed the usefulness of the new sampler for reliable collection of the forest topsoil samples without skipping any material which may influence the results of soil contamination assessment and risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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19 pages, 1832 KiB  
Article
Fertilization and Tree Species Influence on Stable Aggregates in Forest Soil
by Jacob E. Kemner, Mary Beth Adams, Louis M. McDonald, William T. Peterjohn and Charlene N. Kelly
Forests 2021, 12(1), 39; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12010039 - 30 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2523
Abstract
Background and objectives: aggregation and structure play key roles in the water-holding capacity and stability of soils and are important for the physical protection and storage of soil carbon (C). Forest soils are an important sink of ecosystem C, though the capacity to [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: aggregation and structure play key roles in the water-holding capacity and stability of soils and are important for the physical protection and storage of soil carbon (C). Forest soils are an important sink of ecosystem C, though the capacity to store C may be disrupted by the elevated atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) compounds by dispersion of soil aggregates via acidification or altered microbial activity. Furthermore, dominant tree species and the lability of litter they produce can influence aggregation processes. Materials and methods: we measured water-stable aggregate size distribution and aggregate-associated organic matter (OM) content in soils from two watersheds and beneath four hardwood species at the USDA Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, USA, where one watershed has received (NH4)2SO4 fertilizer since 1989 and one is a reference/control of similar stand age. Bulk soil OM, pH, and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) were also measured. Research highlights: fertilized soil exhibited decreased macro-aggregate formation and a greater proportion of smaller micro-aggregates or unassociated clay minerals, particularly in the B-horizon. This shift in aggregation to soil more dominated by the smallest (<53 µm) fraction is associated with both acidification (soil pH) and increased microbially processed C (POXC) in fertilized soil. Intra-aggregate OM was also depleted in the fertilized soil (52% less OM in the 53–2000 µm fractions), most strongly in subsurface B-horizon soil. We also document that tree species can influence soil aggregation, as soil beneath species with more labile litter contained more OM in the micro-aggregate size class (<250 µm), especially in the fertilized watershed, while species with more recalcitrant litter promoted more OM in the macro-aggregate size classes (500–2000 µm) in the reference watershed. Conclusions: long-term fertilization, and likely historic atmospheric deposition, of forest soils has weakened macro-aggregation formation, with implications for soil stability, hydrology, and storage of belowground C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 14796 KiB  
Article
Using Resilient Modulus to Determine the Subgrade Suitability for Forest Road Construction
by Lenka Ševelová, Aleš Florian and Petr Hrůza
Forests 2020, 11(11), 1208; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f11111208 - 16 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1983
Abstract
Forest roads are often constructed in environments with low bearing capacity of the subgrade. The subgrade then has an effect on their service life and damage. According to the methodology of the American Association of State Higway and Transportation Officiales AASHTO, the design [...] Read more.
Forest roads are often constructed in environments with low bearing capacity of the subgrade. The subgrade then has an effect on their service life and damage. According to the methodology of the American Association of State Higway and Transportation Officiales AASHTO, the design of pavement is divided into three levels according to the intensity of the traffic load. For pavements with the highest load intensity, preparing the resilient modulus from a cyclic triaxial test is required. For other traffic load classes, including forest roads, the methodology allows the use of the estimate of resilient modulus value determined from other tests. In the laboratory at the Faculty of Forestry, Mendel University of Brno, the method from the Delft University 2009 was tested and subsequently modified, using a standard CBR machine for repeated loading. A total of 276 samples from various types of forest road subgrade from the Czech Republic were tested by the method of repeated loading on the CBR machine, from which the values of the Resilient Modulus were newly labelled Mr,CBR. The results of the statistical analysis showed a large variability of Mr,CBR values and wide intervals of its occurrence for individual types of subgrade. The variability was subjected to analysis and the influence of basic geotechnical parameters on the values of Mr,CBR was analyzed. A fundamental correlation was found between the value of Mr,CBR and the value of the plunger stress, which reached values exceeding the bearing capacity of the soil types using the Delft University method. It is necessary to limit the plunger stress during cyclic loading up to the failure limit or even better to the expected traffic load. The modified procedure results show a more consistent behavior of the modulus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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13 pages, 1202 KiB  
Article
Sequential Extraction Resulted in Similar Fractionation of Ionic Zn, Nano- and Microparticles of ZnO in Acidic and Alkaline Soil
by Martin Šebesta, Martin Urík, Marek Kolenčík, Marek Bujdoš and Peter Matúš
Forests 2020, 11(10), 1077; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f11101077 - 09 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2945
Abstract
The evaluation of nanoparticle bioavailability or the bioavailability of dissolved elements by direct measurement through plant uptake is a strenuous process. Several multi-step sequential extraction procedures, including the BCR sequential extraction procedure, have been created to provide potential accessibility of elements, where real [...] Read more.
The evaluation of nanoparticle bioavailability or the bioavailability of dissolved elements by direct measurement through plant uptake is a strenuous process. Several multi-step sequential extraction procedures, including the BCR sequential extraction procedure, have been created to provide potential accessibility of elements, where real soil-plant transfer can be problematic to implement. However, these have limitations of their own based on the used extractants. For the purposes of our research, we enriched two soils: an untilted forest soil with naturally acidic pH and a tilted agricultural soil with alkaline pH by three Zn forms—ionic Zn in the form of ZnSO4, ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NP) and larger particles of ZnO (ZnO B)—by batch sorption. We then extracted the retained Zn in the soils by BCR sequential extraction procedure to extract three fractions: ion exchangeable, reducible, and oxidizable. The results were compared among the soils and a comparison between the different forms was made. Regardless of the difference in soil pH and other soil properties, ZnO NP, ZnO B, and ionic Zn showed little to no difference in the relative distribution between the observed soil fractions in both forest soil and agricultural soil. Since ionic Zn is more available for plant uptake, BCR sequential extraction procedure may overestimate the easily available Zn when amendment with ionic Zn is compared to particulate Zn. The absence of a first extraction step with mild extractant, such as deionized water, oversimplifies the processes the particulate Zn undergoes in soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Properties, Quality Monitoring and Restoration in Forest Ecosystems)
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