Changes in soil carbon quantity and quality due to forest harvesting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v16i92.1584Keywords:
soil organic carbon, forest management, C/N ratio, carbon reservoirs, soil respiration, forest soilAbstract
Soil is the main carbon reservoir in forest ecosystems. Forest harvesting may alter both the quantity and quality of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its respiration potential; however, few studies have addressed these effects. This study aimed to quantify organic carbon mass to 80 cm depth, the C/N ratio, and estimate the potential CO2 respiration of surface soil (0-15 cm) in Abies religiosa stands with (CA) and without (SA) timber harvesting. The study was conducted in Atlautla, State of Mexico, where three harvested stands (three years after logging) and three unharvested stands were selected. Comparisons between sites were made using the Mann-Whitney test (p>0.05). No significant differences were found in bulk density, SOC content, or potential respiration between CA and SA stands. The C/N ratio was significantly lower at 45 cm depth in SA stands, indicating more labile carbon. Respired carbon represented 4.6 and 6.3 % of total SOC for CA and SA stands, respectively. Although this result was contrary to expectations, since soil disturbance from logging could enhance carbon oxidation, it was consistent with the trend of lower C/N ratio, suggesting higher labile soil carbon in SA sites. Due to the short post-harvest period (three years), low harvesting intensity, and high natural soil variability, detecting changes in soil carbon mass and quality caused by forest harvesting is difficult.
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