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Site Preparation Effects on Volcanic Ash Forest Soils and Douglas-fir Regeneration Item Info

Physical and chemical soil characteristics along with Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii var. glauca) growth and foliar nutrition were tracked over a 24 yr period following a ground based regeneration harvest and site preparation in northern Idaho, USA. Harvest unit soils were classified as Andisols overlaying metasedimentary parent material within an udic-frigid moisture and temperature regime. Douglas-fir site index at base age 50 was 29 m. Four site preparation conditions were monitored: undisturbed control, broadcast burn, pile and burn, and mechanical scarification. Periodic soil-site measurements were collected on each condition at regeneration stand ages 6, 14 and 24 yrs. Six and 14-yr soil bulk density on scarified conditions were significantly higher at 0-15 and 15-30 cm than all other conditions. Scarified soil bulk density showed recovery to non-scarify condition levels at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm after 24 yrs. Scarified soil organic matter (SOM) and N were significantly reduced by 32 and 42% over control levels 6 yrs post-harvest. After 24 yrs, scarified SOM and N were significantly lower than that found in broadcast burn (44 and 54%) and pile and burn (33% and 49%). Douglas-fir needle mass and foliar N and P content on scarified conditions were significantly lower than broadcast burn or pile and burn conditions after 24 yrs (p<0.1). Soil and foliar N content was significantly higher in those conditions receiving a burn application after 24 yrs (p<0.1). Tree growth on either burn condition showed significantly greater diameter (35%), height (14%) and volume (92%) when compared to trees growing on scarified conditions after 24 yrs (p<0.1). These results indicate that tree growth on frigid, ash-mantled forest soils of the Inland Northwest can be significantly reduced following soil compaction and displacement of organic-rich topsoil. Where soil disturbance is minimized and organic matter retention is coupled with a burn treatment, soil and tree productivity will be maintained or enhanced.

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Title:
Site Preparation Effects on Volcanic Ash Forest Soils and Douglas-fir Regeneration
Creator:
Kimsey, M.; Roche, D.
Date Created (ISO Standard):
2012
Approximated Date:
yes
Description:
Physical and chemical soil characteristics along with Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii var. glauca) growth and foliar nutrition were tracked over a 24 yr period following a ground based regeneration harvest and site preparation in northern Idaho, USA. Harvest unit soils were classified as Andisols overlaying metasedimentary parent material within an udic-frigid moisture and temperature regime. Douglas-fir site index at base age 50 was 29 m. Four site preparation conditions were monitored: undisturbed control, broadcast burn, pile and burn, and mechanical scarification. Periodic soil-site measurements were collected on each condition at regeneration stand ages 6, 14 and 24 yrs. Six and 14-yr soil bulk density on scarified conditions were significantly higher at 0-15 and 15-30 cm than all other conditions. Scarified soil bulk density showed recovery to non-scarify condition levels at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm after 24 yrs. Scarified soil organic matter (SOM) and N were significantly reduced by 32 and 42% over control levels 6 yrs post-harvest. After 24 yrs, scarified SOM and N were significantly lower than that found in broadcast burn (44 and 54%) and pile and burn (33% and 49%). Douglas-fir needle mass and foliar N and P content on scarified conditions were significantly lower than broadcast burn or pile and burn conditions after 24 yrs (p<0.1). Soil and foliar N content was significantly higher in those conditions receiving a burn application after 24 yrs (p<0.1). Tree growth on either burn condition showed significantly greater diameter (35%), height (14%) and volume (92%) when compared to trees growing on scarified conditions after 24 yrs (p<0.1). These results indicate that tree growth on frigid, ash-mantled forest soils of the Inland Northwest can be significantly reduced following soil compaction and displacement of organic-rich topsoil. Where soil disturbance is minimized and organic matter retention is coupled with a burn treatment, soil and tree productivity will be maintained or enhanced.
Subjects:
research (document genres) soil science statistics
Location:
North and Central Idaho; Eastern Washington; Western Montana; Northeastern Oregon
Publisher:
Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, University of Idaho, College of Forest, Wildlife and Range Sciences, Moscow
Source:
Kimsey, M., D. Roche. 2011. Site Preparation Effects on Volcanic Ash Forest Soils and Douglas-fir Regeneration. IFTNC, FRFSci, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow.
Source Identifier:
Site_Preparation_Effects_on_Volcanic_Ash_Forest_Soils_and_Dougls-fir_Regeneration_IFTNC_2012
Type:
Text
Format:
application/pdf
Language:
eng

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Preferred Citation:
"Site Preparation Effects on Volcanic Ash Forest Soils and Douglas-fir Regeneration", Idaho Forestry Research Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/forestryresearch/items/forestryresearch951.html
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