Timber harvesting alters soil carbon mineralization and microbial community structure in coniferous forests

A. Chatterjee, G. F. Vance, E. Pendall, P. D. Stahl

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    89 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Timber harvesting influences both above and belowground ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Impact of timber harvesting on soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization and microbial community structure was evaluated in two coniferous forest species, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Management of ponderosa pine forests, particularly even-aged stand practices, increased the loss of CO2-C and hence reduced SOM storage potential. Changes in soil microbial community structure were more pronounced in ponderosa pine uneven-aged and heavy harvest stands and in lodgepole pine even-aged stand as compared to their respective unmanaged stands. Harvesting of trees had a negative impact on SOM mineralization and soil microbial community structure in both coniferous forests, potentially reducing coniferous forest C storage potential.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1901-1907
    Number of pages7
    JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry
    Volume40
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

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