The Effects of Gap Disturbance on Soil Chemical and Biochemical Properties in a Mixed Beech – Hornbeam Forest of Iran
Journal Title: Ecologia Balkanica - Year 2010, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the impacts of small (85.12 m[sup]2[/sup]), medium (325.21 m[sup]2[/sup]), large (512.11 m[sup]2[/sup]) and very large (723.85 m[sup]2[/sup]) gaps on soil properties in a mixed beech – hornbeam stand of northern Iran. As well as the value of pH, organic matter and carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), phosphorus, potassium, calcium, nitrogen mineralization, microbial respiration, earthworms density and biomass of soil samples (0 – 15, 15 – 30 and 30 - 45 cm depths from gap center, edge and closed canopy positions) were measured in laboratory. Significantly effects of gaps size were found on soil properties as the highest values of CEC, density and biomass of earthworms observed in small gaps. The highest values of carbon to nitrogen ratio, phosphorus, potassium and calcium were detected in medium gaps. The most amounts of organic matter and carbon, nitrogen mineralization devoted in very big gaps. Greater amounts of pH, total nitrogen and microbial respiration were detected in big and very big gaps. It was found that gap position had a profound effect on soil characters as the highest values of pH, organic matter and carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, nitrogen mineralization, microbial respiration observed in gap center. The greatest amounts of carbon to nitrogen ratio, CEC, density and biomass of earthworms were detected in closed canopy. According to the results, soil upper layers showed the highest values organic matter and carbon, soil nutrition elements and biochemical activities, whereas the highest amounts pH, carbon to nitrogen ratio, CEC and density and biomass of earthworms were observed in deeper soil. It is concluded that opening areas of canopy cover should be less than 400 m[sup]2[/sup] in beech forests of northern Iran with considering of soil properties.
Authors and Affiliations
Y. Kooch, S. Hosseini, J. Mohammadi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP150073
- DOI -
- Views 114
- Downloads 0
The Impact of Different Habitat Conditions on the Variability of Wild Populations of a Medicinal Plant Betonica officinalis L.
Plants are important source of beneficial bioactive compounds which may find various applications as functional ingredients, such as components of food supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. One such medicinal plan...
Evaluation of the Ecological Condition of the Rivers from the Subbasin of Arda River
The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/ЕС requires new ecological approaches towards water resources sustainable management on the basin principle and new concept for assessment the water bodies ecological status to be ap...
Alluvial Gravel Bars as an Example of Habitat of the Widest Ecological Spectrum in the Mountain Regions – A Case of Carpathians, Southern Poland
Alluvial stream-bank gravel bars are one of the most interesting types of habitat in montane regions. The flora of two streams representative of Eastern and Western Carpathians were analysed. Both valleys are simil...
Contribution to the Knowledge on the Gastropod Fauna of the Natural Park “Balgarka” (Stara Planina Mts., Bulgaria)
A total of 35 species of snails were found: 6 freshwater and 29 terrestrial. One species was considered as local endemic and 5 species as endemics for Stara Planina Mts. One species was invasive.
Effect of Ecotourism on Plant Biodiversity in Cherlagh Protected Area North-Eastern Iran
Due to importance of considerable effects of ecotourism on environment, the effect of ecotourism on plant biodiversity in Cherlagh zone was investigated .To acquire the aim of the article, the sampling area was sel...