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Measuring Forest Sustainability: How Forest Harvesting Affects Key Indicators of Soil Quality. Alicia L. Kiyvyra FS 533. Soil Quality. The capacity of a soil to FUNCTION within ecosystem boundaries to: Promote root growth Accept, hold, and supply water Hold, supply, and cycle nutrients
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Measuring Forest Sustainability: How Forest Harvesting Affects Key Indicators of Soil Quality Alicia L. Kiyvyra FS 533
Soil Quality The capacity of a soil to FUNCTION within ecosystem boundaries to: • Promote root growth • Accept, hold, and supply water • Hold, supply, and cycle nutrients • Promote optimal gas exchange • Promote biological activity
Key Soil Quality Indicators Physical Properties • Bulk Density • Macroporosity • Depth of A Horizon Chemical Properties • Total C, N, and P • Mineralizable Nitrogen • pH • C:N
Post Harvest Effects: Soil Physical Properties • Soil compaction increases bulk density • Decrease in soil porosity • Change in surface hydrology • Effects are worse for wet-harvested sites
Least Limiting Water Range Kelting et al. 1990
Take Home Message • Tree harvesting can negatively impact key indicators of soil quality • Increase in bulk density/reduction in porosity can have long term effects on water availability • LLWR is a sensitive indicator for monitoring soil water dynamics in plantation forestry