Physical protection of soil organic matter following mechanized forest operations in Pinus radiata D.Don plantations

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 141 - 149
• Main Authors: Gartzia-Bengoetxea, Nahia, Arbestain, Marta Camps, Mandiola, Ekhi, Martínez de Arano, Inazio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: aggregate exposure; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; bulk density; carbon sequestration; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; forest management; Forest soils; forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; mechanical harvesting; mechanization; Mechanized operations; Organic matter; Physical properties; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Pinus radiata; plantations; site preparation; Soil aggregates; Soil organic matter; soil profiles; Soil science; soil structure; Structure, texture, density, mechanical behavior. Heat and gas exchanges; Soil organic matter; Mechanized operations; Soil aggregates; Forest soils; Forests; Organic matter; Soil structure; Forest soil; Pinus radiata; Physical protection; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Mechanization; Soil science; Aggregate

Mechanized forest operations have a large impact on soil systems, and may cause disruption of aggregates and exposure of previously protected soil organic matter to microbial attack. In this study, we investigated how C storage, soil structure and unprotected, physically protected and resistant C po...