Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj
2
Department of Forestry and Forest Economics Faculty of Natural Resources University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Tehran Iran, Alborz, Karaj. Phone: ++98+26-32249312
3
Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Region, Faculty of Natural resources, University of Tehran, Karaj
4
Ph.D. student of forest engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran
10.22059/jfwp.2025.392652.1343
Abstract
The variation in litter layer and forest soil characteristics along elevation gradients is a critical factor that must be considered in the restoration process of degraded soils, as climatic conditions differ across forest elevations, and their effects on the decomposition of forest floor litter and soil property changes are not uniform. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the recovery of the litter layer and soil physical properties in skid trails after logging operations and in undisturbed areas along an elevation gradient (700, 900, 1100, 1300, and 1500 m.a.s.l) and traffic intensity levels (low, moderate, high) in pure beech stands. The investigation was conducted in Parcel no. 114 (Patom District), 212 and 220 (Namkhaneh District), 320 (Garazbon District) of the Kheyrud Forest in District Golband watershed (45), and 416-417 (ShivaDareh District) of Kojour watershed (46). The ANOVA results revealed that the interaction effect between elevation above sea level and traffic intensity had a significant impact on both litter layer (including thickness, organic carbon, organic nitrogen, C/N ratio, phosphorus, and potassium) and soil physical properties (including bulk density, total porosity, and penetration resistance). The results indicated that, despite seven years since skidding operations, the litter layer and soil physical properties had not recovered in any elevation gradient or machine traffic intensity level. The recovery process of the litter layer and soil characteristics along elevation gradients reflects the delicate interaction between climate, vegetation, and biogeochemical processes. With global warming, understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses and implementing adaptive management strategies.
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