Pit and Mound Dynamics Related to Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in a Mixed Beech Forest (Gorgan- Shastkholate Forest)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M. Sc. Student, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, I.R. Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, I.R. Iran

3 Ph. D. Student, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, I.R. Iran

Abstract

One of the most important disturbance occurred in beech stand is tree uprooting that creates pit and mound microsite where caused serious change in soil physical and chemical properties. Pit and mounds have different ages in forest. So this research was carried out to investigate the relation of pit and mound dynamics with some physical and chemical properties of soil in a mixed beech forest in Shastkolate forest, Golestan Province. Soil samples were collected from 4 microsites: pit, mound, around the dead woods and closed canopy, in 4 different decay stages. Then soil Organic matter, bulk density and pH were compared in different age and 4 sections using one way ANOVA. Results showed that the amount of soil organic matter, bulk density and pH in 4 sections were significantly different (P<0.05). The most amounts of soil organic matter were found in pit while the most amounts of soil bulk density and pH were found in mound. Also the amount of soil organic matter and bulk density in different ages were significantly different among decay stages except for pH. The greatest amount of soil organic matter and bulk density were found respectively in 10-15 and less than 5 years. It can be concluded that soil organic matter increase while bulk density decreases when time following up and pit become older. However, older pit has richness and fertile soil because litter decomposition well done and microorganisms activities increases. Microsites created by the beginning of change, forest stand development and soil fertility.

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