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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #334903
Title: The impact of single-tree selection and clearcut harvest on selected biochemical soil health indicators at the Missouri Forest Ecosystem Program and Long Term Soil Productivity sites in the Missouri Ozarks

Author
item TAYLOR, ALEXANDER - University Of Missouri
item GOYNE, KEITH - University Of Missouri
item KABRICK, JOHN - Us Forest Service (FS)
item Veum, Kristen

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2017
Publication Date: 2/1/2017
Citation: Taylor, A.W., Goyne, K.W., Kabrick, J.M., Veum, K.S. 2017. The impact of single-tree selection and clearcut harvest on selected biochemical soil health indicators at the Missouri Forest Ecosystem Program and Long Term Soil Productivity sites in the Missouri Ozarks [abstract]. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, February 1-3, 2017, Osage Beach, Missouri. p.38.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus (CNSP) cycling and to determine potential biochemical soil health indicators applicable to timber harvesting in the Missouri Ozarks. Soil samples were collected from the Missouri Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) and the Long Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) sites in southern Missouri. The MOFEP experimental design, (harvested in 2011) contains treatment (clearcut, single tree selection and control) and relative nutrient status (low versus medium) plots. The LTSP site (harvested in 1994) features only clearcuts and control, but has an array of increasing levels of clearcutting techniques ranging from bole only to whole tree harvest + forest floor removal. The samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH and the following soil enzyme activities; Beta-glucosidase, Beta-glucosaminidase, arylsulphatase, and acid phosphomonoesterase. Phospholipid Fatty Acid analysis was also performed, but will not be presented at this venue. Preliminary statistical analysis of these data indicate significant (p<0.10) main effect differences between clearcut harvest and control treatments at MOFEP for the following indicators: pH, total nitrogen, arylsulphatase and acid phosphomonoesterase and carbon:nitrogen ratio. Significant interactions (p<0.10) between treatment and nutrient status were seen in all indicators studied. Single tree selection treatments were not significantly different from the control sites, suggesting a muted biochemical response to selection harvest. The main effects were not significant at the LTSP site. The results suggest the importance of considering healthy CNSP cycling as part of a timber management program.