Dynamics of nitrogen and active nitrogen components across seasons under varying stand densities in a Larix principis-rupprechtii (Pinaceae) plantation.

ABSTRACT: Changes in the concentration of soil nitrogen (N) or its components may directly affect ecosystem functioning in forestry. Thinning of forest stands, a widely used forestry management practice, may transform soil nutrients directly by altering the soil environment, or indirectly by changing above- or belowground plant biomass. The study objectives were to determine how tree stem density affects the soil N pool and what mechanisms drive any potential changes. In this study, N and its active components were measured in the soil of a Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation across two full growing seasons, in 12 (25 × 25 m) plots: (low thinning, removal of 15% of the trees, three plot repetitions), moderate thinning (MT) (35% removal) and heavy thinning (HT) (50% removal) and no thinning

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6166636 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature