Tuesday, 8 November 2005
14

Biogeochemical Nutrient Distribution in Disturbed Forest Ecosystem of Northern Alabama.

Maria Nobles, Monday Mbila, and Wallace Dillon. Alabama A&M University, Department of Plant & Soil Science, P.O Box 1208, Normal, AL 35762

Forest management practices such as prescribed burning and partial thinning are commonly used to achieve undergrowth control in forest ecosystems. Prescribed treatments influence the physical and chemical properties of soils and change the balance of nutrients such as carbon. However, there is a lack of information on the effect of prescribed treatments on carbon pools. The study was conducted in order to identify the sinks and sources of carbon in disturbed forest ecosystems. Three burning and three thinning patterns were applied to the forest plots in a Completely Randomized Block Design. Soil and forest floor samples from the treatment plots were collected for routine and nutrient analyses. Changes in carbon distribution in forest ecosystems were identified and the impact of burning and thinning on the carbon distribution and sequestration potential were accessed.

Back to Anthropogenic and Subaqueous Soils
Back to S05 Pedology

Back to The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (November 6-10, 2005)