/AnMtgsAbsts2009.55303 Spatially Explicit Quantification of Forest Soil-Site Productivity Relationships.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Convention Center, Exhibit Hall BC, Second Floor

Daniel Markewitz1, Scott Devine1, Laurie Schimleck1 and Pete Bettinger2, (1)Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA
(2)Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA
Abstract:
Soil classification for forest management, with its associated map units for making site-specific management decisions, has relied on an individual’s observational field skills and a very limited number of soil samples.  This approach has led to relatively uniform management prescriptions across a heterogeneous soil landscape.  Developing techniques in soil sensing (i.e., near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy and electromagnetic induction) and mapping (i.e., geographic information sciences) are being used to develop  continuous-field maps that are based on spatially intensive observational data and are designed to improve site-specific management prescriptions. Here we present results from three locations were spatially explicit soil maps of C, N, P, and K in the upper 0-30 cm have been developed along with maps of electrical conductivity through the upper 3 m to predict pine tree heights.  At each location of 1, 3, and 6 ha, respectively, approximate 50% of the spatial variance in tree height could be explained by soil attributes.