Vegetation Control and Conifer Regeneration in Northern Ontario: 15-Year Sampling of Soil C Pools.

A critical period study was established in northern Ontario in 1992 to define the optimum timing and duration of vegetation control for jack pine, red pine, white pine, and black spruce plantations in a randomized-block design.  Potential reductions in soil productivity need to be identified to balance growth gains from intensive vegetation management. We used soil organic matter (SOM) an indicator of soil productivity and this presentation will discuss soil organic matter and C pools 15 years following vegetation control and regeneration of each of the four conifer species.