Publication Date:
2006-10-01
Description:
The long-term impact (30 years) of three contrasting thinning programs (unthinned, moderately thinned, and heavily thinned) on selected forest-floor properties and on the foliar nutrient status of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands (46, 50, and 67 years old) was evaluated at three sites on acid soils in the Belgian Ardennes. Sampling involved needles (current-year, 1-year-old, and recently fallen) and soil organic layers (OL, OF, OH, OA). For all samples, dry mass and element concentrations (C, N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Al, Fe) were determined. Linear mixed models were used to analyze these data and showed that forest-floor mass was negatively affected by thinning (p = 0.0003) and that the N concentration in the forest floor increased with thinning intensity (p = 0.0008), while its Mn concentration decreased (p
Print ISSN:
0045-5067
Electronic ISSN:
1208-6037
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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