The effect of canopy composition on biogeochemical cycle of Hyrcanian beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) species (Case study: Experimental Forest Station of TMU-Salahedin Kala)

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract

Aim and background: Beech is one of the most valuable industrial species in the Iran's Hyrcanian forests that has varieties of crown compositions with different species and soil fertility. Several studies have examined the role of canopy composition on biogeochemical cycles, and different results have been addressed. Different combinations of canopy covres create heterogeneity in different scales. Regarding to quantity and quality of input and output for flow of water and nutrients, the biogeochemical cycles will be so different. The aim of this study is to determine the revenue of pure and mixed crown of Hyrcanian beech in changes of biogeochemical cycles.

Materials and methods: In the above stratum of Experimental Forest Station of TMU, four crown compositions of beech spcies (i.e. beech-hornbeam, beech-maple, mixed beech including beech-hornbeam-maple and pure beech) were considered. Five replicates were selected for each composition and a total of twenty sample plots were set up in the forest. In the growth season (summer), litter and soil samples (50×50×10 cm) were collected from the neasrest location to main stem of beech trees. The samples were taken from four sides of trees and a composite sample was transferred to the laboratory. Litter’s (C and N) and soil (bulk density, texture, water content, pH, organic C, total N, microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, earthworm density/biomass, emission of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) features were measured.

Findings: Litter quality differed among the crown compositions, with the highest total N concentration and lowest organic C under mixed crown cover. Soil bulk density and water contents were respectively lower and higher under pure beech when compared with the other crown compositions. Soil texture was not significantly different among studied treatements, whereas greater amounts of pH and total N were detected under mixed crown covers. Soil organic C and C/N ratio were found to be significantly higher under pure beech than in the others. Pure beech showed the highest values of microbial biomass C (707.80 mg kg-1), microbial biomass N (50.79 mg kg-1), emission of carbon dioxide (0.54 mg CO2 m-2 d-1), nitrous oxide (0.38 mg N2O m-2 d-1) and the mixed composition showed the greater amounts of earthworm density (2.60 n m-2) and biomass (11.29 mg m-2). Methane emissions did not differ for the studied sites.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that pure beech has more effects on C and N cycles in compred to the other crown compositions. Among different litter and soil characters, the water contens and organic C had more highlights roles in changes of these cycles.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology
Volume 24, Issue 3
December 2017
Pages 109-126

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