Change in soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus after timber harvesting in northern hardwood forests

Abstract

Quantifying changes in soil carbon (C) and nutrient stocks after timber harvesting is needed to inform C management and to ensure that forest productivity is sustained over time. Our objective was to assess changes in soil C, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) 1 year after timber harvesting in temperate northern hardwood forests. We established permanent plots in forest stands for measuring forest attributes before and after harvesting. We collected soils from quantitative soil pits, which were associated with permanent plots, to determine total C, total N, and extractable P stocks and concentrations. Mean post-harvest fine fraction organic (O) horizon C was less than the pre-harvest stock, but we did not detect a statistically significant change in total O horizon or mineral soil C stocks. For the fine fractions of the O horizon and mineral soil from the 0–5 and 5–30 cm depth increments of the B horizon, total N and extractable P stocks were positively correlated with total C stocks. For all of these soil components, extractable P stocks and concentrations declined over time, which could be related to post-harvest stand conditions that favored microbial activity and immobilization of available P. These findings indicate that P availability could be a concern in these forests and that long-term monitoring is needed to consider potential management actions for ensuring that forest productivity is sustained.