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Biomass removal and its effect on productivity of an artificially regenerated forest stand in the Missouri ozarks

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Intensive harvesting, which removes a greater proportion of the forest biomass than conventional harvesting and the associated nutrients, may cause a decline in forest productivity. Planted seedling response to three biomass removal levels (1. removal of boles only=OM1, 2. all surface organic matter removed, forest floor not removed=OM2, and 3. removal of all surface vegetation plus forest floor = OM3) was examined in one of the Forest Service Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) research studies located in the Missouri Ozarks. Before harvesting, the study area contained a mature upland oak-hickory (Quercus-Carya spp.) forest with some oak-pine (Quercus spp.-Pinus echinata Mill.) communities. Soil nutrient concentrations at one year and eight years later were compared with soil nutrient concentrations in uncut control plots. Survival of red oak, white oak, and shortleaf pine seedlings increased with increasing levels of surface organic matter removal. Mean height for red and white oaks was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater for OM1 and OM2 plots than for OM3 plots. Mean diameter at breast height (dbh) was significantly less for OM1 plots than for OM3 plots. Mean height for shortleaf pine was not significantly affected by biomass removal treatments but dbh was. Overall, measurements of tree growth after nine growing seasons and soil and leaf chemistry indicated that site productivity has not been impaired by the removal of surface organic matter.

Parent Publication

Citation

Ponder, Flex Jr. 2007. Biomass removal and its effect on productivity of an artificially regenerated forest stand in the Missouri ozarks. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–101. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 135-143 [CD-ROM].
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/27817