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Forestry
Sciences Laboratory Main Page
The Mission of the RWU SRS-4160
is to quantify above- and below-ground processes governing sustainability
of forest function and productivity, predict forest functional dynamics,
and model the interaction of soil processes, plant physiology, forest
management, and the environment.
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Litter Raking Effects on Soil Chemistry and Tree Growth
FS-SE-4102-186 - Effect of Forest Floor Removal, Prescribed Burning
and Nitrogen Fertilization on Soil Chemistry and Pine Productivity.
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of forest floor
removal, prescribed burning, and nitrogen fertilization on the soil
properties, and growth and foliar nutrient content of loblolly and longleaf
pine on upper Coastal Plain sites. The study was initiated by William
McKee, Jr., and Jacques Jorgensen in 1986, and was amended by Marilyn
Buford and Kim Ludovici in 1995 to include the measurements of litter
production and nutrient removal.
Objectives
- To evaluate the effect of prescribed burning and litter removal
on growth, soil nutrient levels and foliage nutrient content of macro-nutrients
in closed stands of loblolly and longleaf pine.
- To determine if the nutrient loss from the forest floor by burning
or litter removal can be replaced with the application of nitrogen
fertilizer.
Methods
The study is located on the Savannah River Institute in Aiken County,
South Carolina. The soil in the area is mapped as Arenic Plinthic Paleudults,
and the site has a long history of past agricultural row crops. A 35-year-old
longleaf pine and 15-year-old loblolly pine stand were selected, and replicate
plots of forest floor removal and control were split for fertilization
treatments. Forest floor removal is by raking or prescribed burning every
three years, with and without application of nitrogen fertilizer. Measurements
of pine height and diameter, as well as soil, forest floor and pine foliage
nutrient status have been collected every three years for 4 treatment
cycles. This study is receiving the 5th and last treatment application
in early 2002.
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