Forest residue removal decreases soil quality and affects wood productivity even with high rates of fertilizer application

Author(s)

Tertulino Rocha, Jose Henrique ^{[1, 2]} ; de Moraes Goncalves, Jose Leonardo ^[1] ; Brandani, Carolina Braga ^[3] ; Ferraz, Alexandre de Vicente ^[4] ; Franci, Amanda Fernandes ^[5] ; Girardi Marques, Eduardo Resende ^[6] ; Arthur Junior, Jose Carlos ^[7] ; Hubner, Ayeska ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, Forest Sci Dept, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] FAEF, Agr & Forest Engn Coll, Garca, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Florida, Range Cattle Res & Educ Ctr, Soil & Water Sci Program, Gainesville, FL 32611 - USA

^[4] IPEF, Forestry Sci & Res Inst, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[5] Ramires Reflortec Co, Ribas Do Rio Pardo, MS - Brazil

^[6] Klabin Co, Telemaco Borba, PR - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, RJ - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT; v. 430, p. 188-195, DEC 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Forest residues are frequently used as energy sources by Brazilian forest companies. The removal of such residues is known to reduce wood productivity, especially when fertilizer application rate is low. This study aimed to evaluate after two forest rotations the effects of forest residue management on wood productivity when fertilizer is applied at a high rate; and the effect of timber harvest intensity on soil organic matter and microbial activity. We assessed tree growth, soil microbial biomass and activity, and we fractionated soil organic matter (SOM) via its oxidation resistance. These assessments were performed after conducting a field trial comparing harvest residue management over two successive rotations in the same plots. We found no significant effect of treatments on wood productivity when the residues were removed for the first time; however, wood productivity reduced by 15% during the second rotation with residue removal even with high rates of fertilizer application. Further, 40% reduction in microbial biomass and soil respiration was noted with forest residue removal. At the reestablishment time, the SOM in the top soil (0-0.05 m layer) was 25% lower at the site where the forest residues were removed, and this difference increased to 50% at 300 days after the reestablishment. This reduction was found mainly in the SOM labile fraction. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/15876-1 - Forest residue management and nutritional deficiency in two growth rotation of eucalypt
• Grantee: José Henrique Tertulino Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate