Document

Title

Ecosystem restoration treatments affect soil physical and chemical properties in Appalachian mixed oak forests
Document Type: Conference Proceedings
Author(s): Ralph E. J. Boerner; Jennifer A. Brinkman; Daniel A. Yaussy
Publication Year: 2007

Cataloging Information

Keyword(s):
  • FFS - Fire and Fire Surrogate Study
  • fuel reduction treatments
  • oak forests
  • Ohio
  • restoration thinning
  • soil compaction
  • soil pH
  • soil properties
Topic(s):
Region(s):
Partner Site(s):
Record Maintained By:
FRAMES Staff; https://www.frames.gov/contact
Record Last Modified: April 27, 2016
FRAMES Record Number: 6759

Description

This study presents an analysis of the effect of ecosystem restoration treatments on soil properties in the oak forests of southern Ohio. The treatments were (1) prescribed fire, (2) mechanical thinning, (3) fire and thinning, and (4) passive management (control). Fire and thinning resulted in increased mineral soil exposure, with the effect decreasing by the fourth post treatment year. No significant effect on soil compaction was observed. Soil pH increased after fire and thinning+fire, but not thinning alone, and this effect persisted. P availability was lower in burned areas, whereas available Ca, K, and Al were not significantly affected. Ca:Al ratios were higher in burned areas the first year after treatment; this effect was greatly reduced by the fourth post-treatment year. These results suggest that prescribed fire and restoration thinning can be applied to this forest type without significant negative effects on the soil resource.

Online Link(s):
Link to this document (334 KB; full text; pdf)
Citation:
Boerner, Ralph E.J.; Brinkman, Jennifer A.; Yaussy, Daniel A. 2007. Ecosystem restoration treatments affect soil physical and chemical properties in Appalachian mixed-oak forests. Proceedings, 15th Central Hardwood Forest Conference. e-General Technical Report SRS-GTR-101. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. p. 107-115 (CD-ROM).