Response to fertilization is a function of the degree to which nutrients are limiting growth, the capacity of individual trees to respond to nutrient inputs, the degree to which other factors limit growth, and the possible extrinsic effects of treatment (e.g., root mortality due to fertilizer-induced soil pH effects). Recognition and examination of these factors is essential if response to fertilization is to be predictable. Over the past 25 years numerous western hemlock fertilizer trials have shown responses ranging from negative to positive with no clear trends. Theories for this erratic response include: (a) different nutritional requirements during different stages of stand development; (b) high native N availability or low supplies of other nutrients (P and S, in particular); (c) differential adverse effects of N fertilizers on surface roots, mycorrhizal populations and P nutrition; (d) a requirement for slow release N; and (e) induced water stress. The objective of this study was to develop site-specific guidelines for western hemlock fertilization decision-making for industrial use. This study reports on the first and third growing-season response to two different fertilizer treatments, and identification of possible relationships between fertilizer response and site and stand conditions.

The influence of salal on tree growth has attained considerable attention in coastal British Columbia. Field observations, surveys, and studies in the CWH zone have indicated poor growth performance of crop tree species in salal-dominated plantations and natural immature and old-growth stands. Where sites have been burned and planted, tree growth has improved; similar effects have been observed for naturally regenerated stands. Immature stands that developed after wind disturbance or harvesting feature rapid growth and nearly complete absence of salal. As studies have shown that ericaceous plants negatively impact tree growth, the salal on potential harvest sites has been considered undesirable. This study examined (1) the possible influence of salal on the stand, soil nutrient status and site index, and (2) the relations between site index, salal, plant communities, and site in disturbed, immature, coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems. We compared vegetation and environmental characteristics of 101 ecosystems, and examined differences in foliar and soil nutrient characteristics and site index between stands with high and low salal cover through analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis.

One of the key factors in the site classification of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification is soil nutrient regime. Soil nutrient regime (SNR) represents the amount of essential soil nutrients available to plants over a period of several years. SNRs classes are assessed based on field identifiable (qualitative) criteria, not using quantitative measures. There have been several studies that attempted to quantitatively characterize regional soil nutrient gradients in the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) zone. In the study summarized here, the soils are influenced by a perhumid cool mesothermal climate. The objective of the study was to examine relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs.

Site classification of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system is based on climatic regime (expressed by biogeoclimatic subzone), soil moisture regime (SMR), and soil nutrient regime (SNR). A SNR represents a segment of a regional soil nutrient gradient, i.e., a population of soils which provide similar levels of plant-available nutrients over a long period. SNR is identified in the field using a number of easily observable soil morphological properties and indicator plant species. However, we do not know the extent to which soil nutrient properties are supported by these indirect field-estimates. There have been several studies that quantitatively characterized regional soil nutrient gradients in different climatic regions (see Sciencia Silvica Number 21 for subalpine coastal forests), but this has not been done in the subalpine interior forest (Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone) where soils are influenced by a continental subalpine boreal climate. In the study summarized here, relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs are examined and soil chemical properties and field-identified SNRs are related to the site index of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelmann) - two major timber crop species in the ESSF zone.

Changes in forest ecosystem vegetation also bring about changes to the associated soil. In order to maintain forest productivity, it is important to know the effects of tree species upon the soil, especially the influence of deciduous versus coniferous tree species. Many deciduous species increase pH, nitrogen, base saturation and/or accumulation of organic matter in the forest floor. The chemical properties of the forest floor may, in turn, influence the chemical properties of the underlying mineral soil. If a tree species significantly alters the soil, then silviculturists may consider crop rotation between deciduous and coniferous trees or growing mixed-species stands to maintain greater nutrient availability and maintain site productivity. Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and black spruce (Picea mariana) may occupy similar sites in the North American boreal forest. Shade-intolerant aspen is generally a seral species while shade-tolerant black spruce can be a seral species but also forms a major component in late successional stages. This study investigated differences in nitrogen-related soil properties between trembling aspen and black spruce stands on upland sites in the BWBS zone of northeastern BC. We asked two questions: (1) are the differences in soil nutrient properties manifested in both forest floor and mineral soil? (2) To what extent are these differences reflected in the floristic composition of understory vegetation?

Site classification in the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system is based on three differentiating properties: climatic regimes (expressed by biogeoclimatic subzones or variants), soil moisture regimes (SMRs), and soil nutrient regimes (SNRs). A SNR represents a segment of a regional soil nutrient gradient, i.e., soils which provide similar levels of plant-available nutrients over a long period. SNRs are identified in the field using a number of easily observable soil morphological properties and indicator plant species. However, we need to know to what extent soil nutrient properties support these indirect field-estimates. There have been several studies that quantitatively characterize regional soil nutrient gradients in different climatic regions, but no study has yet been done in the subalpine coastal forest (Mountain Hemlock zone). Influenced by a maritime subalpine boreal climate, high-elevation coastal soils differ from low-elevation soils by having a thicker forest floor and a higher organic matter content. In the study summarized here, relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs are examined and soil chemical properties and field-identified SNRs are related to the site index of Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) - one of the major timber crop species in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock zones.

Forest managers concerned with maintaining soil productivity must consider the impacts of forestry practices upon the features of a site. One critical feature is the amount and type of organic matter on a site, which may affect soil development. This study addresses the question of whether CWD accumulations increase the intensity of podzolization, thus reducing the long-term productivity of a site.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

No description available.

Submitted by Edineia Teixeira (edineia.teixeira@unioeste.br) on 2017-09-01T19:28:20Z No. of bitstreams: 2 NATHALIE_KESSLER2017.pdf: 1449397 bytes, checksum: c331e85586f45bd807a7022916c9e272 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-01T19:28:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 NATHALIE_KESSLER2017.pdf: 1449397 bytes, checksum: c331e85586f45bd807a7022916c9e272 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Antibiotics are added to animals’ diet to increase zootechnical development rates in livestock production. Thus, tetracycline class drugs are the most frequently used ones, mainly in swine breeding. It is known that these compounds are not completely digested by the animals’ metabolism, consequently, they take part of wastewater, and eventually, they can reach the soil and change all the dynamics of microorganisms. Thus, this trial aimed at evaluating the effect of tetracycline associated with swine wastewater on enzymatic activity of soil regarding biogeochemical cycle of nutrients under two applications, in different seasons. The experiment was carried out in soil-containing pots, which received, once in summertime, and again in the autumn, doses of swine wastewater (0.2 and 0.3 L) with or without tetracycline doses (35 μg L-1), chlortetracycline (40.9 μg L-1) and doxycycline (14.9 μg L-1). Soil samples were collected at 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 45 and 75 days after each application of the treatments in order to determine dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and urease enzymes activity. It was observed an increase in the activity of all the studied enzymes when submitted to swine wastewater. And, a decrease of their activity when in antibiotics presence, applied in both experimental periods. There was also a decrease in nutrients bioavailability in soil, which reduces soil quality and fertility / Antibióticos são adicionados à dieta dos animais com objetivo de aumentar os índices de desenvolvimento zootécnico na produção pecuária. Desses, os medicamentos da classe das tetraciclinas são os mais frequentemente utilizados, principalmente na suinocultura. Sabe-se que estes compostos não são completamente digeridos pelo metabolismo dos animais, vindo a compor as águas residuárias e, eventualmente, chegam aos solos e alteram toda dinâmica dos microrganismos. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito das tetraciclinas associadas à agua residuária de suinocultura sobre a atividade enzimática do solo, relacionada ao ciclo biogeoquímico dos nutrientes sob duas aplicações, em diferentes estações do ano. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos contendo solo, os quais receberam, uma vez no verão e novamente no outono, doses de água residuária da suinocultura (0,2 e 0,3 L), combinadas ou não, com doses de tetraciclina (35 μg L-1), clortetraciclina (40,9 μg L-1) e doxiciclina (14,9 μg L-1). Amostras de solo foram coletadas aos 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 45 e 75 dias, após cada aplicação dos tratamentos, para determinação da atividade das enzimas desidrogenase, β-glicosidase, fosfatase ácida e urease. Foi verificado aumento da atividade de todas as enzimas na presença de água residuária da suinocultura, e redução da atividade na presença dos antibióticos aplicados em ambos os períodos experimentais. Também foi observada redução na biodisponibilidade de nutrientes no solo, o que reduz a qualidade e fertilidade do solo.