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Effects of Persian turpentine tree litter and slope aspect on soil chemical properties in a Zagros forest, Iran

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Abstract

For analyzing the effects of forest litter and slope aspect on soil properties eight soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–10 cm near (i.e., beneath the crown) and away from (i.e., not influenced by crown) five Persian turpentine trees each on a north and a south slope at the same elevation in a Zagros forest, Iran. The litter beneath tree crowns and slope exposure were found to have significant interactive effects on C, N, P, K, and electrical conductivity of the soils, however, Ca, Mg and the soil pH were not significantly influenced by these factors. The soil beneath the crowns was enriched in cations compared to more distal positions. Generally, Persian turpentine trees have positive impacts on soil properties in the forest. Degrading or killing these trees by sap extraction, extreme grazing, cutting, fire and expansion of agriculture will lead to significant losses in soil fertility and increases in soil erosion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Parasto Rostamizad

  2. Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

    Vahid Hosseini & Kyumars Mohammadi Samani

Authors
  1. Parasto Rostamizad
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  2. Vahid Hosseini
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  3. Kyumars Mohammadi Samani
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Contributions

PR carried out soil sample collection and laboratory analysis and participated in drafting the manuscript. VH (Corresponding Author) designed the study, drafted the manuscript and participated in laboratory and statistical analyses. KMS participated in soil sample collection, performed statistical analysis and was involved in drafting the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Vahid Hosseini.

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Project funding: The paper was supported by research grants of the University of Kurdistan, Iran.

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Corresponding editor: Zhu Hong.

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Rostamizad, P., Hosseini, V. & Mohammadi Samani, K. Effects of Persian turpentine tree litter and slope aspect on soil chemical properties in a Zagros forest, Iran. J. For. Res. 31, 1583–1588 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00950-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00950-9

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