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Effect of selective logging on soil organic carbon dynamics in tropical forests in central and western Africa

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Abstract

Background and aims

Changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) as a consequence of selective logging activities are often neglected in tropical areas, even within activities that aim to promote the permanence of forest C stocks (e.g. REDD+). In this context, we assessed the magnitude of the impact of selective logging on the SOC levels in three chronosequences in Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon.

Methods

In each chronosequence, from unlogged forest to forest that was selectively logged at different times in the past, adjacent plots were investigated by sampling the soil at various depths to 1 m.

Results

Both SOC concentrations and stocks drastically decrease after selective logging in all sites. The 0–5 cm depth represents the layer with the most evident SOC decreases, particularly in the first and second decades after selective logging. The SOC loss is later stabilised, but the C levels remain lower than those of the unlogged forest 45–50 years after selective logging.

Conclusions

In all the investigated chronosequences, the SOC levels are strongly affected by selective logging and the soils continue losing C for many years. In conclusion, SOC measurements should be used to provide precise C emission-removal estimates also for forests managed using sustainable management practices.

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Acknowledgments

This work received the financial contribution of the ERC grant GHG Africa no. 247349. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), the SEFAC Group in Cameroon, and the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) in Gabon for the permission to sample in their areas and for the support provided. A special acknowledgement is for Mensah JJ and Mihindou V for their precious support during the sampling campaign.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, via San C. De Lellis snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    T. Chiti & R. Valentini

  2. Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) - Impacts on Agriculture, Forests, and Ecosystem Services (IAFES), Viale Trieste 127, 01100, Viterbo, Italy

    T. Chiti, L. Perugini, D. Vespertino & R. Valentini

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  1. T. Chiti
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  2. L. Perugini
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Correspondence to T. Chiti.

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Responsible Editor: Kees Jan van Groenigen.

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Chiti, T., Perugini, L., Vespertino, D. et al. Effect of selective logging on soil organic carbon dynamics in tropical forests in central and western Africa. Plant Soil 399, 283–294 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2697-9

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