Abstract
This study examined the usefulness of soil organic matter (SOM), total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP) as indicators of resilience in forested wetlands located within southeast Virginia, USA. These data were also examined as standards for reference wetlands before and after timber harvesting and for comparisons of mature and early successional stages. Results indicate that the wetland soils in this study seem to be relatively resilient to perturbation. Soil total phosphorus was significantly greater in the 0- and 0.5-year stages than the 5-, 8-, and 14-year stages (p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in SOM, TOC, and TKN levels before and after timber harvest or between early and mature successional stages, there were consistent trends that may prove beneficial in determining reference standards. A Soil Perturbation Index was developed by combining all four parameters for soils collected in the Chowan River watershed to determine extent of deviation from the biogeochemical reference. Using the model developed in this study, biogeochemical functions decrease after harvesting, with the low point reached at approximately 8 to 9 years after human alteration. This index predicts that it would take 16–17 years for SOM, TOC, TKN, and TP to return to pre-harvest conditions. Perturbation indices could be used for assessment of human impacts, restoration projects, and mitigation of wetlands. We maintain that a Soil Perturbation Index can be one useful component of an index of biotic integrity for wetland ecosystems.
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Maul, R.S., Holland, M.M., Mikell, A.T. et al. Resilience of forested wetlands located in the southeastern United States: Demonstration of a soil perturbation index. Wetlands 19, 288–295 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161759
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161759