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Tree-induced soil compaction in forest ecosystems: myth or reality?

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Abstract

Trees subjected to wind loading are supposed to induce a soil deformation. However, knowledge is lacking about this phenomenon. In the present contribution, we hypothesized that soil compaction is higher in the surroundings of the lateral roots and in particular at their distal part where the amplitude of the root movements is expected to be largest. To test this hypothesis, we focused on a shallowly rooted tree, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), in a large forest situated south of Brussels. Mean soil compaction significantly increased as one moves away from the tree, up to a distance of 5 m. Soil compaction was not evenly distributed around tree trunks, the highest values being in the north direction. Only part of these results supports the hypothesis about soil compaction due to wind-induced movements within near-surface lateral roots in beechwoods on silt loams. The need for additional research is highlighted.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Brussels Institute for Environment Management (BIM-IBGE). We also thank Antonella Tedesco for her contribution to the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management (APNA), Department of Biology, Faculteit Wetenschappen en Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Sandrine Godefroid & Nico Koedam

  2. National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Domein van Bouchout, 1860, Meise, Belgium

    Sandrine Godefroid

  3. Laboratory of Complexity and Dynamics of Tropical Systems, CP 169, Département de Biologie des Organismes, Faculté des Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Sandrine Godefroid

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  1. Sandrine Godefroid
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  2. Nico Koedam
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Correspondence to Sandrine Godefroid.

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Communicated by A. Merino.

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Godefroid, S., Koedam, N. Tree-induced soil compaction in forest ecosystems: myth or reality?. Eur J Forest Res 129, 209–217 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0317-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0317-z

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