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Nitrogen mineralization after clearcutting and residue management in a second rotation Eucalyptus globulus Labill. stand in Galicia (NW Spain)

Minéralisation de l’azote après coupe à blanc et gestion des résidus dans la deuxième révolution d’un peuplement d’Eucalyptus globulus Labill. en Galice (nordouest de l’Espagne)

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Abstract

  • • The effects of clearcutting and of different slash management procedures on N mineralization were assessed in a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. stand in Galicia (N W Spain). Treatments were no clearcutting (control), clearcutting combined with scattering, scattering + fertilization, windrowing, and two types of slash burning with two levels of severity: broadcast burning and windrow burning. Changes in mineral N were monitored in the soil during the 18 months following the treatments. Eleven years later, the treatment effects were again evaluated during a twelve month period to assess long-term effects.

  • • During the first study period, slash burning led to a marked increase in the contents of N-NH +4 , N-NO −3 and N-mineralization in topsoil layers (0–10 cm). In contrast, clearcutting followed by either scattering or windrowing of residues had no effect on mineral N in the top soil or in situ mineralization, relative to the control. Ammonium was the predominant form of mineral N. No residual effects of the treatments were detected eleven years later.

  • • Fire severity, in relation to slash burn type, had significant negative effects on post-burn N mineralization and nitrification in the first period studied, but no long-term residual effects were observed. Some practical consequences for sustainable management of such stands are suggested.

Résumé

  • • Les effets de la coupe à blanc et des différentes procédures de gestion des résidus d’exploitation sur la minéralisation de l’azote ont été évalués dans un peuplement d’Eucalyptus globulus Labill. en Galice (nord-ouest Espagne). Les traitements ont été : pas de coupe à blanc (témoin), coupe à blanc combinée avec dispersion, dispersion + fertilisation, andainage, et deux types d’écobuage à deux niveaux de gravité : incinération par surface et incinération des andains. Les changements en azote minéral ont été suivis dans le sol pendant les 18 mois suivant les traitements. Onze ans plus tard, les effets des traitements ont été de nouveau évalués au cours d’une période de douze mois pour déterminer les effets à long terme.

  • • Au cours de la première période d’études, l’écobuage a conduit à une nette augmentation de la teneur de N-NH +4 , N-NO −3 , et à la minéralisation de l’azote dans la couche supérieure du sol (0–10 cm). En revanche, la coupe à blanc suivie d’une dispersion ou d’andainage de résidus n’a eu aucun effet sur l’azote minéral dans la partie supérieure du sol ou sur la minéralisation in situ, par rapport au témoin. L’ammonium a été la forme prédominante de l’azote minéral. Onze ans plus tard, il n’a pas été détecté d’effets résiduels des traitements.

  • • La gravité des incendies, en relation avec le type d’écobuage, a eu des effets négatifs importants sur la minéralisation de l’azote et la nitrification après le feu dans la première période étudiée, mais des effets résiduels à long terme n’ont pas été observés. Certaines des conséquences pratiques pour la gestion durable de ces peuplements sont proposées.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación Forestal-Lourizán, Consellería do Medio rural, Xunta de Galicia, P.O. Box. 127, 36080, Pontevedra, Spain

    Cristina Fernández, José A. Vega, Salvador Bará, Carmen Beloso, Margarita Alonso & Teresa Fonturbel

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  1. Cristina Fernández
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  2. José A. Vega
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  3. Salvador Bará
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  4. Carmen Beloso
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  5. Margarita Alonso
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  6. Teresa Fonturbel
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Correspondence to José A. Vega.

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Fernández, C., Vega, J.A., Bará, S. et al. Nitrogen mineralization after clearcutting and residue management in a second rotation Eucalyptus globulus Labill. stand in Galicia (NW Spain). Ann. For. Sci. 66, 807 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009076

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