Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of forest management on soil carbon storage

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The literature on soil C change with forest harvesting, cultivation, site preparation, burning, fertilization, N fixation, and species change is reviewed. No general trend toward lower soil C with forest harvesting was apparent, unless harvesting is followed by intense burning or cultivation. Most studies show no significant change (± 10%) with harvesting only, a few studies show large net losses, and a few studies show a net gain following harvesting. Cultivation, on the other hand, results in a large (up to 50%) loss in soil C in most (but not all) cases. Low-intensity rescribed fire usually results in little change in soil C, but intense presribed fire or wildfire can result in a large loss of soil C. Species change can have either no effect or large effects on soil C, depending primarily upon rooting patterns. Fertilization and (especially) nitrogen fixation cause increases in soil C in the majority of cases, and represent an opportunity for sequestering soil C and causing long-term improvements in site fertility.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ayanaba, A. S.B. Tuckwell, and D.S. Jenkinson. 1976. The effects of clearing and cropping on the organic reserves and biomass of tropical forest soils. Soil Biol. Biochem. 8: 519–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aztet, T., R.F. Powers, D.H. McNabb, M.P. Amaranthus, and E.R. Gross. 1989. Chapter 10. Maintaining long-term forest productivity in southwest Oregon and Northern California, pp. 185–201 IN: D.A. Perry, R. Meurisse, B. Thomas, R. Miller, J. Boyle, J. Means, D.R. Perry, and R.F. Powers (eds.) Maintaining long-term productivity of Pacific Northwest Forest Ecosystems. Timber Press, Inc. Portland, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, T.G., G.R. Oliver, and P.D. Hodgkiss. 1986. Distribution and cycling of nutrients in Pinus radiata as affected by past lupin growth and fertiliser. For. Ecol. Managern. 17:169–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballard, R., and G.M. Will. 1981. Removal of logging waste, thinning debris, and litter from a Pinus radiata pumice soil site. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 11:152–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binkley, D. 1983. Ecosystem production in Douglas-fir plantations: Interactions of red alder and site fertility. For. Ecol. Manage. 5:215–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Binkley, D., and N.L. Christensen. Chapter 8. The effects of canopy fire on nutrient cycles and plant productivity. IN: R. Laven and P. Omi (eds.) Pattern and process in crown fire ecosystems. Princeton University Press (in press).

  • Binkley, D., K. Cromack, and R.L. Fredriksen. 1982. Nitrogen accretion and availability in some snowbrush ecosystems. Forest Sci. 28:720–724.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binkley, D., D. Richter, M.B. David, and B. Caldwell. Soil chemistry in a loblolly/longleaf pine forest with interval burning. Ecol Appl. (in press).

  • Binkley, D, and P. Sollins. 1990. Factors determining differences in soil pH in adjacent conifer and alder-conifer stands. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 54:1427–1433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boone, R.D., P. Sollins, and K. Cromack. 1988. Stand and soil change along a mountain hemlock death and regrowth sequence. Ecology 69:714–722.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle, J.R., J.J. Philiips, and A.R. Ek 1973 “Whole-tree” harvesting: Nutrient budget evaluation J. For. 71:760–762

    Google Scholar 

  • Brozek, S. 1990. Effect of soil changes caused by red alder (Alnus rubra) on biomass and nutrient status of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings. Can. J. For. Res. 20: 1320–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burger, J.A., and W.L., Pritchett. 1984. Effects of clearfelling and site preparation on nitrogen mineralization in a southern pine stand. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 48: 1432–1437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, W. 1963. The effect of clearing on a tropical forest soil. J. Soil Sci. 14: 334–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delcourt, H.R., and W.F. Harris. 1980. Carbon budget of the southeastern U.S. Biota: Analysis of historical change in trend from source to sink. Science 210:321–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Detwiler, R.P. 1986. Land use change and the global carbon cycle: the role of tropical soils. Biogeochemistry 2: 67–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durgin, P.B. 1980. Organic matter content of soil after logging of fir and redwood forests. USDA Forest Service Res. Note PSW-346. pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyck, W.J., P.D. Hodgkiss, G.R. Oliver, and C.A. Mees. 1991. Harvesting impacts on second-rotation productivity on sand dune forests. Rep. No. 2710, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyrness, C.T., K. Van Cleve, and J.D. Levison. 1989. The effect of wildfire on soil chemistry in four forest types in interior Alaska. Can. J. For. Res. 19:1389–1396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eden, M.J., P.A. Furley, D.F. M. McGregor, W. Milliken, and J.A. Ratter. 1991. Effect of forest clearance and burning on soil properties in northern Roraima, Brazil. For. Ecol. Manage. 38: 283–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, R.L., and J. G. McColl. 1983. Forest management effects on soil nitrogen in Eucalyptus pauciflora and Pinus radiata stands in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia, pp. 259–263 IN: R. Ballard and S. P. Gessel (eds.), IUFRO Symposium on Forest Site and Continuous Productivity. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-163, Portland, Oregon.

  • Edmonds, R.L., and J.G. McColl. 1989. Effects of forest management on soil nitrogen in Pinus radiata stands in the Australian Capital Territory. For. Ecol. Manage. 29:199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, R.C., and A.M. Graley. 1983. Gains and losses in soil nutrients associated with harvesting and burning eucalypt rainforest. Plant. Soil. 74:437–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feger, K.H., G. Brahmer, and H.W. Zoettl. 1990. Element budgets of two contrasting catchments the Black Forest (Federal Republic of Germany). J. Hydrol. 116:85–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, I.J., J. Logan, and C.J. Spencer. 1989. The effects of site disturbance on the mobilization and distribution of nutrients and trace metals in forest soils. Environmental Studies Center, University of Maine, Orono, ME

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, N.W., E.G. Beauchamp, and C.T. Corke. 1985. Reactions of 15N-labelled urea with Jack pine forest floor materials. Soil Biol. Biochem. 17:699–703

    Google Scholar 

  • Frazer, D.W., J.G. McColl, and R.F. Powers. 1990. Soil nitrogen mineralization in a clearcutting chronosequence in a northern California conifer forest. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 54:1145–1152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gholz, H.L., and R.F. Fisher. 1982. Organic matter production and distribution in slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations. Ecology 63:1827–1839.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, A.R., and W.R. Boggess. 1963. Effects of past agricultural practices on the survival and growth of planted trees. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 27: 98–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, A.R. 1977. Changes in a reforested soil associated with tree species and time. II. Soil organic content and pH in hardwood plantations. Univ. Illinois Agr. Exp. Sta. For. Res. Rep. No. 77-1.

  • Gilmore, A.R. 1980. Changes in a reforested soil associated withtree species and time. IV. Soil organic content and pH in pine plantations after 24 years. Univ. Illinois Agr. Exp, Sta. For. Res. Rep. No. 80-3.

  • Gilmore, A.R., and G.L, Rolfe. 1980. Variation in soil organic matter in shortleaf pine and loblolly pine plantations at different tree spacings. Univ. Illinois Agr. Exp. Sta. For. Res. Rep. No. 80-2.

  • Goldin, A. and L.M. Lavkulich. 1990. Effects of historical land clearing on organic matter and nitrogen levels in soils of the Fraser lowland of British Columbia. Can S. Soil Sci. 70: 583–592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenland, D.J., and P.H. Nye. 1959. Increases in the carbon and nitrogen contents of tropical soils under natural fallows. J. Soil Sci. 10: 284–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grier, C.L. 1975. Wildfire effects on nutrient distribution and leaching in a coniferous ecosystem. Can. J. For. Res. 5:599–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamburg, S.P. 1984. Effects of forest growth on soil nitrogen and organic matter pools following release from subsistence farming. pp. 145–158 IN E. L. Stone (ed.), Forest Soils and Treatment Impacts, Proceedings of the Sixth North American Forest Soils Conference, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, M.E., W.K. Ferrel, and J.F. Franklin. 1990. Effects on ca@on storage of conversion of old-growth forests to young forests. Science 247:699–702

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrington, J.B. 1987. Climatic change: A review of the causes. Can. J. For. Res. 17: 1313–1339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henricksen, O.Q., L. Chatarpaul, and D. Burgess. 1989. Nutrient cycling following whole-tree and conventional harvest in a northern mixed forest. Can J. For. Res. 19:725–735.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, R.A., J.E. Hobbie, J.M. Melillo, B. Moore, B.J. Peterson, G.R. Shaver, and G.M. Woodwell. 1983. Changes in the carbon content of terrestrial biota and soils between 1860 and 1980: a net release of CO2 to the atmosphere. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 235–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houghton, R.A., D.L. Skole, and D.S. Lefkowitz. 1991. Changes in the landscape of Latin America between 1850 and 1985. II. Net release of CO2 to the atmosphere. For. Ecol. Manage. 38: 173–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huntington, T.G., and D.F. Ryan. 1990. Whole-tree-harvesting effects on soil nitrogen and carbon. For. Ecol. Manage. 31:193–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkinson, D.S. 1970. The accumulation of organic matter in soil left uncultivated. Comm. Bur. Soil. Sci. Rothamstad Exp. Sta. Rep. for 1970.

  • Jenkinson, D.S. 1991. The Rothamsted long-term experiments: Are they still of use? Agron. J. 83: 2–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C.E., A.H. Johnson, T.G. Huntington, and T.G. Siccama. 1991. Whole-tree clear-cutting effects on soil horizons and organic matter pools. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 55:497–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. W., G. S. Henderson, and D. E. Todd. 1988. Changes in nutrient distribution in forests and soils of Walker Branch Watershed, Tennessee, over an eleven-year period. Biogeochemistry 5:275–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. W., D. C. West, D. E. Todd, and L. K. Mann. 1982. Effects of sawlog vs whole-tree harvesting on the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium budgets of an upland mixed oak forest. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 46:1304–1309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jurgensen, M.F., A.E. Harvey, R.T. Graham, M.J. Larson, J.R. Tonn, and D.S. Page-Dumroes. 1989. Soil organic matter, timber harvesting, and forest productivity in the inland Northwest, pp. 392–415 IN: S.P. Gessel, D.S. LcCate, G.F. Weetman, and R.F. Powers eds.). Sustained productivity of forest soils. 7th North American Forest Soils Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinerson, R.S., C.W. Ralston, and C.G. Wells. 1977. Carbon cycling in a loblolly pine plantation. Oecologia 29:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer, J.F., and R.K. Hermann. 1979. Broadcast burning: 25-year effects on forest soils in the western flanks of the Cascade Mountains. For. Sci. 25:427–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laine, J., and H. Vasander. 1991. Effect of forest drainage on the carbon balance of sa sedge fen ecosystem. Proc. Symp. “The changing face of fenlands and implications for their future use. April 9–11, 1991, Cambridge, England.

  • Lane, C.L. 1989. Forest stand conversion from Hardwoods to pine: Twenty-three years later. pp 253–256 IN: S.P. Gessel, D.S. LcCate, G.F. Weetman, and R.F. Powers eds.). Sustained productivity of forest soils. 7th North American Forest Soils Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugo, A.E., A.J. Sanchez, and S. Brown. 1986. Land use and organic carbon content of some subtropical soils. Plant Soil 96:185–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macadam, A.M. 1987. Effects of broadcast slash burning on fuels and soil chemical properties in the Sub-boreal spruce Zone of central British Columbia. Can J. For. Res.17:1577–1584.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, L.K. 1985. A regional comparison of carbon in cultivated and uncultivated alfisols and mollisols in the central United States. Geoderma 36:241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, L.K. 1986. Changes in soil carbon storage after cultivation. Soil Sci. 142:279–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, L. K., D. W. Johnson, D. C. West, D. W. Cole, J. W. Hornbeck, C. W. Martin, H. Riekerk, C. T. Smith, W. T. Swank, L. M. Tritton, and D. H. Van Lear. 1988. Effects of whole-tree and stem-only clearcutting on post harvest hydrologic losses, nutrient capital, and regrowth. Forest Science 42: 412–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marion. G.K. 1979. Biomass and nutrient removal in long-rotation stands pp 98–110 IN:A. L. Leaf (ed.), Impact of Intensive Harvesting on Forest Nutrient Cycling. State University of New York, Syracuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins, P. F. da S., C.C. Cerri, B. Volkoff, F. Andreux, and A. Chauvel. 1991. Consequences of clearing and tillage on the soil of a natural Amazonian ecosystem. For. Ecol. Manage. 38: 273–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattson, K.G., and W.T. Swank. 1989. Soil detrital carbon dynamics following forest cutting in the southern Appalachians. Biol. Fert. Soils. 7:247–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, J.W. 1983. Soil changes resulting from phosphorus fertilization of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engem. var elliottii). Ph.D. thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKee, W.H. 1982. Changes in soil fertility following prescribed burning on coastal plain pine sites. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service Res. Paper SE-234.

  • Miller, J.H., and D.L. Sirois. 1986. Soil disturbance by skyline yarding vs. skidding in a loamy hill forest. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 50:1579–1583.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, L.A., and W.L. Pritchett. 1983. Effects of site preparation on Pinus elliottiiP. palustris flatwoods forest soil properties, pp. 243–251 IN: R. Ballard and S. P. Gessel (eds.), IUFRO Symposium on Forest Site and Continuous Productivity. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-163, Portland, Oregon.

  • Mortland, M.M., and A.R. Wolcott. 1965. Sorption of inorganic nitrogen compounds by soil materials. pp. 150–197 IN: W.V. Bartholomew and F.E. Clark (eds.) Soil Nitrogen. Agronomy 10. Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wisconsin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mroz, G.D., M.F. Jurgensen, and D.J. Frederick. 1985. Soil nutrient changes following whole tree harvesting on three northern hardwood sites. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 49:1552–1557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musselman, R.C., and D.G. Fox. 1991. A review of the role of temperate forests in the global CO2 balance. J. Air Waste Manage. Assoc. 41:798–807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nohrstedt, H,-O., K. Arnebrant, E. Baath, and B. Soderstrom. 1989. Changes in carbon content, respiration rate, ATP content, and microbial biomass in nitrogen-fertilized pine forest soils in Sweden. Can. J. For. Res. 19:323–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye, P.H., and D.J. Greenland. 1964. Changes in the soil after clearing tropical forest. Plant Soil. 21:101–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oades, J.M. 1988. The retention of organic matter in soils. Biogeochemistry 5: 35–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Connell. A.M. 1987. Litter decomposition, soil respiration and soil chemical and biochemical properties at three contrasting sites in kari (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) forests of south-western Australia. Australian J. For. Res. 12:31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paschke, M.W., J.O. Dawson, and M.B. David. 1989. Soil nitrogen mineralization in plantations of Juglans nigra interplanted with actinorhizal Elaegnus umbellata or Alnus glutinosa. Plant Soil 118:33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E.A., and F.E. Clark. 1989. Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, W.M., T-H Peng, W.R. Emmanuel, A.W. King, V.H. Dale, and D. L. DeAngelis. 1990. The global carbon cycle. American Scientist 78:310–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powers, R.S., D.H. Alban, G.A. Ruark, and A.E. Tiarks. 1990. A soils research approach to evaluating management impacts on long-term productivity, pp. 127–145 IN: W.J. Dyck and C.A. Mees (eds.) Impact of intensive harvesting on forest site productivity, proc. IE/BE A3 Workshop, Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, March 1989. IE/BE T6/A6 Rep. No.2, Ministry of Forestry, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raich, J.W. 1983, Effects of forest conversion on the carbon budget of a tropical soil. Biotropica 15:177–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raison, R.J, P.K. Khanna, and P.V. Woods. 1985. Mechanisms of element transfer to the atmosphere during vegetation fires. Can. J. For. Res. 15:132–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richter, D.D., L.I. Barbar, M.A. Huston, and M. Jaeger. 1990. Effects of annual tillage on organic carbon in a fine-textured Udalf: The importance of root dynamics to soil carbon storage. Soil Sci. 149:78–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sands, R. 1983. Physical changes to sandy soils planted to radiata pine. pp. 146–152 IN: R. Ballard and S. P. Gessel (eds.), IUFRO Symposium on Forest Site and Continuous Productivity. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-163, Portland, Oregon.

  • Schiffman, P.M., and W.C. Johnson. 1990. Phytomass and detrital storage during forest regrowth in the southeastern United States Piedmont. Can. J. For. Res. 19: 69–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, W.H. 1986. Changes in soil carbon storage and associated properties with disturbance and recovery, pp. 194–220 IN: J.R. Trabalka and D.E. Reichle (eds.) The Changing Carbon Cycle: A Global Analysis. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, W.H. 1990. Evidence from chronosequence studies for a low carbon-storage potential of soils. Nature 348:232–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims, A. G.R. Oliver, and W.J. Dyck. 1988. Effects of forest management on the long-term productivity of Nelson soils — Estimate of nutrient removal. Proj. Rec. No. 2034, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smethurst, P.J., and E.K.S. Nambiar. 1990a. Distribution of carbon and nutrients and fluxes of mineral nitrogen after clear-felling a Pinus radiata plantation. Can. J. For. Res. 20: 1490–1497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smethurst, P.J., and E.K.S. Nambiar. 1990b. Effects of slash and litter management on fluxes of nitrogen and tree growth in a young Pinus radiata plantation. Can. J. For. Res. 20: 1498–507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smethurst, P.J., and E.K.S, Nambiar. 1990c. Effects of contrasting silvicultural practices on nitrogen supply to young Radiata pine. pp. 85–96 IN: W.J. Dyck and C.A. Mees (eds.) Impact of intensive harvesting on forest site productivity, proc. IEA/BE A3 Workshop, Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, March 1989. IE/BE T6/A6 Rep. No.2, Ministry of Forestry, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tans, P.P., I.Y. Fung, and T. Takahashi. 1990 Observational constraints on the global atmospheric CO2 budget- Science 247:1431–1438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrant, R.F., and R.E. Miller. 1963. Accumulation of organic matter and soil nitrogen beneath a plantation of red alder and Douglas-fir. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 27:231–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiesson, H., and M.C.D. Santos. 1989. Variability of C, N, and P content of tropical and semiarid soil as affected by soil genesis, erosion, and land clearing. Plant Soil 119: 337–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. and J. Kelly. 1985. Effect of radiata pine on soil chemical characteristics. For. Ecol. Manage. 11:257–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. and M.J. Lambert. 1986. Fate of applied nutrients in a longterm superphosphate trial in Pinus radiata. Plant Soil 93: 373–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, J. and M.J. Lambert. 1988. Soil properties as affected by Pinus radiata plantations. New Zealand J. For. Res. 18:77–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Cleve, K. and T.A. Moore. 1978. Cumulative effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer additions on soil respiration, pH, and organic matter content. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 42:121–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek, P.M., K. Van Cleve, N. Balakrishnan, and D. Mueller-Dombois. 1983. Soil development and nitrogen turnover in montane rainforest soils on Hawaii. Biotropica 15:268–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, P.L., R.A. Birdsey, and A.L. Lugo. 1987. Soil organic matter in secondary forests of Puerto Rico. Biotropica 19: 17–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, C.G. 1971. Effects of prescribed burning on soil chemical properties and nutrient availability, pp. 86–99 IN: Prescribed Burning Symposium, Proceedings. USDA Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, N.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, S.A. 1964. Changes in soil productivity induced by pine plantations. Soil Sci. 97:276–278.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Johnson, D.W. Effects of forest management on soil carbon storage. Water Air Soil Pollut 64, 83–120 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477097

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00477097

Keywords

Navigation