EFFECTS OF FOREST MANAGEMENT ON SOIL CARBON STORAGE

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.