Nutrient fluxes and soil microbial processes
type: CreativeWork
description: Because of previous intense forest use and over exploitation in the past centuries, the plantation of coniferous stands, especially Norway spruce (Picea abies L. KARST.) with high production potentials has been a common European afforestation strategy. However, the characteristics of Norway spruce such as susceptibility to windfall, forest dieback, drought, as well as soil acidification have caused negative ecological impacts in many sites. Conversion of conifers into deciduous or mixed stands has been suggested by some foresters, in order to improve the stability, ecology and biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Such changes in forest management require specific information on the impact of tree species on nutrient cycling, soil properties and microbial activities. In this study, six broadleaved species were growing at the same site with similar condition in terms of soil type, land use history and climate. Thus, the potential effects on biogeochemical cycling could be attributed to tree species. In this thesis, I focused on the effect of broadleaved species (conversion scenario) contrasting in terms of ecological characteristics (pioneer species versus main forestry species) and physiological characteristics (N2-fixing tree species (alder) versus non N2-fixing species) and Norway spruce (no conversion scenario) on (a) soil chemical properties (b) soil microbial activities and microbial biomass (c) nutrient input fluxes from throughfall and litterfall (d) foliar nutrient status. This investigation was carried out in south-eastern Belgium at a site converted in 1998 to a mixed deciduous stand, after two spruce generations. Plantations of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) GAERTN.), european beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), silver birch (Betula pendula ROTH.), goat willow (Salix caprea L.) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) were located in 4 fenced plots within a 81 ha catchment. Soil chemical properties (soil organic matter, pH, cation exch…
abstract: Because of previous intense forest use and over exploitation in the past centuries, the plantation of coniferous stands, especially Norway spruce (Picea abies L. KARST.) with high production potentials has been a common European afforestation strategy. However, the characteristics of Norway spruce such as susceptibility to windfall, forest dieback, drought, as well as soil acidification have caused negative ecological impacts in many sites. Conversion of conifers into deciduous or mixed stands has been suggested by some foresters, in order to improve the stability, ecology and biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Such changes in forest management require specific information on the impact of tree species on nutrient cycling, soil properties and microbial activities. In this study, six broadleaved species were growing at the same site with similar condition in terms of soil type, land use history and climate. Thus, the potential effects on biogeochemical cycling could be attributed to tree species. In this thesis, I focused on the effect of broadleaved species (conversion scenario) contrasting in terms of ecological characteristics (pioneer species versus main forestry species) and physiological characteristics (N2-fixing tree species (alder) versus non N2-fixing species) and Norway spruce (no conversion scenario) on (a) soil chemical properties (b) soil microbial activities and microbial biomass (c) nutrient input fluxes from throughfall and litterfall (d) foliar nutrient status. This investigation was carried out in south-eastern Belgium at a site converted in 1998 to a mixed deciduous stand, after two spruce generations. Plantations of common alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) GAERTN.), european beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), silver birch (Betula pendula ROTH.), goat willow (Salix caprea L.) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) were located in 4 fenced plots within a 81 ha catchment. Soil chemical properties (soil organic matter, pH, cation exch…
author: Bazgir, Masoud
language: en
keywords: tree species, nutrient fluxes, microbial activities, forest, throughfall, litterfall, conversion, Life sciences, Environmental sciences & ecology, Sciences du vivant, Sciences de l’environnement & écologie
date published: 2011-06
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:49:14Z
provider: Université de Liège
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: ULiège - Université de Liège