Carbon and nutrients in ground cover and mineral soil layers of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest of different ages following clear-cutting

495–512

e-journal

200212773

Due to its large geographic distribution and economic significance, particularly in the Baltic and Nordic regions, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plays a crucial role in carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. Forest management practices like clear-cutting change ecological processes and C and nutrient storage, particularly in the ground cover, forest floor and mineral topsoil. This study evaluated the aboveground parts of mosses and vascular plants, forest floor, mineral soil layers up to 40 cm deep and deadwood in Scots pine forests. The parameters assessed in ground cover included biomass of dominant ground vegetation species, forest floor and deadwood mass, and stocks of C, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. Representing the Vaccinium-myrtillosum forest site type, the study areas were established at three locations in Lithuania. Each area included clear-cut sites after harvesting mature Scots pine stands and reforested 8–10, 15–20, 30–40, 70–80, and 101–130-year-old Scots pine stands, studied using the chronosequence approach. The findings showed that a significant impact of clear-cutting on the moss and vascular plant cover led to changes in their biomass and associated C and nutrient stocks in dominant ground vegetation species.
Keywords: Clear-cut · Mature stand · Ground vegetation biomass · Forest floor · Deadwood · Chemical properties