Pedodiversity in an old-growth northern hardwood forest in the Huron Mountains, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Abstract

We investigated three primary causes of old-growth forest pedodiversity imposed by top-down trophic interactions, including pit and mound topography from past tree fall events, current canopy gaps from tree falls, and the influence of individual tree species on soil properties and processes. In this paper, we discuss the effects of pits, mounds, gaps, and individual tree species on pedodiversity in a single soil map unit in an old-growth northern hardwood forest. Pits and level areas had significantly greater soil organic matter, cation-exchange capacity, and exchangeable K and Ca contents than mounds. Gap subplots had significantly less cation-exchange capacity, K, Mg, and Ca compared with level areas within the contiguous forest. Base cations (K, Mg, and Ca) were significantly greater under sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) compared with eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.). Extractable P was significantly greater under yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) compared with eastern hemlock. We quantified pedodiversity in an old-growth northern hardwood forest stand and single soil map unit using principal components analyses, ArcGIS, and biodiversity indices. Our results suggest that pedodiversity should be considered in soil survey and forest management. © 2007 NRC.