Logging and forest decline effects on the surface humus horizons in the Šumava Mts.

Abstract

Holorganic layers belong among the key ecosystem components of forest soils at higher altitudes. Increased biological activity of the surface humus is very often observed after forest decline and/or forest cut and removal at these sites. The forest removal or tree layer extinction was studied in the flat, water affected terrain: its effects on the soil chemical characteristics and on the soil respiration, ammonification and nitrification activities. The standard methods of analyses were used. The study proved the increased intensity of nitrification and ammonification in stands with decreased ecological as well as environmental function potentials, further decreased concentrations of magnesium. Due to the concentration effects, the concentrations of some macroelements - nitrogen, calcium - increased in these stands (in the humus form layers), as well as the base content and base saturation.