Forest soil respiration and exoenzyme activity in western North America following thinning, residue removal for biofuel production, and compensatory soil amendments

Abstract

Cellulosic biofuel from forest thinning operations is a potential renewable energy source in regions with overstocked forests such as those in western United States. However, it is possible that biomass removal can deplete nutrients from soil, which can alter soil respiration (Rs) and exoenzyme properties, and potentially impact tree growth. This study evaluates the impact of biomass removal on Rs and exoenzyme properties and the capacity of soil amendments to counteract any potential effects. At two study locations, we created four post-thinning biomass retention levels: full biomass removal (0×), full biomass retention (1×), double biomass retention (2×), and a no-thin treatment. Four soil amendment treatments were applied to each biomass retention level: N fertilizer (F), biochar (B), fertilizer plus biochar (FB), and an untreated control (C). We evaluated treatment effects on Rs and activity of four exoenzymes to represent C-cycling, N-release, and P-release processes. Biomass retention levels had no effect on Rs (p =.42) or exoenzyme activities (p >.29). Variation in exoenzyme activity was explained by location, season, soil organic matter, soil moisture content, and temperature. Variation in Rs was explained by the same variables, in addition to C-cycling exoenzyme activity and soil pH. Soil amendments had no effect on exoenzyme activities (p >.49), and no main effect on Rs (p =.48), though amendments influenced Rs differently at each location (p =.02). Short-term findings suggest small-diameter biomass removal for cellulosic biofuel production will not impact Rs and exoenzyme properties, and paired with our tree growth study, provide evidence that biofuel systems are a feasible renewable energy source in the western North America.