Bioenergy from forests: Impact of logging residues on the carbon and nitrogen cycles
Törmänen T. (2022). Bioenergy from forests: Impact of logging residues on the carbon and nitrogen cycles. https://doi.org/10.14214/df.334
Abstract
Sustainable forest management practices are crucial for minimizing environmental impacts, and to keep forests and the underlying soils healthy to maintain productivity, and to improve adaptability to climate change and mitigate it in the long-term. There, carbon and nitrogen cycling play crucial roles in proper functioning of forest ecosystems.
The overall aim of this thesis was to explore the effects of logging residues on the early-stage dynamics of the main nitrogen and carbon cycling processes in upland forest soils after final felling. A specific aim was to compare the effects of logging residue piles consisting of different tree species, i.e., Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). A special attention was given to the response of soil to different amounts of residues.
The effect of logging residues on soil chemical properties and processes was stronger in the organic layer than in the mineral soil layer. Logging residue piles stimulated carbon and nitrogen cycling, especially net nitrification within the first year after the residue treatment. Subsequently, nitrogen was lost via leaching as nitrate and gaseous emission as nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide fluxes were generally low, although higher in the plots containing logging residues. Spruce residues tended to stimulate nitrous oxide emissions for longer than the residues of the other tree species. Depending on the tree species, nitrous oxide production originated from both autotrophic nitrification and denitrification. Nitrogen concentrations in the soil percolate water already accelerated one year after the establishment of the residue piles. Logging residues increased nitrate and ammonium concentrations, which were highest under birch residues. The effect of logging residue piles on soil was stronger when compared to milder tree species effects. Biological nitrogen fixation activity tended to be higher in branches than in needles or leaves, and higher in coniferous residues.
The results of this study raise the importance of more even distribution of logging residues on the forest floor instead of piling them to avoid harmful environmental effects and to maintain soil nutrient balance. The ability of soils to retain nitrogen needs additional attention in forest management practices, especially in boreal areas where nitrogen limits the growth of forests.
Keywords
logging residues;
tree species;
nitrogen cycling;
carbon cycling;
clear cutting
Published 8 December 2022
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Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/df.334 | Download PDF
Original articles
Törmänen T, Kitunen V, Lindroos A-J, Heikkinen J, Smolander A (2018) How do logging residues of different tree species affect soil N cycling after final felling? Forest Ecology and Management 427: 182-189.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.06.005
Törmänen T, Lindroos A-J, Kitunen V, Smolander A (2020) Logging residue piles of Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver birch in a clear-cut: Effects on nitrous oxide emissions and soil percolate water nitrogen. Science of the Total Environment 738, article id 139743.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139743
Smolander A, Törmänen T, Kitunen V, Lindroos A-J (2019) Dynamics of soil nitrogen cycling and losses under Norway spruce logging residues on a clear-cut. Forest Ecology and Management 449, article id 117444.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.06.041
Törmänen T, Smolander A (2022) Biological nitrogen fixation in logging residue piles of different tree species after final felling. Journal of Environmental Management 303, article id 113942.