B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range Forest Science Program
			Abstract of LTSPS Research Note 08

		Establishment of Long-term Soil Productivity Studies on Acidic Soils in the Interior Douglas-fir Zone
		Author or Ministry Contact: Graeme D. Hope
		Source: Southern Interior Forest Region
		Subject: Soils
		Series: LTSPS Research Note
		Other details:  Published 2006.

Abstract

Three LTSP sites were established in the dry Douglas-fir forests on acidic soils near Kamloops, in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. These forests were of particular interest because, compared to other forests in the region, they have more sensitive soils, less organic matter reserves, more partial cutting, and more harvesting when soils are most susceptible to compaction. This note summarizes the establishment of the project in the IDF near Kamloops, and offers short-term information on soil and microclimate changes after treatment, vegetation response, and early seedling survival and growth. Continued monitoring of the study over the long term will allow any changes in these short-term effects to be followed through the length of a rotation.

Soil physical properties were altered by treatments, although it is unclear if the altered properties will be growth limiting. Scalping decreased pinegrass cover; other treatments had insignificant effects on vegetation. Scalping increased soil temperature and soil drying. Compaction and slash retention had no detectable significant effect on microclimate. The growth of 3-year Douglas-fir, but not lodgepole pine, was increased by scalping, and reduced by compaction on scalped plots.

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Updated February 01, 2006

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