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Objectives
The underlying assumption in the study is that forest management
practices that alter two main factors - soil proposity and site
organic matter - can largely account for changes in site productivity
(biomass production).
- Determine the effects of different levels of organic matter
(above-ground biomass and forest floor) retention and soil compaction
on long-term forest soil productivity on a range of sites and
ecological conditions.
- Study the long-term effects of organic matter removal and
soil compaction on soil nutrient status, soil physical properties,
soil microclimate, soil biological activity, biodiversity of
soil organisms, and nutrient cycling.
- Identify causal relationships between soil properties that
are altered by soil disturbance and long-term forest productivity.
- Investigate the influence of ecosystem unit on the effects
of soil disturbance on long-term soil productivity.
- Provide research sites for detailed studies into forest soils,
nutrient cycling, forest productivity, and reclamation.
- Provide sites that illustrate the effects of soil disturbance
on forest productivity for extension/demonstration purposes.
- Extend the results to operations, resource management, and
policy evolution to demonstrate and ensure sustainable forest
development
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