Chapter 5 Forest Soils

Robert E. Larson, Ph.D.

N.A.U. School of Forestry

 Saying of the Day

 It is remarkable what a
value is still put upon
wood even in this age
and in this new
country- a value more
permanent and
universal than that of
gold.
– Henry David Thoreau
 Introduction

 Trees are dependent on soils for their

growth & survival
 Consists of physical, chemical, and
biological organisms in substrate
 Continually changing with time and climate
 Forest Soils

 What is soil?
 How different is forest soils from other
soils?
 What is the relationship between soils and
rocks?
 What is the relationship between soils and
vegetations?
 Soil is the naturally occurring,
unconsolidated, outer layer of the earth’s
crust. It is composed of both organic and
mineral materials and is capable of
supporting plant growth.
 Forest soils are soils which have
developed under the influence of and are
capable of supporting a forest ecosystem.
 Properties of Forest Soils

 Mechanical support
 Exchange of gases, water, minerals
 Habitat for organisms-microbes to voles
 Soil Morphology

 USCS (Natural Resources Conservation

Service) classification-NRCS
 Soil profile made up of horizons: range
from O, A, B, C (Fig 5.1, 5.2)
– See next slide for example
NRCS Soil profile
 Soil properties

 Soil color: dependent upon mineral content,

organics
 Soil texture: size of particles: sand, silt,
clay (Fig. 5.4)
– loam is best soil for agricultural crops
 Organic Matter

– Improves soil through aeration & porosity

– Nutrient supply for tree and microbes
– Holds and exchanges nutrients
– Litter: organic matter broken down into
elements (hemicellulose, lignin, minerals)
 Breather

 I wasn’t exactly the best student by a long

shot, but I had established a good
relationship with an instructor in my major,
and he recommended me for the internship.
Voila, Six months in the Virgin Islands!
– Senior, Hospitality Management, Michigan
State University
– Been There (Should’ve) Done That.
 Soil Water

 Plays important role in aeration,

temperature, microbial activity, erosion
 Transpiration ratio shows efficiency of
water utilization: #g transpired water to
produce 1 g of dry matter
– TR for trees is usually 150 to 350
– Agricultural plants 400 to 800
– Which of the above is more efficient?
 Soil Organisms

 Decompose soil and provide nutrients

 Improve soil structure & aeration
(earthworms, moles, voles)
 Chemical properties

 Soil reaction: refers to pH: if less than 7.0

the soil is acidic, if over 7.0 soil is alkaline
 Cation exchange capacity: soil has ability
to hold and exchange ions (H, Al3, Ca2)
 Essential soil nutrients: macro and
micronutrients in Table 5.1
Nutrient Distribution and Cycling

 Summary shown in Fig. 5.6 general

diagram to show organic, inorganic,
atmospheric cycles that interact
 Soil Survey and Classification

 Soil survey involves systematic

examination and mapping of forest soils
Soils and Environmental Quality

 Nutrient balance: What chemical changes

are the result of management? (burning)
 Short rotation: Plant fast growing trees and
harvest quickly, usually plantation method.
 Site preparation: clear area…burn,
chemicals, mechanical (plow under)
 Acid rain: forests dying due to industry
pollution
 Timber Harvesting and Long-Term
Productivity for a healthy ecosystem
 Physical environment to support productive
forests
 Resistance to catastrophic change
 Equilibrium between supply and demand of
essential resources
 Diversity of stages and stand structures to provide
for many native species

 Ultimate objective is forest sustainability

 Forester Tools to determine
productivity of stand
– Soil site evaluation, where soil tests done
– Site Index: physical measurements of tree age
and height to evaluate stand of timber
» SI allows foresters to predict future based on past
» SI based on climate, topography, soils, & genetics
– Site characteristics can be modified by
management to improve forest
 Site Index for Pine

http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/starting/starting_soilsandsiteindex.htm
Which has better growth at 50 years, SI of 70
or SI of 110 for eastern white pine?
 Conclusions

 “The life of the people is dependent on the

life of the soil.” Hawaiian proverb

 It took several million years to develop the

soil, the challenge to resource managers is
to manage it wisely…