Treesearch
Forest soils
| Authors: | Charles H. (Hobie) Perry, Michael C. Amacher |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Washington Office |
| Source: | In: Smith, W. Brad, tech. coord.; Miles, Patrick D., data coord.; Perry, Charles H., map coord.; Pugh, Scott A., Data CD coord. Forest Resources of the United States, 2007. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-78. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington Office. p. 42-44. |
Download (PDF 436 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/34055.pdf
Abstract
Productive soils are the foundation of sustainable forests throughout the United States. Forest soils are generally subjected to fewer disturbances than agricultural soils, particularly those that are tilled, so forest soils tend to have better preserved A-horizons than agricultural soils. Another major contrast between forest and agricultural soils is the addition of external inputs (e.g., fertilizer, manure, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) to agricultural soils, whereas forest plant communities rely on their inherent soil nutrient cycling to support plant nutritional needs. The forest floor is a unique feature of forest soils.