Effects of nutrient and organic matter manipulation on carbon pools and fluxes in a young loblolly pine varietal stand on the lower coastal plain of South Carolina

Abstract

Manipulation of site organic matter and nutrients, in addition to planting of superior genotypes will likely influence carbon fluxes from intensively managed forests. The objective of this research is to monitor total soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) efflux (F_S), microbial respiration (R_H), and leaf gas exchange (P_N) in a two-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stand located on the Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina, which has undergone logging residue (LR) and nutrient additions. Short-term results showed a 17 percent decrease in stem volume with the addition of LR, and showed only modest improvement with the addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P). However, fertilizer alone increased stem volume by 40 percent and increased P_N in needles produced in 2006. LR and fertilization had no consistent effect on F_S, but showed a tendency to increase and decrease R_H, respectively. Most notably, varieties showed a significant and sustained difference in F_S, which was partially explained by increased R_H and fine-root length. These early results suggest that clonal varieties respond differently to site manipulations and nutrient additions and some of these measured responses have implications for long-term C storage.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference

Citation

Tyree, Michael; Seiler, John; Maier, Chris. 2010. Effects of nutrient and organic matter manipulation on carbon pools and fluxes in a young loblolly pine varietal stand on the lower coastal plain of South Carolina. In: Stanturf, John A., ed. 2010. Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 27-31.