The organic truth: What 22 years of monitoring reveals about forest soil resiliency on the Kootenai National Forest

Deborah S. Page-Dumroese; John M. Gier

Treesearch

The organic truth: What 22 years of monitoring reveals about forest soil resiliency on the Kootenai National Forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, John M. Gier

Year:

2019

Type:

Science Bulletins and Newsletters

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Science You Can Use (in 5 Minutes), April 2019. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2 p.

Download (PDF 1.14 MB)

Download (PDF 1.14 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/64896.pdf

Abstract

Soil texture and organic matter content greatly influence how soils recover from a disturbance. High organic matter is positively correlated with resilience. Over 80 percent of the harvest units showed soil recovery following a timber harvest years later. Only 9 percent did not recover, while some units had 100 percent recovery. Root growth, freeze-thaw cycles, and soil fauna contribute to soil recovery from compaction. Using harvest equipment and methods that reduces forest floor compaction decreases soil disturbance that affects tree growth.

Keywords

Science You Can Use, SYCU, forest soil, organic matter, soil disturbance

Citation

Page-Dumroese, Deborah S.; Gier, John M. 2019. The organic truth: What 22 years of monitoring reveals about forest soil resiliency on the Kootenai National Forest. Science You Can Use (in 5 Minutes), April 2019. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2 p.