Short-Term Ground Vegetation Responses to Fertilization in Latvian Forests: Effects on Species Richness and Diversity

Environments, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12(2), С. 47 - 47

Опубликована: Фев. 4, 2025

This study investigated the impact of forest fertilization on ground vegetation in deciduous and conifer stands across different site types (forests with drained mineral soils, forests organic dry upland forests), stand age groups (young, middle-aged, pre-mature), fertilizer (ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) wood ash alone, both together). Ground was surveyed one to three years after application, projected cover individual species moss herb layers determined. Thus, results reflect short-term fertilization. Species richness diversity (Shannon index, H′) were compared between fertilized control (unfertilized) plots. The show that layer silver birch significantly affected by fertilization, while influenced interaction type. Differences plots suggest a potentially negative response In contrast, no significant effect observed Norway spruce stands, where type emerged as factors. Scots pine NH4NO3 applied had layer. layer, marginally found for age. alone appeared enhance richness, although its more variable. Our highlights context-dependent nature effects Latvian hemiboreal ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

Fertilizer‐induced soil carbon rapidly disappears after clearcutting in boreal production forests

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 6, 2025

Abstract Forests have a substantial potential to contribute climate change mitigation, depending on how they are managed. Forest fertilization with nitrogen is used increase tree productivity in Fennoscandian forests, but it can also soil carbon stocks. However, such forests often harvested through clearcutting, practice known impact stocks, mineralization and biodiversity. To test whether fertilizer‐induced stocks persistent, we studied post‐clearcut respiration, growth, ground vegetation fungal communities 48 previously fertilized unfertilized production central Sweden. In the first year after clearcuts of stored 7 t (+30%) more 210 kg (+32%) per hectare organic layer than forests. Four 13 years there was no significant difference layer, or CO 2 efflux, between Saprotrophic ascomycetes were abundant independent time since clearcutting. Previous did neither result increased growth regenerating trees nor alter understory vegetation. Synthesis applications. Overall, carry‐over effects biodiversity from forest into stands clearcutting limited. We conclude that stores induced by short‐lived do not persist Consequently, mitigate likely limited increases aboveground biomass products be produced biomass. Our study raises questions about where added ended up—knowledge essential for making well‐informed decisions future strategies.

Язык: Английский