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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Dead-wood effects on enchytraeids and nematodes in thinned and unmanaged Norway spruce forests
Jari HaimiMustapha BoucelhamJouni K. Nieminensubject
Forest floorAgronomyThinningSoil organic matterSoil biologyTaigaEnvironmental scienceForestrySoil classificationForestryCoarse woody debrisWater contentdescription
Abstract The effects of dead wood on enchytraeids and nematodes were studied in thinned and uncut Norway spruce forests in two experiments. Fifteen pairs of small spruce logs (one enclosed in polyethylene sheet and another untreated control) were returned to the forest floor in a complete randomized block design after thinning. Soil under the logs and at distances of 0–6 cm and 6–12 cm from each log was sampled after one growing season, and enchytraeids and nematodes were extracted and forest floor properties measured. Log enclosure increased enchytraeid length irrespective of the distance from the log. Soil moisture or pH were not affected by enclosure, but organic matter content was reduced, suggesting that log enclosure indirectly enhanced organic matter decomposition and enchytraeid growth rate. Soil samples were taken beneath fallen large-diameter spruces and at three distances from tree trunks at one thinned and one uncut site. Enchytraeids were significantly smaller beneath the trunks than in the s...
year | journal | country | edition | language |
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2009-08-01 | Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research |