Influence of harvest residues and vegetation on microsite soil and air temperatures in a young conifer plantation.

W.D. Devine; C.A. Harrington

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2007.04.009

Influence of harvest residues and vegetation on microsite soil and air temperatures in a young conifer plantation.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

W.D. Devine, C.A. Harrington

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2007.04.009

Source:

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 145: 125-138.

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Abstract

This study examines the effects of bole-only harvesting with and without vegetation control (BO+VC; BO-VC) and total-tree harvesting plus removal of legacy woody debris with vegetation control (TTP+VC) on microsite soil and air temperatures in a young Douglas-fir plantation. Mean soil temperature and the diurnal range in soil temperature during the growing season differed by forest floor microsite in the following sequence: exposed mineral soil > intact forest floor > decaying wood over soil > shade of stumps. Total annual soil degree-day accumulation was 25 to 37 percent greater in the TTP+VC treatment than in the BO+VC treatment; the greatest difference occurred in the year with the warmest springtime air temperature. Vegetation control treatments did not influence soil temperature in the BO harvest treatment. Air temperatures did not differ among microsites.

Keywords

Microclimate, microsite, soil temperature, harvest residue, vegetation

Citation

Devine, W.D.; Harrington, C.A. 2007. Influence of harvest residues and vegetation on microsite soil and air temperatures in a young conifer plantation. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 145: 125-138.