| Title: | Tree species effects on SOC and soil microbial properties : case study from beech and spruce stands in Bohinj Valley, Slovenia |
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| Authors: | ID Horvat, Peter (Author)
ID Govednik, Anton (Author)
ID Klopčič, Matija (Author)
ID Suhadolc, Marjetka (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ejss.70060
 PDF - Presentation file, download (585,45 KB)
MD5: ED9B662D02CF33E05021BC20B7307910
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  SciVie - Slovenian Forestry Institute
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| Abstract: | Climate change and forest management strategies in Central Europe are driving the decline of spruce in forests, while beech is expected to expand its range. Beech is seen as a key species for converting spruce-dominated forests to mixed forests, aiming to improve forest resilience. The objective of our study was to examine the long-term effects of a spruce stand and a beech stand that transitioned from a conifer-dominated stand on soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass and the abundance of total bacteria, archaea and fungi. In contrast to most other studies, we used a horizon-based soil sampling approach, which provides better insights into how changes in soil chemical properties influence microbial community composition, and consequently, microbial-based processes like C-sequestration. Composite soil samples from two depths, corresponding to the A horizon (approx. 0–10 cm) and the B horizon (approx. 10–20 cm), representing the entire shallow soil profile, were collected from a European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand and a Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stand sharing the same soil group on limestone and dolomite. In the top A horizon, the spruce stand exhibited significantly higher levels of total organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), dissolved organic C and dissolved N compared to the beech stand (11.5% vs. 9.0%; 0.63% vs. 0.52%; 15.3% vs. 9.5 mg C kg−1 dry soil; 2.9 vs. 1.6 mg N kg−1 dry soil; respectively). The beech stand had significantly higher base saturation (84.6%) in the A horizon compared to the spruce stand (43.6%), primarily due to increased levels of exchangeable Ca2+. The soil pH did not show statistically significant differences between the stands, indicating a strong buffering capacity of the soil and its slow response to changes in the composition of tree species in the stand. Microbial biomass C (MBC) in the A horizon was significantly higher in the spruce than in the beech stand (585 vs. 492 mg C kg−1 dry soil, respectively). While the abundance of bacteria and fungi did not differ significantly between the stands, a higher abundance of archaea was observed in the spruce compared to the beech stand. Total SOC stock in the entire soil profile (A and B horizons) was significantly lower in the beech than in the spruce stand (71.20 ± 3.08 t ha−1 and 85.35 ± 2.84 t ha−1, respectively), similar to the total MBC stock (0.42 ± 0.01 t ha−1 and 0.48 ± 0.02 t ha−1, respectively), with no significant differences observed in the B horizon. In conclusion, 20 years after the transition to a beech stand, significant differences in soil properties compared to spruce stand remain limited and confined to the A horizon. This reflects the gradual nature of changes driven by the litter input. The transition from a conifer-dominated to a beech-dominated stand leads to a reduction in SOC stocks. In comparison to beech-dominated stands, mixed forests-including both broadleaf and conifer species-may offer a promising strategy to mitigate SOC loss while enhancing forest resilience to climate change and natural disturbances. |
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| Keywords: | archaea, bacteria, carbon sequestration, fungi, microbial biomass, soil base saturation, SOC stock |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 01.01.2025 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2025 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-13 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 76, iss. 1 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-21511  |
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| UDC: | 630*114 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1365-2389 |
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| DOI: | 10.1111/ejss.70060 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 226459907 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 18. 2. 2025;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 18.02.2025 |
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| Views: | 637 |
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| Downloads: | 373 |
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