Soil Chemistry

CBMT Crew

Soil Chemistry

Soil Chemistry

Soil Chemistry

Aspen Stands and Implications of Conifer Removal - Nitrogen

Soil Nitrogen Chem istry in Aspen Stands 2.00 1.80 1.60 1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

1 .49 1 .29

Conifer removed Outside Stand

0.86 0.70 0.55 0.36 0.63 0.1 0 0.1 1

Mixed aspen / conifer

NH4-N

NO3-N

NO2-N

The increase in nitrites is likely due to the conversion of ammonia to nitrites in the process of becoming nitrates. Other differences are statistically insignificant
Based on 16 comparative samples

Aspen Stands and Implications of Conifer Removal Other Soil Chemistry

Soil Chemistry in Aspen Stands
6.00

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.02 0.11 0.04 0.00 PO4 K 2.70 4.70 Conif er removed 3.53 Outside Stand Mixed aspen / conif er

Ammonia appears to increase significantly during first year in aspen stands when conifers are removed Potassium increases are barely significant (a = 0.05) Other differences are statistically insignificant
Based on 16 comparative samples

The Effect of Slashbusting and Subsequent Burning - Nitrogen

Com paris ion of Nitroge n Che m is try in Slas h Bus t Tre atm e nts 3.00

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

2.50 2.00

2.35

Non Slash Bust 1.50 1.11 1.00 0.86 0.50 0.00 NH4-N NO3-N 0.68 0.32 Slash Bust SB Burn

0.53 0.03 0.02 0.00 NO2-N

Burning appears to increase ammonia and nitrate significantly Control and slashbusted sites are not statistically different
Based on 30 comparative samples

The Effect of Slashbusting and Subsequent Burning Other Soil Chemistry

Com paris ion of Soil Che m is try in Slas h Bus t Tre atm e nts 20

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 PO4 K 0.58 1.77 0.75 10.4 7.8 Non Slash Bust Slash Bust SB Burn 14.4

Burning appears to increase ammonia significantly Burning appears to decrease potassium, though it is barely significant (a = 0.043) Control and slashbusted sites are not statistically different
Based on 30 comparative samples

Soil Chemistry following Wildfire and Harvest - Nitrogen

Comparison of Soil Chemistry by Treatment (harvest vs non-harvest) post Toolbox Complex Wildfire
0.6 0.5 0.47 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 NH4-N NO3-N 0.13 0.03 0.06 0.22 0.4 Harvest Non Harvest

Concentration (ppm)

NO2-N

ANOVA tests indicate that there were no statistically significant differences between harvested and non-harvested wildfire sites in the Toolbox Complex. The most significant was nitrate (a = 0.055)
Results based on 27 comparable samples On average 24 trees per acre were harvested

Soil Chemistry following Wildfire and Harvest Other Soil Chemistry

Comparison of Soil Chemistry by Treatment (harvest vs non-harvest) post Toolbox Complex Wildfire
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 PO4 K 5.13 7.17 6.3 7.61 Harvest Non Harvest

ANOVA tests indicate that there were no statistically significant differences between harvested and non-harvested wildfire sites in the Toolbox Complex.
Results based on 27 comparable samples On average 24 trees per acre were harvested

Concentration (ppm)

Comparison of Juniper Treatments on Soil Chemistry - Nitrogen

Comparison of Soil Nitroten Chemistry in Juniper Treatments
Concentration (ppm, mg/L)
2.5 2.0 1.5 1.11 1.0 0.5 0.0 NH4-N NO3-N NO2-N 0.97 0.94 0.82 0.49 0.29 0.34 0.25 0.23 0.29 0.07 1.77 Burn Cut Live Open

Nitrates increase significantly compared to all other treatments when juniper is burned. All other values are statistically insignificant.
Based on 73 comparative samples

Comparison of Juniper Treatments on Soil Chemistry Other Soil Chemistry

Comparison of Soil Chemistry by Juniper Treatment Options
9.0
Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 PO4
1.64 0.60 1.87 1.79

6.99

6.72 6.12

6.23

Burn Cut Live Open

Phosphates decrease significantly when juniper is cut. All other values are statistically insignificant.
Based on 73 comparative samples

Role of Woody Debris - Nitrogen

Com parisons of Nitrogen Concentrations in Dense Forests 1.2

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 NH4-N NO3-N 0.07 0 0.00 0.70 Under Duf f Exposed Under DWD 0.40 0.38 0.42 0.35

0.75

NO2-N

The small number of comparative samples rends all data statistically insignificantly It does appear that there may be a strong correlation between thatched duff / litter and nutrient cycling. It does not appear that downed woody debris plays much of a role until it is in later stages of decomposition.
Results are based on 9 comparative samples

Woody Debris - Other Soil Chemistry

Com paris ons of Nitroge n Conce ntrations in De ns e Fore s ts

3.5

Concentration (ppm, mg/L)

3 2.5 2

2.53 Under Duf f 1.45 Exposed Under DWD 1.15

1.5 1 0.5 0 PO4 0.14 0 0

The small number of comparative samples rends all data statistically insignificantly It does appear that there may be a strong correlation between thatched duff / litter and nutrient cycling. It does not appear that downed woody debris plays much of a role until it is in later stages of decomposition.
Results are based on 9 comparative samples