Iranian Journal of Forest

Iranian Journal of Forest

Assessing soil physicochemical characteristics of stands affected by declining Iranian oak in Kohgilouye and Boyerahmad forests

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
M Matinizadeh 1
E Nouri 2
T Alizadeh 2
M Pourhashemi 3
F Faraji 4
F Khaksarian 2
1 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.
2 Senior Research Expert, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
3 Prof, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
4 Ph.D. Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
10.22034/ijf.2024.440562.1971
Abstract
Introduction: Oak decline in Zagros has been evaluated from different aspects and this event is the most important challenge for Zagros forest ecosystems in the last decade. Several factors cause decline, among the most important of which we can mention climatic factors and human interventions, which provide the basis for a decline in these trees and lead to changes in soil characteristics which is one of the most important bases of ecosystems. In this study, an attempt was made to set up and implement a standard framework related to this issue in Zagros forests using standard methods in global soil monitoring in arid and semi-arid regions.
Material and Methods: Two sites were determined in the northern slope of Sisakht and Sarab-Taveh in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces. The species of Quercus brantii Lindl., in the affected by decline stand five healthy and five declined trees, and in the control stand five healthy trees were selected. A profile was dug in each sample plot and on the south side and under a canopy of each tree a composite sample was prepared from two soil depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm. The soil samples were then taken to laboratory to measure physical and chemical characteristics. 
Results: The amount of clay particles in the control sample was greater than in the degraded sample (46.68% and 31.46%, respectively), and the soil textures for the control and degraded samples were clay and loam-clay, respectively. According to the results on the north slope in Zagros forest, soil values such as electrical conductivity parameters (0.58 ds/m), available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium (20 and 820 ppm respectively) and Caco3 (37.34%) increased significantly in the affected by decline stand and dissolved calcium and magnesium (16.84 and 23 ppm, respectively) organic carbon and total nitrogen (2.7 and 0.27% respectively) were higher in control stand. Also, in the affected by decline stand, the amount of organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, and total nitrogen in the soil at the depth of 30-60 cm was higher than at the depth of 0-30 cm. But, in the control stand and at a depth of 0-30 cm, it was significantly more than at a depth of 30-60 cm. Finally, based on the standard scoring table by the LADA method, the visual characteristics of the two affected by decline stand and control were in good condition, and according to the laboratory scores, they were in an average condition.
Conclusion: In the control sample, more moisture and nutrients can be retained in the soil with a clay texture. In addition, the input of forest litter into the soil is lower in the degraded plots and, as a result, most of the measured physical and chemical parameters of the soil, especially in the first depth, were lower compared to the healthy stand. In general, in the affected by decline and control stands of Q.brantii in the northern slope of the Zagros forests, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, were in good condition.
 
Keywords
Declined and healthy tree
LADA method
Soil nutrient elements
Soil profile
Zagros

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Forest
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
Summer 2025
Pages 159-172

  • Receive Date 03 February 2024
  • Revise Date 20 February 2024
  • Accept Date 18 April 2024