Iranian Journal of Forest

Iranian Journal of Forest

The effect of different tree, shrub, and rangeland covers on physical, chemical, and biological soil properties (case study: Monj region -Noshahr)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Y. Kooch 1
M. Asadian 2
K. Haghverdi 3
1 Associate prof., Dept. of Range Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Nour, Iran.
2 Ph.D. of Forest Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Iran.
3 Dept. of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
10.22034/ijf.2025.452635.1983
Abstract
Introduction: The preservation of valuable natural ecosystems requires an understanding of plant communities and the environmental factors affecting them. Soil serves as the foundation for plant growth and development, and in each region, there is a close and reciprocal relationship between soil and vegetation.The different vegetationcovers due to the different quantities and qualities of organic material inputs (plant residues) lead to fundamental changes in  particle density, soil aggregate stability, porosity, microbial biomass and its activity level in the soil and finally nutirnt cycles.The present study was conducted to investigate the  physical, chemical, fauna and flora communities and the soil microbial indicators under different plant covers in the Monj region of Noshahr city.Material and Methods: In this study, forest habitats dominated by Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) K.Koch, mixed Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) K.Koch andUlmus minor Mill (mixed forest), shrub cover dominated by Crataegus monogyna Jacq, shrub cover dominated by Berberis vulgarisL.and rangeland cover dominated by Festuca ovina L (Festuca vegetation) were chosen.It is worth mentioning that these covers have developed over time as a result of natural succession and have been influenced by environmental and site-specific characteristics. In each of these habitats, fifteen soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-10 cm and were transferred to the laboratory for analysis of physical, chemical and biological soil properties.
Results: The results showed that the amount of soil moisture in the mixed forest was 1.7 times higher than that in the Festuca vegetation. The aggregate stability and electrical conductivity in the mixed forest were 1.9 and 1.4 times higher,respectively,than in the Festuca vegetation. In the mixed forest, the amount of organic carbon (1.5 times) and total nitrogen (2.7 times) were higher than in the Festucavegetation. Also, in the Festuca vegetation, the amounts of particulate organic carbon (1.5 times), phosphorus (2.4 times), potassium (2.6 times), calcium (2.3 times), and available magnesium (2.8 times) were lower than in the mixed forest. The amount of fine root biomass in forest covers was more than three times its value in the Festuca vegetation. The density of endogeics, earthworm biomass, nematode density and fungal population in the mixed forest were 6.7, 8.3, 4.5 and 6.5 times higher respectively,than the Festuca vegetation. In the mixed forest, the amount of basal respiration (3.3 times), microbial biomass carbon (5.2 times), urease (2.4 times) and acid phosphatase (1.7 times) were higher than in the Festuca vegetation. In this study, the amount of qCO2 in theFestuca vegetation was 2.9 times higher than in the mixed forest. Also, the principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the mixed forest provides favorable conditions for the activity of various soil organisms, soil fauna and flora.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study showed that many of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil under tree (forest) cover were in  more favorable condition compared to other vegetation covers studied. However, the transition from forest cover to rangeland (due to natural succession and replacement) led to a decline in many of the soil’s physical and chemical properties, resulting in a decrease in soil microbial and biological activities.
 
Keywords
Festuca vegetation
Fauna and flora communities
Mixed Zelkova and Ulmusforest
Soil microbial indicators

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 24 April 2024
  • Revise Date 15 August 2024
  • Accept Date 06 October 2024