Effect of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) on soils in forest stands

Adrián Merchán Romero

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The Czech Republic is a country with a great forestry vocation, its climate, topography and culture are perfect for the development of this type of economic activity. In recent years there has been a progressive abandonment of agricultural land, which has allowed an increase in forestry activity. In the past centuries an important need of wood appeared which led to the realization of massive reforestations with the most productive indigenous tree species, Norway spruce. Some of these plantations were not carried out in the most suitable areas and now certain ecological problems are arising. In this work we will assess the possible introduction of new species in areas where Norway spruce is causing problems.The aim of this project is to see the effects of Douglas-fir on the upper soil status in the stands of different species: Norway spruce (Picea abies), Grand fir (Abies grandis) and Oak (Quercus sp.). The accumulation of the surface humus and the soil chemistry in the holorganic horizons as well as in the upper mineral horizons was compared.The study was carried out in two locations: Orlík and Vyžlovka (separate studies were developed in each location). The sampling was realized in monospecific forest stand parts with four replications per species. The samples were examined in the laboratory and the obtained results analysed with the one-way ANOVA statistical test.The conclusions obtained were that Norway spruce acidifies more than the rest of the species and that a possible substitution would be good for enhancement of the volume production of forest stands, the increase of the value production and the reduction of the negative effects on the forest soils comparing to native conifers.

Keywords

Species introduction, Forest soils, Douglas-fir, Humus forms, Soil chemistry

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 7. 2. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Lukáš Bílek, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Master programme / field:
Forestry Engineering / Forestry, Water and Landscape Management