The Effect of Soil Properties on the Seedlings of Picea abies (L.) Karst. × P. obovata (Ledeb.) in Reforestation at Clear-Cutting in the Middle Taiga Subzone of the Arkhangelsk Region
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-4-35-49Keywords:
Norway spruce, Picea abies, clear-cutting, podzolic soil, forest soil disturbances, skid trails, water-physical soil properties, agrochemical soil properties, young growth, young growth biometric parameters, soil effect on growth, reforestationAbstract
Soil disturbances caused by harvesting and logging machinery and equipment at cutting areas are one of the negative environmental impacts that affect subsequent natural reforestation. The research aimed at identifying the most important soil factors for Norway spruce recovery in areas disturbed by harvesting and logging. The study was carried out at the 7-year-old clear-cutting area in a blueberry forest in the Vilegodsky Forestry District of the Arkhangelsk Region. Basic biometric parameters were recorded for 40 spruce young trees at the cutting strip; for 20 trees on a skid trail with shallow disturbances (depth less than 15 cm); and for 20 trees on a skid trail with deep disturbances (depth 15–30 cm). Soil samples were collected from the root zone near each plant, and their water-physical and agrophysical properties were tested in the laboratory. Multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. It has been found that the traits most responsive to variations in growing conditions are height, as defined by increment, and the length of lateral roots. The study showed that, in terms of the soil’s water-physical and agrophysical properties, the spruce trees at the cutting strip are more similar to those growing on soil with shallow disturbances. Differences in soil properties between areas with shallow and deep disturbances are related to soil compaction caused by the passage of harvesting and logging machinery and equipment. These conditions led to better growth of young trees at the cutting strip compared to the disturbed areas. High density of the soil solid phase, as well as bulk density, total porosity, and aeration porosity – which are closely related to this parameter – have been found to be key factors in ensuring spruce growth parameters throughout the first few years of life. The depth of disturbance is one of the factors limiting spruce growth in areas where the soil cover has been disturbed. The organic carbon and total nitrogen content are significant parameters of the soil’s agrochemical properties. Thus, excessive rutting degrades soil properties and can hinder successful reforestation. It is necessary to limit the formation of deep ruts during harvesting and logging operations.
Funding: This research was funded by the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 23-76-01014, https://rscf.ru/project/23-76-01014/.
Acknowledgments: The agrochemical soil properties determined at the Certified Testing Laboratory affiliated with the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arkhangelsk Agrochemical Service Station”.
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