Deforestation effects on soil physical and chemical properties, Lordegan, Iran

• Published in: Plant and soil 1997-03, Vol.190 (2), p.301-308
• Main Authors: Hajabbasi, M.A. (Isfahan Univ. of Technology (Iran Islamic Republic).), Jalalian, A, Karimzadeh, H.R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agricultural land; Agricultural soils; AGROFORESTERIA; AGROFORESTERIE; AGROFORESTRY; Agrology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Anions; Biological and medical sciences; Cations; Chemical properties; Clear cutting; Clearcutting; DEBOISEMENT; DEFORESTACION; DEFORESTATION; DENSIDAD DEL SUELO; DENSITE DU SOL; DETERIORATION DU SOL; DETERIORO DEL SUELO; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO; FERTILITE DU SOL; Forest soils; Forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; IRAN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC; IRAN REPUBLICA ISLAMICA; IRAN REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE; MATERIA ORGANICA DEL SUELO; MATIERE ORGANIQUE DU SOL; Mountains; Nitrogen; Organic matter; Organic soils; QUERCUS; Soil; Soil conservation; SOIL DENSITY; SOIL DETERIORATION; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; SOIL FERTILITY; Soil management; SOIL ORGANIC MATTER; Soil properties; Soil quality; Soil science; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Sustainability management; Tillage; Tilth; Uniformity coefficient; Water conservation
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004243702208

Quantification of soil quality changes following deforestation by measurable soil attributes is important to sustainable management of soil and water conservation. A study was initiated in 1994 to evaluate the effects of deforestation on physical and chemical properties of soils under oak (Quercus brontii) forests in Lordegan region of central Zagrous mountain, Iran. Nine profiles which were derived from Bakhtiari conglomerate from three sites were selected for this research. These sites were: i) a virgin forest; ii) a completely deforested and currently utilized as crop land; and iii) a forest which has been cultivated for cropping under the trees (a type of agroforestry). Soil (coarse-silty, carbonatic, calcixerollic xerocherpts) characteristics that were analyzed include: bulk density, mean weight diameter, aggregate uniformity coefficient, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, pH, EC, soluble anions and cations, plasticity index, and tilth index. Deforestation and subsequently tillage practices resulted in almost a 20% increase in bulk density, 50% decrease in organic matter and total nitrogen, a 10 to 15% decrease in soluble ions comparing to the undisturbed forest soil. The tilth index coefficient (average of three depths) of the forest site was significantly higher (0.717) than the cultivated forest (0.633) and the deforested (0.573) sites. Deforestation and clear cutting, of the forests in the central Zagrous mountain resulted in a lower soil quality and thus decreasing the productivity of the natural soil.