Abstract

GONCALVES, I.; FONSECA, F.  and  FIGUEIREDO, T. de. Temporal Evolution of Carbon Stored in Young Forest Stands: Effects of Site Preparation Intensity. Silva Lus. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.Especial, pp.111-125. ISSN 0870-6352.

The changes that occur at the level of the soil, caused by the techniques of land preparation, which are often of high intensity, may have a major influence on the quality of the soil and its capacity to store carbon. In this context, the present study has as a main goal to evaluate the carbon storage in young forest stands 7 years after their settling (in 2009), using different techniques of land preparation and comparing the results with the ones obtained 2 years after their settling (in 2004), in order to analyse the evolution and recuperation of the system. To evaluate the carbon contained in the system we determined the carbon contained in the biomass of the forest species (Psedotsuga menziesii e Castanea sativa), in the biomass of the herbaceous vegetation and organic horizon and also in the soil samples. The soil samples were collected in the depths of 0-5cm, 5-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-60cm. We proceeded to the collection of the samples of the herbaceous vegetation and of the organic horizon within an area of 0.49m², in the same locations where the collection for the soil samples were made, before the opening of the trenches, in the various treatments. After the analyses of the results we observed that, after 7 years, the amount of carbon stored in the soil is inferior than the one registered in 2004 (2 years after its settling) and as less as the technique for land preparation was intensive. Also the carbon present in the herbaceous vegetation lessened, having an organic horizon formed itself as time went by (which did not exist after the settling of the stand), adding carbon to the system. Regarding the forest species, there was an increase in the carbon storage comparatively to 2004, namely in the PM species. Globally we can observe a reduction in the carbon storage in the system to which the soil compartmentalization has largely contributed demonstrating that, after seven years, it has not yet recuperated from the disturbances caused by the techniques of land preparation, in what concerns carbon storage.

Keywords : Carbon storage; Forest species; Soil.

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