Effects of forest management intensity o

Plant Soil (2007) 294:291–303
DOI 10.1007/s11104-007-9255-z

O RI G I N A L P A P E R

EVects of forest management intensity on carbon
and nitrogen content in diVerent soil size fractions
of a North Florida Spodosol
D. V. Sarkhot · N. B. Comerford · E. J. Jokela ·
J. B. Reeves III

Received: 19 December 2006 / Accepted: 21 March 2007 / Published online: 5 May 2007
 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2007

Abstract Pine plantations of the southeastern USA
are regional carbon (C) sinks. In spite of large increases
in woody biomass due to advanced growing systems,
studies have shown little or even negative eVects on the
C content of the extremely sandy soils of this region.
Hence, it is important to understand the mechanisms
that determine the impact of intensive forest management on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. This

study was conducted to examine the C proWle in a
4-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation
managed under two levels of management intensity
(chemical understory control and fertilizer inputs). Soil
organic C and nitrogen (N) pools were evaluated using
two size fractionation methods, dry and wet sieving
(2000–250
m, 250–150
m, 150–53
m and