Soil organic matter from southern pine biofuel feedstocks under different soil types and management systems
Date
2017
Authors
Mosier, Samantha, author
Paustian, Keith, author
Davies, Christian, author
Cotrufo, M. Francesca, author
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
Using pre-commercial thinnings in pine plantations has the potential to deliver sustainable biofuels. However, the removal of biomass from these plantations could reduce C inputs belowground and overall C storage. This study analyzes soil C and N stocks to estimate stock changes, as a function of soil type and different management systems. Soil cores were taken from 12 different southern pine plantations, representing 4 different soil types. Each site had 2 silvicultural regimes across 3 levels of pre-commercial thinning. Soils were separated into meaningful fractions to understand how much soil organic matter is bioavailable and how much is stabilized.