Effects of Forest Thinning on Soil Litter Input Nutrients in Relation to Soil CO2, CH4, and N2O Fluxes in Greece

The contribution of litterfall (dead leaves, twigs, etc., fallen to the ground) and forest floor (organic residues such as leaves, twigs, etc., in various stages of decomposition, on the top of the mineral soil) is fundamental in both forest ecosystem sustainability and soil greenhouse gases (GHG) exchange system with the atmosphere. The effect of different thinning treatments (control-no thinning, traditional-low thinning, selective-intense thinning) on litterfall and forest floor nutrients, in relation to soil GHG fluxes, is analyzed. After one year of operations, thinning had a significant seasonal effect on both litterfall and forest floor, and on their nutrient concentrations. The intense (selective) thinning significantly affected the total litterfall production and conifer fractions, reducing them by 46% and 48%, respectively, compared with the control (no thinning) sites. In the forest floor, thinning was able to significantly increase the Fe concentration intraditional thinning by 59%, and Zn concentration in the intense thinning by 55% (compared with control). Overall, litterfall acted as a bio-filter of the gasses emitting from the forest floor, acting as a GHG regulator.

Automated summary

Litterfall and forest floor contribute significantly to the sustainability of forest ecosystems and the exchange of greenhouse gases between soil and the atmosphere. Thinning treatments have a significant impact on litterfall, forest floor nutrients, and soil greenhouse gas fluxes. Selective thinning reduces litterfall production and conifer fractions, while increasing iron and zinc concentrations in the forest floor.