Selected carbon fluxes in Pinus ponderosa-based silvopastoral systems, exotic plantations and natural pastures on volcanic soils in the Chilean Patagonia

This study was undertaken to measure certain carbon (C) fluxes in a Pinus ponderosa-based silvopastoral systems (SPS) in Patagonia, Chile. Results are compared to those from adjacent 18-year-old managed pine plantations (PPP) and natural prairie (PST). Litter decomposition was determined using the litterbag method. Leached soil solution was collected with tension lysimeters at 80 cm depth, and soil respiration evaluated in situ with the soda lime technique. Wind direction influenced the litterfall distribution in SPS, with 94 % falling in the tree strips and within 3 m on the east side. In the first 6 months the initial needle decomposition was low and less than 5 % of the initial mass. The overall soil organic carbon (SOC) and N contents (0-40 cm depth) decreased significantly in the order SPS > PST > PPP, and within SPS were greater in the alleys, starting at 2.5 m from the tree strip, with the highest values always eastward of the strip, suggesting influence by the wind direction. Total soil respiration decreased in the order PST > SPS > PPP and leached C decreased in the order PPP > PST > SPS. In general, the mean annual soil moisture in the pasture alleys of SPS was twice that of PST. The air/soil temperatures decreased significantly in the second year only in PST and at 2 m and beyond from the tree strip in SPS. Soil moisture varied significantly among treatments, but showed the strong influence exerted by trees in the creation of a favorable microclimate within the pasture alleys of SPS.