Carbon and nitrogen dynamics under windrowed residues during the establishment phase of a second-rotation hoop pine plantation in subtropical Australia [An article from: Forest Ecology and Management]

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Description:
The dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), derived from the decomposition of windrowed harvest residues, was examined in the establishment phase of a second rotation (2R) hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) plantation in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Following harvesting and site preparation, when residues were formed into windrows, in situ N mineralisation was measured in positions along the three tree-planting rows formed between the windrows. The position above the windrow had a higher nitrification rate than the other positions, averaging about 18kg Nha^-^1/month compared with 12 and 9KgNha^-^1 for the positions between and below the windrow positions, respectively. This position also had consistently greater soil moisture. Macroplots were formed extending 5m above and 10m below a windrow. Windrowed residues within the macroplots were replaced by ^1^5N-labelled material comprising hoop pine foliage, branch and stem. Hoop pine trees were planted within each macroplot with foliar samples taken at 12 and 24 months. Differences in foliar ^1^5N enrichment between positions within macroplots were