EDAFOLOGÍA, VOL 14. (1, 2, 3), PP 9-18 2007
EFECTO DEL DECAPADO, EN COMPARACIÓN A LA QUEMA DE RESTOS, SOBRE LAS
CARACTERÍSTICAS DEL SUELO Y EL CRECIMIENTO DE PLÁNTULAS DE PINUS RADIATA
J. R. Olarieta(1), G. Besga(2), R. Rodríguez-ochoa(1), A. Aizpurua(2)
1)Dept. Medi Ambient i Ciències del Sòl. Universitat
de Lleida. Rovira Roure, 177. Lleida 25198. Fax: -973-702613. E-mail:jramon.olarieta@macs.udl.cat
(2)NEIKER. Berreaga, 1. Derio 48160. Bizkaia.
Two site preparation techniques for Pinus radiata plantation, slash burning and scalping, were assessed by comparing the carbon and nutrient pools, soil physical properties, and early growth of seedlings. Pools of all elements were smaller in all the compartments of the scalped plots compared to those in slash burn plots. Total pools of all elements were smaller in the scalped plots by 5-26%. Physical properties of the surface mineral soil in scalped plots reached values (bulk density of 1.5 g.cm-3 and aeration porosity less than 5%) that seriously impair oxygen and water availability for pine roots. Seedling height four years after plantation was 14% lower under scalping, and we hypothesize degradation of soil physical properties as the main reason, together with the accompanying nutrient stress.
Keywords: land degradation; land evaluation; land utilization types; site preparation;
sustainability.