Effects of clearcutting and girdling on soil respiration and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Japanese cedar plantation

Impacts of forest management practices on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics remain under debate due to complex interactions between belowground biogeochemical processes. To optimize that minimize C N losses, we investigated the effects fluxes, including leaching dissolved organic (DOC) N, by comparing clearcutting, stem girdling (removal bark phloem tissue), control treatments in a Japanese cedar plantation. Canopy opening clearcutting is hypothesized have greater effect loss nitrate-N relative girdling. Results showed increased heterotrophic respiration (organic matter decomposition) lead (2.9–3.7 Mg ha?1 yr?1). Higher litter inputs from girdled tree dieback caused an increase DOC fluxes horizon, whereas fresh decreased horizon following clearcutting. Clearcutting 3.3–4.8 kg yr?1 plant uptake mineralization matter, but high C/N ratios limited nitrate treatment. Effects could be variable, slash application slow mitigate loss.