Short-term effects in canopy gap area on the recovery of compacted soil caused by forest harvesting in old-growth Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) stands

Natural treefall gaps have a substantial role in maintaining soil and plant diversity old-growth forests. However, the amount of information on effects recovery physical chemical properties compacted soils is scarce. We tested hypothesis that natural accelerate restoration by enhancing biological microbial activity topsoil after period five years. Five years ground-based skidding operation Hyrcanian forest, levels were compared among different treatments including canopy with an area 200 m2 (NCG), clear-cuts 1600 (CC), disturbed trails under dense (DDC), undisturbed (UND) as control. The lowest bulk density (1.07 g cm-3), penetration resistance (1.11 MPa), highest macroporosity (36.3%), sand content (14.4%) recorded for NCG followed DDC CC treatments. Significantly lower values pH, electric conductivity organic C, total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg detected treatments, to UND area. earthworm dry mass, respiration found Fine root biomass was significantly higher (92.27 m-2) DDC, can conclude gap size significant terms greater nutrient availability suggesting mimicking more effective than clear-cut (CC) resilience forest stand quality.