Effects of reforestation on near‐surface saturated hydraulic conductivity in a managed forest landscape, southern Ontario, Canada

摘要: Reforestation of previously deforested landscapes often increases soil organic matter content and porosity as the plantation forest ages, leading to increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (KH). However, time required for a reforested soil's KH recover that original differs considerably between locations because variations in forest, climatic properties. We examined chronosequence sites on similar soils managed landscape southern Ontario, Canada, ranging from open fields late 19th century, through red pine (Pinus resinosa) stands varying age, 100+ year-old mixed conifer–hardwoods. Soil texture, content, bulk density, KH, overstory understory characteristics were measured. For with textures, there was general increase following sequence: fields → red plantations → mixed conifer–hardwood stands. There no significant changes near-surface contents or densities neither factor related temporal KH. Temporal trends associated density suggesting driven by root development greater macroporosity. It may take ~25 years before reforestation begins affect infiltration at stand scale least 40 years planting under plantations equal undisturbed This recovery be assisted management activities such thinning stands, which promotes development. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.