Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Changes in soil total C and N contents at three chronosequences after conversion from plantation pine forest to dairy pasture on a New Zealand Pumice soil

G. P. Sparling A C , R. Lewis A , L. A. Schipper A , P. Mudge A B and M. Balks A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

B Current address: Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: sparling@waikato.ac.nz

Soil Research 52(1) 38-45 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13102
Submitted: 28 March 2013  Accepted: 24 September 2013   Published: 5 February 2014

Abstract

The large amounts of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestered as organic matter in soils have implications for global and national C and N balances and greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in soil management can affect the amount of C and N stored in soil. We investigated the change in land use from radiata pine plantation to ryegrass–white clover dairy pasture on the total C and N content of Taupo Pumice Soil. Samples were taken at three study sites (Atiamuri, Tokoroa and Wairakei) in North Island, New Zealand. Soils were cored to 60 cm depth and subsampled by soil horizon, and bulk density cores were taken from soil pits. A chronosequence of sites was obtained after conversion from pines to pasture. Long-term pastures (40–80 years) and mature pine plantations were included for further comparison. Regression analyses were completed after logarithmic transformation of the time data. The data were highly variable, but significant (P < 0.05) increases in total C and N were found at the Atiamuri and Wairakei sites. However, there was no significant change in the total C content of the profile at the Tokoroa site. Increases in total C and N were greatest in the Ap horizon and were most rapid 1–5 years after conversion. Overall rates of increase in the first 10 years after conversion were 0.167 kg C m–2 year–1 for total C and 0.032 kg N m–2 year–1 for total N, dropping to 0.027 kg C and 0.005 kg N m–2 year–1 for the 10–50-year period. The change in land use from plantation forest to dairy pasture has resulted in a moderate increase or no change in soil storage of C. Compared with total C, increases in total N storage were proportionately greater in all three examples of this Taupo Pumice Soil.

Additional keywords: deforestation, land use change, pasture chronosequence, soil carbon, soil N, soil storage.


References

Amundson R (2001) The carbon budget in soils. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 29, 535–562.
The carbon budget in soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslGhtL0%3D&md5=a595e31d35866e9ad66d3608b3e1e913CAS |

Beets PN, Oliver GR, Clinton PW (2002) Soil carbon protection in podocarp/hardwood forest, and effects of conversion to pasture and exotic pine forest. Environmental Pollution 116, S63–S73.
Soil carbon protection in podocarp/hardwood forest, and effects of conversion to pasture and exotic pine forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhsFel&md5=4977568b2ffb083d3dbe72fddba3277eCAS | 11833919PubMed |

Blakemore LC, Searle PL, Daly BK (1987) ‘Methods for chemical analyses of soils.’ (NZ Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Lower Hutt, New Zealand)

Blanco-Canqui H, Lal R (2008) No-tillage and soil profile carbon sequestration: an on-farm assessment. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72, 693–701.
No-tillage and soil profile carbon sequestration: an on-farm assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmtlans7s%3D&md5=61d3e7621cb57cef563c100e6ea1ed2bCAS |

Conant RT, Paustian K, Elliott T (2001) Grassland management and conversion into grassland: effects on soil carbon. Ecological Applications 11, 343–355.
Grassland management and conversion into grassland: effects on soil carbon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Davis MR, Condron LM (2002) Impact of grassland afforestation on soil carbon in New Zealand. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 675–690.
Impact of grassland afforestation on soil carbon in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Forest Owners Association (2013) Pace of forest to dairy conversion gathers. Available at: www.nzfoa.org.nz/forestrynews/1150-150413forestrynews (accessed 11 January 2014)

Franzluebbers AJ (2009) Comments on “No-tillage and soil profile carbon sequestration: an on farm assessment”. Soil Science Society of America Journal 73, 686–687.
Comments on “No-tillage and soil profile carbon sequestration: an on farm assessment”.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXjt12ruro%3D&md5=0761808a01b9e3d09e6867674143b013CAS |

Giddens KM, Parfitt RL, Percival HJ (1997) Comparison of soil properties under Pinus radiata and improved pasture. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 40, 409–416.
Comparison of soil properties under Pinus radiata and improved pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hedley CB, Kusumo BH, Hedley MJ, Tuohy MP, Hawke M (2009) Soil C and N sequestration and fertility development under land recently converted from plantation forest to pastoral farming. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 443–453.
Soil C and N sequestration and fertility development under land recently converted from plantation forest to pastoral farming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hewitt AE (2010) ‘New Zealand Soil Classification.’ Landcare Research Science Series 1, 3rd edn (Manaaki Whenua Press: Lincoln, New Zealand)

Hewitt AE, Forrester G, Hedley C, Lynn I, Payton I (2012) Afforestation effects on soil carbon stocks of low productivity grassland in New Zealand. Soil Use and Management 28, 508–516.
Afforestation effects on soil carbon stocks of low productivity grassland in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hogg A, Lowe DJ, Palmer J, Boswijk G, Ramsey CB (2012) Revised calendar date for the Taupo eruption derived by 14C wiggle-matching using a New Zealand kauri 14C calibration data set. The Holocene 22, 439–449.
Revised calendar date for the Taupo eruption derived by 14C wiggle-matching using a New Zealand kauri 14C calibration data set.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kravchenko AN, Robertson GP (2011) Whole profile soil carbon stocks: the danger of assuming to much from the analyse of too little. Soil Science Society of America Journal 75, 235–240.
Whole profile soil carbon stocks: the danger of assuming to much from the analyse of too little.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXls1Oquw%3D%3D&md5=00861e898fb89d04533968095c9b7088CAS |

Lal R (2001) World cropland soils as a source or sink for atmospheric carbon. Advances in Agronomy 71, 145–191.
World cropland soils as a source or sink for atmospheric carbon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ledgard SF, Sprosen MS, Penno JW, Rajendram GS (2001) Nitrogen fixation by white clover in pastures grazed by dairy cows: Temporal variation and effects of nitrogen fertilization. Plant and Soil 229, 177–187.
Nitrogen fixation by white clover in pastures grazed by dairy cows: Temporal variation and effects of nitrogen fertilization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXit1aqu7o%3D&md5=a2876a012fcc56c66bac29e603eb61bbCAS |

Lewis RW (2011) Changes in carbon and nitrogen stocks following conversion of plantation forest to dairy pasture on pumice soils, in the central north island. MSc Thesis, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

MAF (2011) Forestry and the New Zealand economy. Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. Available at: www.maf.govt.nz/forestry

McLaren RG, Cameron KC (1996) ‘Soil science: Sustainable production and environmental protection.’ (Oxford University Press: Auckland, New Zealand)

Metherell AK (2003) Management effects on soil carbon storage in New Zealand pastures. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grasslands Association 65, 259–264.

Metson AJ, Blakemore LCB, Rhoades DA (1979) Methods for the determination of soil organic carbon: a review and application to New Zealand soils. New Zealand Journal of Science 22, 205–228.

Ministry for the Environment (2009) New Zealand’s Fifth National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Section 5. Projections and the total effect of policies and measures. Ministry for the Environment. Wellington, New Zealand. Available at: www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/nz-fifth-national-communication/page6.html

Murty D, Kirschbaum MUF, McMurtrie RE, McGilvray H (2002) Does conversion of forest to agriculture land change soil carbon and nitrogen? A review of the literature. Global Change Biology 8, 105–123.
Does conversion of forest to agriculture land change soil carbon and nitrogen? A review of the literature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Paustian K, Andren O, Janzen HH, Lal R, Smith P, Tian G, Tiessen H, Van Noordwijk M, Woomer PL (1997) Agricultural soils as a sink to mitigate CO2 emissions. Soil Use and Management 13, 230–244.
Agricultural soils as a sink to mitigate CO2 emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Poeplau C, Don A, Vesterdal L, Leifeld J, van Wesemaels B, Schumacher J, Gensior A (2011) Temporal dynamics of soil organic carbon after land-use change in the temperate zone—carbon response functions as a model approach. Global Change Biology 17, 2415–2427.
Temporal dynamics of soil organic carbon after land-use change in the temperate zone—carbon response functions as a model approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schipper LA, Sparling GP (2011) Accumulation of soil organic C and change in C:N ratio after establishment of pastures on reverted scrubland in New Zealand. Biogeochemistry 104, 49–58.
Accumulation of soil organic C and change in C:N ratio after establishment of pastures on reverted scrubland in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXmslehsro%3D&md5=c71fa3766b1220777a99e24ff1ac9fa4CAS |

Schipper LA, Baisden WT, Parfitt RL, Ross C, Claydon JJ (2007) Large losses of soil C and N from soil profiles under pasture in New Zealand during the past 20 years. Global Change Biology 13, 1138–1144.
Large losses of soil C and N from soil profiles under pasture in New Zealand during the past 20 years.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Soil Survey Staff (2010) ‘Keys to Soil Taxonomy.’ 11th edn (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Washington, DC)

Sparling GP, Schipper LA (2004) Soil quality monitoring in New Zealand: trends and issues arising from a broad-scale survey. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 104, 545–552.
Soil quality monitoring in New Zealand: trends and issues arising from a broad-scale survey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtVakt7rM&md5=ffbd1a4f56906ae9fbf56854ebbc80e4CAS |

StatSoft Inc (2002) ‘STATISTICA V8 for Windows (Computer program manual).’ (StatSoft Inc.: Tulsa, OK)

Tate KR, Giltrap DJ, Claydon JJ, Newsome PF, Atkinson IAE, Taylor MD, Lee R (1997) Organic carbon stocks of New Zealand’s terrestrial ecosystems. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 27, 315–335.
Organic carbon stocks of New Zealand’s terrestrial ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tate KR, Wilde RH, Giltrap DJ, Baisden WT, Saggar S, Trustrum NA, Scott NA, Barton JP (2005) Soil organic stocks and flows in New Zealand: system development, measurement and modelling. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 85, 481–489.
Soil organic stocks and flows in New Zealand: system development, measurement and modelling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xjs1GgsQ%3D%3D&md5=93925b0ff2ecd5c7487473fbbea6e74fCAS |

Walker TW, Thapa BK, Adams AFR (1959) Studies on soil organic matter: 3 Accumulation of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, organic and total phosphorus in improved grassland soils. Soil Science 87, 135–140.
Studies on soil organic matter: 3 Accumulation of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, organic and total phosphorus in improved grassland soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3MXktlGj&md5=a0ed9cd36424fdcb8f7d3130d21e236cCAS |