Journal of Forest Science, 2024 (vol. 70), issue 11
Soil temperature dynamics in the forest shelterbelt and in the fieldOriginal Paper
Aneta Kohútová, Jan Štykar
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):545-559 | DOI: 10.17221/52/2024-JFS 
This study compares soil temperature data collected between 2019 and 2022 in Hrušky, South Moravia, Czech Republic. Soil temperature was measured at five depths (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 cm) in the forest shelterbelt (windbreak) and at three distances from it to investigate the impact of the shelterbelt on the climatic conditions of adjacent field plots. In particular, monthly averages, calculated from average daily temperatures, were employed to characterise the temperature course. These are calculated as averages of measured temperatures at 15-minute intervals. Absolute and relative differences and, where appropriate, base indices, were calculated...
Influence of scattered Greek juniper trees on soil properties in semi-arid woodlands in the northwest of IranOriginal Paper
Younes Rostamikia, Mohammad Matinizadeh, Sohrab Mohtaram Anbaran
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):560-573 | DOI: 10.17221/60/2024-JFS
Scattered Greek juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.) trees have ecological values, such as soil protection and soil erosion reduction in the Irano-Turanian region; however, intensive exploitation puts their habitats at risk. Therefore, knowing the soil characteristics of these habitats plays an important role in their management. The aim of this study was to investigate the soil quality of semi-arid woodlands dominated by a pure Juniperus excelsa community. At three sites in the Irano-Turanian region, soil samples were randomly taken from a depth of 0–20 cm in the eastern direction under the crowns of Greek juniper...
Impacts of management and changed hydrology on soil microbial communities in a floodplain forestOriginal Paper
Jiří Volánek, Martin Valtera, Ladislav Holík, Martin Kománek, Hana Burdová, Josef Trögl, Diana Polanská Nebeská, Jitka Novotná, Pavel Samec, David Juřička
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):574-592 | DOI: 10.17221/44/2024-JFS
Long-term human activities substantially altered floodplain regions of temperate Europe. Forest management and extensive changes in hydrology greatly affected natural floodplain soil properties, in which microbes play key roles. This study aims to assess the effects of human activities through a gradient of forest management intensity on soil microbial community (SMC), its biomass, activity, and structure. Soil chemical and physical-chemical properties were used to explain the general associations and within-site variation using principal component analysis (PCA), linear regression (LR) and linear mixed-effect regression (LMER) models. It was found...
The effect of mechanical site preparation on sandy soil properties in Scots pine plantationsOriginal Paper
Ján Židó, Milan Kašiar, Marián Homolák, Erika Gömöryová
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):593-601 | DOI: 10.17221/54/2024-JFS
Sandy soils represent an extreme environment for tree growth. Traditionally, site preparation before planting involves removing logging residues (LRR) and ploughing. An alternative method is incorporating logging residues (LRI) into the topsoil which may enhance tree regeneration and seedling growth. The aim of this study was to assess whether and how different site preparation techniques affect soil physico-chemical and microbial properties over the long term. The study was performed in the Záhorská nížina lowland (Slovakia) in September 2020. Soil samples were taken in two 25-year-old Pinus sylvestris (L.) plantations along five soil profiles...