Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Impacts of Disturbance on Forest Soil Erosion and Nutrient Loss in Mountainous Areas

Pavel Samonil^{* *}Correspondence: Pavel Samonil, Department of Forest Ecology, Charles University, Czechia, Czech Republic, Email:

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Description

Deforestation and forest degradation in mountainous areas are major contributors to soil deterioration caused by erosion and nutrient loss. These highland forests are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic and natural disturbances like as forest fires, storms, and earthquakes, as well as catastrophic droughts and other climate change consequences. As a result of a reduction in forest cover, soil erosion and the silt load of streams and rivers rise. During disturbances, effective conservation, forest recovery, and ecological engineering interventions (e.g., restoration, afforestation) are able to help decrease soil and nutrient losses in mountain forest watersheds. Finally, both natural succession and artificial methods can improve soil and vegetation recovery, including root regrowth, reducing soil erosion and nutrient losses.

Understanding the causes, fundamental mechanisms, and impacts of natural succession and anthropogenic interventions are consequently critical for eco-engineering, forest management, soil-water conservation, and risk reduction in mountain forest ecosystems. Soil and nutrient loss at plot and watershed scales, underlying mechanisms, consequences of soil-water conservation methods, and implications for eco-engineering, forest management, risk reduction, policy, and other associated socioecological concerns.

• Extreme disturbances' effects on soil, nitrogen loss, and sediment output in mountain forests.

• Empirical studies and modelling of erosion and nutrient cycling mechanisms in relation to the immediate consequences of disturbance events and future recovery.

• Experimentation or modelling of the efficacy of soil and water conservation techniques.

• Science-based advice for improved forest management and policy in mountain forest habitats to reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Disturbance events, such as wildfires, logging, and windstorms, can have significant impacts on forest soil erosion and nutrient loss. These disturbances can disrupt the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem, altering soil properties and processes that regulate erosion and nutrient cycling.

Applications of forest soil erosion

• Disturbance events often remove or damage the vegetation cover that protects the soil from erosion. This exposes the bare soil surface to the erosive forces of wind and water, leading to increased soil erosion. Without the stabilizing effect of vegetation, rainfall can cause more runoff and lead to higher rates of sediment transport, resulting in the loss of fertile topsoil.

• Disturbance events can cause the combustion of organic matter, such as during wildfires, or removal of organic material through logging activities. Organic matter is a crucial component of forest soils, contributing to soil structure, nutrient holding capacity, and water infiltration. Its loss reduces the soil's ability to retain water and nutrients, making it more susceptible to erosion and nutrient leaching.

• Disturbance events can disrupt nutrient cycling processes in forest ecosystems. Increased soil erosion can transport nutrient-rich sediments away from the site, leading to nutrient loss from the ecosystem. Additionally, intense heat from wildfires can volatilize or convert nutrients into forms that are less available to plants. These factors contribute to a decline in soil fertility and nutrient availability, which can impact the regrowth of vegetation.

• Disturbance events can alter various soil properties, further influencing erosion and nutrient loss. For example, highintensity wildfires can cause soil hydrophobicity, making the soil surface less permeable to water and increasing runoff. This enhances erosion and reduces the infiltration of rainfall, exacerbating the loss of nutrients and organic matter.

• Disturbance events can disrupt soil microbial communities, which play a vital role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Certain disturbances, such as logging, can physically disturb the soil and disrupt the microbial habitats. This disruption can affect the abundance and composition of microbial communities, potentially impacting nutrient availability and organic matter decomposition rates.

• The impacts of disturbance events on soil erosion and nutrient loss can have cascading effects on the broader ecosystem. Increased sediment transport can lead to sedimentation in water bodies, affecting water quality and aquatic habitats. Nutrient loss from the soil can disrupt plant regeneration and growth, impacting forest succession and the composition of plant communities.

It is important to note that the specific impacts of disturbance events on soil erosion and nutrient loss can vary depending on the characteristics of the disturbance, such as severity, duration, and the resilience of the ecosystem. Additionally, the natural resilience and recovery capacity of the forest ecosystem, as well as management practices implemented after the disturbance, can influence the long-term impacts on soil erosion and nutrient loss. To better understand soil erosion and nutrient losses in mountain forests as the result of disturbance events, natural succession, and anthropogenic interventions, and to identify and quantify important drivers of these processes.