The Effect of Forest Management on Soil Net Mineralization Rate in Khalilmahle, Behshahr Forest

The present study aimed to compare the rate of net nitrogen mineralization as one of the most important biological properties of soil in managed and control forests of Khalilmahle series 1, Behshahr. Net N mineralization was measured using the buried bag method. Four points from each forest were selected for sample preparation. At each point, three samples (samples of A, B, C) were taken at 0-10 cm depth. Sample A was placed in a plastic bag and transferred to the laboratory. Samples B and C in plastic bags were buried at the same spot. Sample B and sample C were taken after 30 and 60 days, respectively. Results showed that the net rate of nitrogen mineralization in the managed plot (0.15) was significantly higher than the control plot (0.05) for the entire study period. The net rate of ammonium production was less than zero (-0.03) in control plot while it was greater than zero (0.04) in the managed plot. The net rate of nitrate production in control and managed plots was 0.08 and 0.11, respectively. Knowing the net rate of nitrogen production in addition to studies about nutritional requirements could be an appropriate strategy in optimal management of forests. Our finding suggested that appropriate forest management can result in increasing net N mineralization as one of the important features at site productivity.