Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions
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Abstract: (14 Views)
Introduction and Objectives: The Zagros ecosystem, as one of the most important forest ecosystems in Iran, plays a fundamental role in maintaining ecological balance, safeguarding water resources, and preventing soil erosion. Native tree species such as Pistacia atlantica and Prunus orientalis, due to their specific biological traits, make substantial contributions to sustaining soil quality. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the canopy cover of these species on selected physicochemical properties and soil nutrient elements beneath the canopy in the Vezg forest area of Yasouj.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a factorial design with three soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm), two tree species (Pistacia atlantica and Prunus orientalis), and two sampling positions relative to the tree trunk (beneath the canopy and outside the canopy). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Soil physicochemical properties and nutrient concentrations were measured using standard analytical procedures.
Results: The results indicated that the canopy cover of Pistacia atlantica and Prunus orientalis in the Vezg forest markedly altered most soil physical, chemical, and nutrient properties. Except for soil texture, all other attributes were significantly influenced by the canopy of both species. Specifically, equivalent calcium carbonate content, soil pH, and copper concentrations decreased, whereas organic carbon, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and manganese increased. Among the nutrients examined, manganese, nitrogen, and zinc exhibited the greatest variations, while phosphorus, copper, and potassium showed the least changes under canopy influence. The effect of Prunus orientalis on enhancing soil nutrient was greater than that of Pistacia atlantica.
Conclusion: Overall, the presence of these species contributes positively to key soil attributes, including organic carbon and nutrient availability. Their decline—particularly under land-use change—may substantially reduce soil quality and heighten the risk of erosion. Furthermore, tree species identity and canopy structure exert distinct and differential influences on specific soil properties.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a factorial design with three soil depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm), two tree species (Pistacia atlantica and Prunus orientalis), and two sampling positions relative to the tree trunk (beneath the canopy and outside the canopy). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Soil physicochemical properties and nutrient concentrations were measured using standard analytical procedures.
Results: The results indicated that the canopy cover of Pistacia atlantica and Prunus orientalis in the Vezg forest markedly altered most soil physical, chemical, and nutrient properties. Except for soil texture, all other attributes were significantly influenced by the canopy of both species. Specifically, equivalent calcium carbonate content, soil pH, and copper concentrations decreased, whereas organic carbon, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and manganese increased. Among the nutrients examined, manganese, nitrogen, and zinc exhibited the greatest variations, while phosphorus, copper, and potassium showed the least changes under canopy influence. The effect of Prunus orientalis on enhancing soil nutrient was greater than that of Pistacia atlantica.
Conclusion: Overall, the presence of these species contributes positively to key soil attributes, including organic carbon and nutrient availability. Their decline—particularly under land-use change—may substantially reduce soil quality and heighten the risk of erosion. Furthermore, tree species identity and canopy structure exert distinct and differential influences on specific soil properties.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Soil health association with soil-plant interactions
Received: 2025/07/15 | Accepted: 2025/09/4
Received: 2025/07/15 | Accepted: 2025/09/4
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Journal of Soil and Plant Interactions by http://jspi.iut.ac.ir is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License which allows users to read, copy, distribute and make derivative works for non-commercial purposes from the material, as long as the author of the original work is cited properly.
