Conducted by BIPSU
, Started on 2016 -
Completed on 2017
Completed
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Reforestation has been recognized as one of the strategies in climate change mitigation
not only for its potential for carbon sequestration but also in restoring ecosystem functions
and services. This study aimed to compare the rates of net nitrogen (N) mineralization
and net nitrification in a mixed-species tree plantation and that of a secondary lowland
forest. It also aimed to assess the potential of reforestation using the mixed-species
strategy in restoring a key ecosystem function, particularly soil N cycling. The study was
conducted within the Visayas State University campus in Baybay City, Leyte in two land
uses, a lowland secondary forest and a mixed-species tree plantation established using the
Rainforestation approach. No significant differences were found in extractable mineral N
(NH+
4
and NO−
3
) and net rates of N mineralization and nitrification between the mixed-species
tree plantation and lowland secondary forest implying that N availability is similar for both
the mixed-species tree plantation and the lowland secondary forest. Similar net rates of
N mineralization and net nitrification for both sites suggest that they have the same rate
of converting N to mineralized form which indicates that this mixed-species reforestation
strategy may have potential to restore this ecosystem function, the soil N cycle. Further
investigations are needed to evaluate the effects of species mixture and planting design
on the soil N cycle as well as conducting similar studies on other sites under different conditions.