Green tree retention as a tool to maintain soil microbial diversity and function after harvest

该项目将调查在采伐地点保留活的“绿树”是否可以最大限度地减少采伐对森林生态系统造成的干扰，并有助于保护土壤的生物多样性和功能。我们将确定对人类利用森林最敏感的土壤生物和过程，以及如何保护它们。土壤生物在养分循环中起着至关重要的作用，因此保持健康、功能良好的土壤生物群落对生态系统的功能至关重要。目前，仅建议保留粗木屑和限制森林地面清除来保护收获后的土壤生物。然而，更合适的管理方法可能是在采伐地点保留绿树保留区，这将为土壤生物提供从其根和凋落物中不断补充能量的生命来源。收获对土壤生物和相关功能的影响是一个关键的知识缺口

This project will investigate whether retention of living 'green-trees' on harvested sites may minimize the effect of disturbance caused by harvesting on forest ecosystems, and help conserve soil biodiversity and functioning. We will identify the soil organisms and processes most sensitive to human utilization of forests, and how these can be preserved. Soil organisms have a vital role in nutrient cycling, so preservation of a healthy, functioning soil biotic community is essential for ecosystem function. Currently, only retention of coarse woody debris and limitation of forest floor removal are recommended to protect soil organisms after harvest. However, a more suitable management treatment may be preservation of green tree retention patches on harvested sites, which would provide soil organisms with a living, continually replenishing source of energy from their roots and litter. The effect of harvesting on soil organisms and associated functions is a critical knowledge gap that