EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION, ALTERED DRAINAGE AND VEHICLE TRACKS ON SOIL AERATION IN TUSSOCK TUNDRA

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Authors: STUART, LEE, MILLER, PHILIP C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1982
• Subjects: Soil Science; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss82-054; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss82-054

Concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the soil were measured periodically in disturbed and undisturbed Eriophorum vaginatum tussock tundra from 16 July to 21 Aug. 1979. The disturbed sites were in vehicle tracks, on plots cleared of vegetation, and on plots treated with urea, cornstarch, and artificially altered drainage. Vehicle tracks made in 1979 and the artificial impoundments did not significantly affect soil oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations. The lowest soil oxygen concentration occurred in a 15-yr-old vehicle track and on the cleared plots. Urea and cornstarch temporarily reduced soil oxygen concentration and increased soil carbon dioxide levels. Tussocks were more poorly aerated than intertussock areas except in the old vehicle track. Soil oxygen concentration did not usually vary significantly between 5 and 15 cm, but dropped sharply at 25 cm. Oxygen diffusion coefficients calculated from an earlier study on soil oxygen flux and the current data on oxygen concentrations suggest that despite generally well-aerated conditions, anaerobic zones may occur frequently in tussock tundra soils.