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Abstract

Soil characteristics of the mineral surface soil (0-6 cm) on three small watersheds in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas from which the pine forests have been clearcut, crushed, and burned for site preparation were studied for the first two years following clearcutting and compared to soils from adjacent uncut pine forest watersheds. Following clearcutting and burning, soil pH was generally higher than in uncut forest soils. The greatest pH differences occurred within several months of burning and generally decreased through the end of the second year. Soil organic matter content was lower immediately following clearcutting and burning and increased to levels greater than those of the uncut forest soils. Little or no differences in organic matter content were found by the end of the second year. Available soil P levels were significantly higher soon after clearcutting and burning. Available P levels decreased until there were little or no differences between the clearcut and uncut forest soils by the end of the second year. Soil inorganic nitrogen (NH₄ and NO₃ ) levels were variable but usually were greater on the clearcut sites than on the uncut sites.

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