GGR227H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Carbon Sink, Habitat Destruction, Nitrification
Document Summary
No uptake by living vegetation particularly nitrate (no3 -) which is easily lost from soil because its soluble/easily leached. No evapotranspiration = more water loss through overland and groundwater flow to leach and carry nutrients (and soil!) away. Increased summer soil temperatures = increased microbial decomposition of soil organic matter and release of mineral nutrients, and increased nitrification by soil bacteria (nh4+ no3-) Harvesting method can have significant effect on soil through erosion and terrain instability. Contribute to loss of site fertility; fish habitat destruction; and flooding. Forests a key part of the carbon cycle. Carbon liberated at harvest is either returned to roots (40-60%, returned slowly to soil) or stored" as downstream forest products (paper, lumber, etc. )
