Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

 

Physical and chemical characteristics of riparian soils two third order streams in the western Cascades of Oregon Public Deposited

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/br86b676t

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  • Study objectives were to survey and compare physical and chemical characteristics of soils within two thirdorder montane riparian ecosystems: a 500-year old Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzlesii) forest at Mack Creek, and a mature red alder (Alnus rubra) forest occupying a 35-year old clearcut at Quartz Creek, both near Blue River, Oregon, USA. Geomorphic surfaces and plant communities were mapped within each area. Principal components analysis and discriminant analysis served to group observations and reveal structure within the data. The first two principal components represented organic content and particle size characteristics at both sites. Discriminant analysis verified that virtually all sampling points were correctly classified. Dominant variables accounting for separation among sampling points were sodium fluoride pH and mineralizable anunonium at 15-30 cm depth at Mack Creek, and geomorphic surface at Quartz Creek. The vigor of the multivariate statistics indicated that plausible soil types were identified in a highly heterogeneous riparian area despite a small sample size. Sampling points plotted on the first two principal components and labeled by geoluorphic surface or plant community were clearly clustered. Higher values of mean total carbon, nitrogen, CEC, and fine-earth content (Mack Creek only) were associated generally with soil types derived from older and/or aggrading geomorphic surfaces. Nitrate levels were higher in the alluvial samples at Quartz Creek than at Mack Creek, as indicated by both KC1-extraction and ion-exchange resin. Stream water nitrate concentrations, however, were 5.7 times greater in Mack Creek than in Quartz Creek. The Quartz Creek alluvial soils may have been influenced strongly by alder-associated nitrogen fixation. The Mack Creek alluvial soils contained more organic matter, perhaps reflecting more time for soil development since disturbance. Site differences may reflect differences in soil development associated with geomorphic surface (and variation in parent material as determined by geomorphic processes), with plant community, and with time since disturbance.
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