AFFORESTATION EFFECTS ON SOIL BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

In this study afforestation effects on physical, chemical and biological soil properties were investigated in 10 and 23 years old black pine plantations used as grassland previously versus bear area. The results were also evaluated in terms of different landscape positions and soil depths. Afforestation increased electrical conductivity and soil microbial respiration in 23 year old plantation; and decreased organic matter and β-Glucosidase activity in both of 23 and 10 years old plantations. There was no significant difference in phosphatase activity. Soil pH, total carbonates (CaCO3), organic matter, β-Glucosidase and soil microbial respiration were affected by different landscape positions. It was founded that carbonates, pH, and microbial respiration were higher in the south-facing slopes than those of north-facing slopes; organic matter and β-Glucosidase activity were higher in the north-facing slopes. A decrease in organic matter and an increase in phosphatase activity were determined with soil depth