Author(s):
1. Ömer Kara, Department of Watershed Manegement, Faculty of Forestry, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey
2. Emre Babur, Department of soil and ecology, Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Turkey
3. Yunus Emre Susam, Turkey

Abstract:
Wattle fences are significant measures for slope stabilization and land degradation in the extreme environment. However, their function and effects on soil erosion remain understudied. We investigated the effect of wattle fences application on soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon content in Boyabat of Sinop province. Totally 60 soil samples were taken from topsoil layer in wattle fence application area and non-application area as a control. The wattle fence application significantly and positively effects on soil physicochemical characteristics, microbial biomass carbon, and erodibility indices. Fine particle distribution (silt + clay) and soil organic C (1.52 %) was higher in the wattle fence soils than control area. The mean soil microbial biomass C content of wattle fence area was found significantly higher than control area (315.27 μg g−1 in wattle fence soil; 203.32 μg g−1 in control soil) (P<0.0001). According to erodibility indexes of soils, both areas are still susceptible to erosion because of the erosion control application performed approximately 5 years ago. Our results suggest that wattle fence as a precaution application not only protecting soils against erosion also contributes to better soil properties.

Key words:
Wattle fence, stabilization, microbial biomass carbon, erodibility

Thematic field:
Forest ecology and conservation of natural resources

Date of abstract submission:
28.06.2017.

Conference:
Šumarska nauka u funkciji održivog razvoja šumarstva
25 godina šumarstva Republike Srpske