English

Properties of some common Newfoundland forest soils and their relation to forest growth

The morphological, physical, and chemical properties of nine, important, broadly defined Newfoundland forest soil types are described in this paper. The soils of the Avalon Peninsula are generally stonier, more compacted, and richer in silt and clay than those of western Newfoundland. Gleysols and gleyed podzols are the common soils on the Avalon Peninsula whereas orthic and peaty podzols are the common soils in western Newfoundland. In both sample areas the growth of balsam fir and black spruce stands is best on brunisols and poorest on gleysols and deep peats. Only a very small proportion of the total nutrient supply in the various soils is in an available form, but amounts are considered adequate to maintain the nutrient cycle and its associated forest growth at their present levels more or less indefinitely, provided there is no severe disturbance involving the permanent removal of some of the available nutrients. To achieve lasting increases in forest productivity it will be necessary to increase the rate of nutrient cycling by appropriate cultural treatments.

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