Woody biomass residue retention effects on soil quality indicators in the Lower Coastal Plain of Georgia and North Carolina

Levels of woody biomass retention (no retention guidelines- all operationally accessible residue removal, 15 or 30% retention, or no residue harvest) and the post-harvest redistribution of these materials (distributed or clustered) were evaluated for impacts on soil quality indicators in Georgia and North Carolina. Overall, the treatment effects on soil C and N were minimal. However, soil compaction increased following harvesting and site-preparation. Windrow or pile size after site preparation did not significantly affect the soil organic carbon, soil organic nitrogen or soil extractable macro-nutrients (Ca, Mg, PO4-P, K). In the case of ion-exchange resin recoverable macronutrients, no elements were affected by pile size but K did decrease with distance from windrows. In general, in the first year after harvest, woody residue retention levels had few impacts on measured soil attributes.