Abstract

Soil scarification has been used as a silvicultural method to eliminate competition in tree regeneration, but it modifies soil characteristics. In order to evaluate soil changes due to silvicultural management, we characterized a volcanic soil subjected to a mechanized scarification in a Nothofagus spp. forest in the Andean region of southern Chile (39 degrees 54' S, 71 degrees 56' W; 970 m asl). Scarification removed between 20 and 40 cm of topsoil in forest gaps. Two scarified areas were selected in different periods and in an undisturbed forest area. Physical properties (bulk density, penetration resistance, porosity, texture) and chemical (pH, soil organic matter, total-N, P-Olsen, K, Mg and Ca extractable, Al saturation) were analyzed in both the scarified soil and undisturbed forest. The morphology of the soil was a result of the formation of a stratified soil. Bulk density was higher in the superficial layer of the scarified soil (0.9 to 1.2 g cm(-3)) when compared to the undisturbed forest (0.3 g cm(-3)). With regards to the undisturbed forest, soil scarification exposed a superficial soil of coarser texture, lower total porosity (50-60% vs. 80%) and it decreased the soil nutrient supply. There were no large variations in soil properties when comparing the oldest scarified soil with the most recent one. There were important changes in morphology, physical and chemical properties of the scarified soil.