The Effect of Windthrow on

1

• The Effect of Windthrow on
• Soil Pedogenic Characteristics
• Senior Research Project
• Shea Gaydosh
• Thanks to Patrick Drohan

Importance of this study
Field and Lab Methods - Soil colors were
recorded at field moisture using the Munsell
soil color system. - Texture was assessed
via the Hydrometer Method. - Each sample
(originally 10.0 g in mass) was oven dried for
24 hours at 105o C. - The pH of each
sample was determined using a
Fisher Scientific Accumet pH meter.
Windthrow is a natural phenomenon that results in
pit and mound topography. This redeposition
influences soil development and has been shown to
cause soil rejuvination (Beke and McKeague 1983).
In addition, these gaps allow for resources to
reach the forest floor and encourage the
germination of successionary species. Studies
have found that mounds are best suited for fast
growing species that can quickly establish a root
system (Peterson 1991). This process allows for
the recycling of nutrients and is the natural
method by which forest ecosystems deal with
adversity. Objective
Discussion The results of this study show that
there is evidence of disruption in soil profiles
due to windthrow. Those disturbances agree with
the observations of Beke and McKeague (1984) and
Lyford and MacLean (1966) in that soil
horizonation was more strongly developed in the
older site(Table 4), but not in the younger sites
(Tables 1,23). Sites 2 3 showed the most
evidence of windthrow disruption. Horizon AB of
Mound 2 appears to be a buried soil horizon. The
AB soil horizon is of a darker color, more
indicative of a surface horizon. There is an
increase in pH in the AB horizon that follows
this trend, as well as there is a break in the
structure and texture at the B2/AB interface.
These findings suggest that the upper three
horizons were inverted by a windthrow event on
top of the AB abd Bb horizons. Mound 3 varies
similarly in texture and pH. There is a harsh
drop in pH at the B2 horizon and there is a
textural change as well. These disturbances are
likely caused by the windthrow event. These
findings are important to increasing our
knowledge of how forest ecosystems recover after
windthrow events and have implications in land
management, particularly in soil science and
silviculture.
This study was undertaken to investigate the
alterations that take place in a soil profile
after a windthrow event and to look for evidence
of buried horizons. The soil pedogenic
characteristics that were the focus of this study
are soil color, pH, texture and
structure. Methods Study Area The current study
was undertaken at Potts Woods, West Virginia, a
site located in the Ridge and Valley province of
the Great Limestone Valley. Field Sampling
Four mound sites were randomly chosen at obvious
windthrow locations. Each mounds horizons were
delineated and samples of each representative
horizon were collected.
Results