Determination of pure scotch pine stands' soil properties in Yalnizcam and Center regions in Ardahan

In this study, we tried to determine some soil properties and belowground rootbiomass of pure scotch pine stands in Yalnizçam and Olçek regions in Ardahan.For this purpose, 6, 5, 5, 12 and 3 trial areas were choosen from I.(0-20 years),II.(20-40 years), III.(40-60 years),IV.(60-80 years), V.(80-100 years), age classesrespectively in borders of Ardahan Chieftaincy of Forest Management( ErzurumRegional Directorate of Forestry, Göle Forestry Management Directorate ). Somestand properties and changes of some soil properties were investigated in these areas.For the aim of determine the properties of soils investigated in study, soil sampleswere taken from 80-100 cm sized soil pits and from four depth levels of pit( 0-20cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm and 60-100 cm ). Soil texture, soil organic matter and soilreaction were analysed on the soil samples. Also belowground root samples weretaken by driving cylinder tube in to soil. For determining the properties of stands,ages of all trees in trial areas were measured and age classes were determined. Alsoelevation, slope, exposure and coordinations were determined for each area.In consequence of analyses when the obtained datas were evaluated, II. age class hadthe greatest sand rate, V. age class had the lowest. Clay rate increased as age classincreased.pH values increased as soil depth increased. The highest pH value wasfound at I. and V. age classes. Organic matter decreased as soil depth increased. Thehighest organic matter in topsoil was found at II. age class. III. and IV. age classeshad the highest root biomass amount.Key Words : Soil Properties, Age Class, Organic Matter, Scotch Pine, Ardahan