INFLUENCE OF BIGLEAF MAPLE (ACER MACROPHYLLUM PURSH) ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN A CONIFER FOREST OF SOUTHWEST BRITISH COLUMBIA

The overall objective of this research was to detect the influence of bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum Pursh) on soils in a conifer forest of southwest British Columbia. Forest floor properties were measured beneath bigleaf maple along six transects and on two 36 m x 36 m plots. Wavelet analysis, kriging, spatial autocorrelation analysis, local indicators of spatial association, and parametric statistics were used to explore and confirm bigleaf maple patterns of influence on surrounding soils. Results indicated that forest floor in close proximity (approximately 2.5 m) to bigleaf maple stems had increased pH, exchangeable cations, and mineralizable N as compared to soils further away from bigleaf maple stems. A buried bag technique and a bioassay with Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings were used to assess the influence of bigleaf maple on nutrient availability and conifer growth. Bigleaf maple plots had significantly higher net nitrification than Douglas-fir plots.