Alterations of the nitrogen mineralization rates in soils of forest community depending on the ski run construction (Mount Uludaǧ, Bursa, Turkey)

Abstract

Since 1940s, Mount Uludag (Bithynian Olympus) has been considered famous with winter sports center in Turkey. In addition, it is one of the rare places because of its plant diversity and is also one of the important plant areas of Turkey. The ski run constructions are rapidly increased in the past decades in the alpine and subalpine belts of the mountain. Rate of nitrogen mineralization and some properties of soil were investigated in the soils of the three ski runs and undisturbed neighborhood forest sites. These ski runs are at the upper part of the forest belt in the mountain. Abies bornmuelleriana forest community is the postclimax and very sensitive to destruction. The rates of the nitrogen mineralization in the soils were determined in controlled conditions (60% water-holding capacity, 20 degrees C). Nitrification and nitrogen mineralization were in the ski run inside where the natural recovery started, increased compared with the outside of the ski runs. Waterholding capacity, organic carbon, and total nitrogen were decreased in the massive damaged ski run, and due to these changes, the rates of mineralization and nitrification were also decreased.