The impact of land conversion from boreal forest to agriculture on soil health indicators

Climate change is creating opportunities for agricultural expansion northward into the boreal forest. Converting forested land to generally results in significant losses of organic matter (OM), which can impact soil health (SH). The objectives this study were assess effects conversion on indicators SH and use Comprehensive Assessment Soil Health (CASH) framework integrate measures these a score evaluate effects. Total carbon nitrogen also measured study. Soils (0–5 5–15 cm) collected from six dairy farms near Thunder Bay, ON, that included mature forest, field converted forest agriculture <10 years ago >50 ago. Land resulted declines permanganate oxidizable carbon, wet aggregate stability, respiration, concentrations OM, autoclave citrate extractable protein, total nitrogen, carbon. Lower CASH scores soils are interpreted represent decline but scores, along with (SOM) concentrations, remain high (CASH = 80; OM 6%). There was no effect time since conversion, suggesting any degradation happens quickly closely tied SOM.