The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Differences in soil organic matter, extractable nutrients, and acidity in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest soils related to the presence of ground flora

På svenska

Author

  • Frida Andréasson
  • Anna-Maj Balsberg-Påhlsson
  • Bo Bergkvist

Summary, in English

Differences in soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil acidity, and soil exchangeable nutrients (NH4-N, NO3-N, Ca, K, Na, Mg) related to the presence of ground flora were studied. The study was carried out for a growing season in two different Fagus sylvatica L. forests in southern Sweden, and the differences in soil characteristics below naturally occurring patches of Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. or Anemone nemorosa L. were compared with those with no ground flora. Patches of D. flexuosa led to higher soil pH, but lower SOM, water content, base saturation, and NH4-N concentration compared with adjacent zones without D. flexuosa. The lower SOM content suggested an increased rate of decomposition which caused soil pH to increase because of release of basic cations. In the presence of A. nemorosa, pH was higher and the exchangeable acidity lower than for patches without the herb. In early spring, when A. nemorosa emerged and flowered, the NH4-N concentration was somewhat lower in the presence of the herb than when it was absent. For the evergreen grass D. flexuosa NH4-N concentrations were lower in patches with the grass later in the summer season (July). This work indicates the presence of spatial and temporal differences in nutrient circulation and decomposition on the small ground flora scale, which should be considered when studying nutrient and carbon cycles of temperate forests.

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

333-342

Publication/Series

Journal of Forest Research

Volume

17

Issue

4

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Ecology

Keywords

  • Nitrogen
  • Seasonal variation
  • Soil organic matter
  • Understorey

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1341-6979