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

Abstract

Differences in soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil acidity, and soil exchangeable nutrients 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 NH 4 -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 NH 4 -N concentration was somewhat lower in the presence of the herb than when it was absent. For the evergreen grass D. flexuosa NH 4 -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.

Greenhouse gas fluxes (CO2, N2O and CH4) from forest soils in the Basque Country: Comparison of different tree species and growth stages

“…Thus, while in the mature beech and Douglas fir stands ground vegetation cover was below 20%, in the mature pine stand the soil was covered by 80-90% with grass and heather. While the ground vegetation could be insignificant regarding forest biomass and production, it is important in the turnover of soil organic matter and nutrients within the main cycle of the ecosystem (Andreasson et al, 2012). In this sense, Janssens et al (2001) observed significant differences at several sites in soil CO 2 emissions among different ground vegetation covers within the same forest.…”