The influence of elevation on soil properties and forest litter in the Siliceous Moncayo Massif, SW Europe

Badía, David; Ruiz, Alberto; Girona, Antonio; Martí, Clara; Casanova, José; Ibarra, Paloma; Zufiaurre, Raquel

doi:10.1007/s11629-015-3773-6

Cited by 50 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similarly to the results of this study, other studies from mountain areas have shown an increasing C/N ratio of the topsoil with elevation depending on the kind of litter [66][67][68]. Moreover, Cools et al [20] found a distinct relationship between the topsoil C/N ratio and the humus form.…”

Section: Upscaling Of Microbiological Parameterssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Egli et al [87] investigated mountain soils also within the area of this study and found a higher percentage of weakly degraded organic matter as well as higher soil organic carbon concentrations at northern slope exposure as compared to southern slope exposure. Other studies described patterns similar to this study regarding humus forms, pH values and soil C/N ratio along an elevation gradient (e.g., [66,88]). …”

Section: Soil Ecological Implicationssupporting

confidence: 87%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Humus forms are the morphological results of organic matter decay and distribution in the topsoil, and thus important indicators for decomposer activities in forest ecosystems. The first aim was to examine if humus forms are suitable indicators of microbiological properties of the topsoil in a high mountain forest (Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). The second aim was to predict microbiological parameters based on the topsoil pH value on two slopes of the study area (ca. 1200-2200 m a.s.l.). We investigated humus forms and determined pH values and microbiological parameters (enzymatic activities, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and the ratio of bacterial/archaeal abundance) of the uppermost mineral horizon. The results reveal significant correlations between pH value and microbiological parameters (except for bacterial/archaeal abundance), which enable upscaling to the landscape scale using linear models. Based on a random forest with kriging of model residuals, predictive maps of humus form, pH value and microbiological parameters show that decomposition processes in our study area correspond with the topography. As compared to locations on south-facing slopes or close to the valley bottom, locations on north-facing slopes or close to the upper treeline exhibit Moder (scarcely Mull or Amphimull), more acidic topsoil (around pH 4), a lower activity of leucine-aminopeptidase, a lower ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and a higher soil C/N ratio (above 20). Our results suggest a high potential of humus forms to indicate soil microbiological properties in a high mountain forest. Together with the pH values of the topsoil, humus forms proved to be a useful tool as a basis for predictive maps of leucine-aminopeptidase activity, ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and C/N ratio of the mineral topsoil.

show abstract

Section: Upscaling Of Microbiological Parameterssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Soil Ecological Implicationssupporting

confidence: 87%

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, this difference could be related to the elevation at which soils were sampled, since Carceller [15] worked at 1580-1600 m.a.s.l. and Badía et al [10] indicated increasing Al 3+ content with altitude in the Moncayo massif. …”

Section: Soil Chemical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Therefore, the introduction of pine forests in deforested areas that were formerly covered by beech stands may induce changes in soil properties [9] as biomass production, and its decomposition is different for each species [8]. Some studies have shown a higher accumulation of C and N in the litter of pine forests, but better integration of these in the mineral soil of beech forests [9][10][11][12]. Nevertheless, Leuschner et al [9], 51-128 years after the afforestation with Scots pine, detected a 50-80% decrease in organic C and N down to a 60 cm depth compared to soils below the original beech forests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Topsoil Properties after Centennial Scots Pine Afforestation in a European Beech Forest (NE Spain)

Girona-García

Badía

Martí

2018

Forests

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:In this work, we studied the effects of centenary Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) afforestation on topsoil properties conducted in a deforested area that was previously occupied by a natural European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest. Organic layers and topsoil Ah mineral horizons (0-10 cm) were sampled in the Scots pine and European beech forests of Moncayo Natural Park (north-eastern Spain). The physical (stoniness, aggregate stability, and water repellency persistence and intensity), chemical (total organic C, total N, C/N, pH, and exchangeable Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , Al 3+ , and Fe 3+ ), and physicochemical (cation exchange capacity) properties of soil were analyzed. Total organic C and N were also obtained for litter samples. The studied topsoils shared a series of common properties, such as a high stoniness and aggregate stability, very low base content, high cation exchange capacity, and extreme acidity. Soils that developed under the pinewood showed a higher soil water repellency intensity. However, K + content was significantly higher in the beechwood soil. In both forest types, total organic C and N were similar in topsoil and litter (Hemimoder type), although C and N were pooled in different O-layers. Results indicate that pine afforestation in a deforested area was an adequate measure for soil protection since it did not show significant differences in the long term (ca. 100 years) compared to the nearby natural beech stands.

show abstract

“…Study areas in the high mountains were found to be characterized by a high small-scale variability of humus forms related to micro-topography and local ground cover differences [9][10][11]. At the landscape scale, environmental factors such as climate, relief, parent material, vegetation, and land use shape landscape units with different humus systems [12][13][14][15]. In mountain environments with similar geological conditions, relief is the most decisive factor, as it controls mesoclimate, hydrological processes, erosion dynamics and vegetation zones [16][17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Spatial Patterns of Humus Forms in Montane and Subalpine Forests: Implications of Local Variability for Upscaling

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Humus forms are a distinctive morphological indicator of soil organic matter decomposition. The spatial distribution of humus forms depends on environmental factors such as topography, climate and vegetation. In montane and subalpine forests, environmental influences show a high spatial heterogeneity, which is reflected by a high spatial variability of humus forms. This study aims at examining spatial patterns of humus forms and their dependence on the spatial scale in a high mountain forest environment (Val di Sole/Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). On the basis of the distributions of environmental covariates across the study area, we described humus forms at the local scale (six sampling sites), slope scale (60 sampling sites) and landscape scale (30 additional sampling sites). The local variability of humus forms was analyzed with regard to the ground cover type. At the slope and landscape scale, spatial patterns of humus forms were modeled applying random forests and ordinary kriging of the model residuals. The results indicate that the occurrence of the humus form classes Mull, Mullmoder, Moder, Amphi and Eroded Moder generally depends on the topographical position. Local-scale patterns are mostly related to micro-topography (local accumulation and erosion sites) and ground cover, whereas slope-scale patterns are mainly connected with slope exposure and elevation. Patterns at the landscape scale show a rather irregular distribution, as spatial models at this scale do not account for local to slope-scale variations of humus forms. Moreover, models at the slope scale perform distinctly better than at the landscape scale. In conclusion, the results of this study highlight that landscape-scale predictions of humus forms should be accompanied by local- and slope-scale studies in order to enhance the general understanding of humus form patterns.

show abstract

The influence of elevation on soil properties and forest litter in the Siliceous Moncayo Massif, SW Europe

Cited by 50 publications

References 34 publications

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

Changes in Topsoil Properties after Centennial Scots Pine Afforestation in a European Beech Forest (NE Spain)

Modeling Spatial Patterns of Humus Forms in Montane and Subalpine Forests: Implications of Local Variability for Upscaling

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About