Response of dissolved organic matter in the forest floor to long-term manipulation of litter and throughfall inputs

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) contributes to organic carbon either stored in mineral soil horizons or exported to the hydrosphere. However, the main controls of DOM dynamics are still under debate. We studied fresh leaf litter and more decomposed organic material as the main sources of DOM exported from the forest floor of a mixed beech/oak forest in Germany. In the field we doubled and excluded aboveground litter input and doubled the input of throughfall. From 1999 to 2005 we measured concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic C and N (DOC, DON) beneath the Oi and Oe/Oa horizon. DOM composition was traced by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. In selected DOM samples we analyzed the concentrations of phenols, pentoses and hexoses, and lignin-derived phenols by CuO oxidation. DOC and DON concentrations and fluxes almost doubled instantaneously in both horizons of the forest floor by doubling the litter input and DOC concentrations averaged 82 mg C l⁻¹ in the Oe/Oa horizon. Properties of DOM did not suggest a change of the main DOM source towards fresh litter. In turn, increasing ratios of hexoses to pentoses and a larger content of lignin-derived phenols in the Oe/Oa horizon of the Double litter plots in comparison to the Control plots indicated a priming effect: Addition of fresh litter stimulated microbial activity resulting in increased microbial production of DOM from organic material already stored in Oe/Oa horizons. Exclusion of litter input resulted in an immediate decrease in DOC concentrations and fluxes in the thin Oi horizon. In the Oe/Oa horizon DOC concentrations started to decline in the third year and were significantly smaller than those in the Control after 5 years. Properties of DOM indicated an increased proportion of microbially and throughfall derived compounds after exclusion of litter inputs. Dissolved organic N did not decrease upon litter exclusion. We assume a microbial transformation of mineral N from throughfall and N mineralization to DON. Increased amounts of throughfall resulted in almost equivalently increased DOC fluxes in the Oe/Oa horizon. However, long-term additional throughfall inputs resulted in significantly declining DOC concentrations over time. We conclude that DOM leaving the forest floor derives mainly from decomposed organic material stored in Oe/Oa horizons. Leaching of organic matter from fresh litter is of less importance. Observed effects of litter manipulations strongly depend on time and the stocks of organic matter in forest floor horizons. Long-term experiments are particularly necessary in soils/horizons with large stocks of organic matter and in studies focusing on effects of declined substrate availability. The expected increased primary production upon climate change with subsequently enhanced litter input may result in an increased production of DOM from organic soil horizons.     

Concentration and Fluxes of Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in Three Norway Spruce Stands along a Climatic Gradient in Sweden

Leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the forest floor and transport in soil solution into the mineral soil are important for carbon cycling in boreal forest ecosystems. We examined DOC concentrations in bulk deposition, throughfall and in soil solutions collected under the O and B horizons in three Norway spruce stands along a climatic gradient in Sweden. Mean annual temperature for the three sites was 5.5, 3.4 and 1.2 °C. At each site we also examined the effect of soil moisture on DOC dynamics along a moisture gradient (dry, mesic and moist plots). To obtain information about the fate of DOC leached from the O horizon into the mineral soil, ¹⁴C measurements were made on bulk organic matter and DOC. The concentration and fluxes of DOC in O horizon leachates were highest at the southern site and lowest at the northern. Average DOC concentrations at the southern, central and northern sites were 49, 39 and 30 mg l⁻¹, respectively. We suggest that DOC leaching rates from O horizons were related to the net primary production of the ecosystem. Soil temperature probably governed the within-year variation in DOC concentration in O horizon leachates, but the peak in DOC was delayed relative to that of temperature, probably due to sorption processes. Neither soil moisture regime (dry, mesic or moist plots) nor seasonal variation in soil moisture seemed to be of any significance for the concentration of DOC leached from the O horizon. The ¹⁴C measurements showed that DOC in soil solution collected below the B horizon was derived mainly from the B horizon itself, rather than from the O horizon, indicating a substantial exchange (sorption–desorption reactions) between incoming DOC and soil organic carbon in the mineral soil.     

祁连山排露沟流域典型植被类型的水源涵养功能差异

土壤水分是"绿水"重要的储存,连接植被与水文系统的纽带。水源涵养功能是山地生态系统重要的生态系统服务,这种功能主要体现是生态系统将水分保持在系统内的过程和能力,并受多种因素的影响(如植被类型、土壤类型和地形)。通过对祁连山排露沟流域的土壤属性、土壤温湿度和降雨2个生长季的野外调查与观测,以及计算水源涵养功能指标来评估3种典型植被类型土壤水分涵养能力的差异。研究结果:(1)灌丛和青海云杉林下有机质、粉粒和砂粒含量、田间持水量、饱和持水量和孔隙度等土壤属性值高于草地,而土壤容重和粘粒含量低于草地;(2)青海云杉林的根区土壤累计入渗量高于灌丛和草地,草地土壤水分损失较灌丛和青海云杉林更快;(3)整个生长季内青海云杉林和灌丛土壤湿度明显高于草地湿度,青海云杉林的水源涵养功能指标值多大于1。这些结果表明青海云杉林较灌丛和草地具有更强的水源涵养能力。因此,研究结果能为国内干旱区山地生态系统的流域生态系统管理与可持续发展提供科学参考。     

三峡库区不同植被类型土壤养分特征

通过三峡库区8个植被类型370个样地的群落调查和土壤分析,研究了不同植被类型、土壤类型、海拔对表层土壤有机质及全氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的影响.结果表明:(1)三峡库区不同植被类型土壤有机质、全氮平均含量规律为阔叶林＞竹林＞针叶林＞灌丛＞草丛,森林土壤有机质及全氮平均含量丰富;速效磷平均含量表现为草丛＞落叶阔叶林＞灌丛＞暖性针叶林＞常绿落叶阔叶混交林＞温性针叶林＞竹林＞常绿阔叶林,草丛与其他植被类型差异显著;速效钾平均含量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林＞落叶阔叶林＞灌丛＞针叶林＞竹林＞草丛＞常绿阔叶林,竹林、草丛、常绿阔叶林与常绿落叶阔叶混交林、落叶阔叶林、灌丛、针叶林差异显著.(2)不同土壤类型养分含量差异显著,黄棕壤中有机质、全氮含量高,分别为6.83%、0.44%,紫色土中速效磷含量高,达到54.24mg/kg.(3)随海拔升高,有机质、全氮含量呈明显增加趋势,速效磷、速效钾含量变化趋势不明显.     

黄土高原不同植被带土壤团聚体有机碳和酶活性的粒径分布特征

为探究土壤中各粒级团聚体不同形态有机碳和酶活性的分布特征,以黄土高原延河流域森林带、森林草原带、草原带土壤为对象,研究了不同粒级团聚体总有机碳、易氧化碳和腐殖质碳含量,以及纤维素酶、β-D葡糖苷酶、过氧化物酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性,分析了土壤团聚体有机碳及其组分与酶活性之间的相关关系.结果表明： 3种植被带土壤团聚体有机碳及其组分含量表现为森林带＞草原带＞森林草原带,3种形态有机碳含量在0.25～2 mm粒径均最高;不同植被带土壤团聚体有机碳及其组分含量和酶活性在0～10 cm土层大于10～20 cm土层;3种植被带纤维素酶、β-D葡糖苷酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性表现为森林带＞草原带＞森林草原带,过氧化物酶活性表现为森林带＞森林草原带＞草原带;3种植被带土壤中各种酶活性随着粒径的减小呈递增趋势.土壤纤维素酶、过氧化物酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性与团聚体各种形态碳含量均呈显著正相关.
     

土壤有机质对土壤水分保持及其有效性的控制作用

如何基于常规测定因子评估森林在土壤水分保持方面的生态效益, 并建立森林固碳效益与水文效益的联系等科学问题, 在综合评估森林生态效益方面有着重要意义。该文以南亚热带地区的3种不同演替阶段的森林生态系统(人工恢复的马尾松针叶林(Pinus massoniana coniferous forest, PF)、马尾松针阔叶混交林(mixed Pinus massoniana-broad-leaved forest, PBF)和季风常绿阔叶林(monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, MBF))为研究对象, 通过分析其土壤有机质及土壤水分状况在林内及林型间的分布格局差异, 探讨土壤有机质对土壤水分保持的控制作用。结果表明: 由PF至地带性顶级群落MBF的3种林分虽然相距很近且有关环境因子一致, 但0-30 cm土层的土壤含水量差异显著, MBF的最高, PBF其次; 3种林型林内土壤水分分布格局迥异, MBF的土壤水分随土层加深而递减的趋势明显, PBF土壤各层水分较为均一, PF则土壤表层水分含量较低, 与土壤有机质的状况一致。土壤水分特征曲线显示, 0-40 cm土层在相同基质吸力条件下的土壤水分含量: MBF > PBF > PF, MBF的保水性最好。进一步分析发现, 土壤孔隙度对土壤含水量的影响最大, 饱和含水量、土壤有机质次之, 同时, 考虑到土壤孔隙度和土壤饱和含水量对土壤有机质的高度依赖性, 我们认为土壤有机质控制着土壤含水量及其有效性( p= 0.014)。作为常规测定指标的土壤有机质, 不仅是森林固碳效益的关键指标, 而且可用来量度土壤水分保持及其有效性, 可以作为评价森林生态系统服务功能的一个综合指标。     

Vegetation effects on phosphorus fractions in set-aside soils

As increasing amounts of arable land are being set aside, it is of importance to study the effect of vegetation on soil fertility. The fractionation of soil P under grassland, beech and spruce vegetation was investigated in sites previously fertilized with P by extracting sequentially with Resin, NaHCO₃, NaOH, HCl and finally NaOH after ultrasonic pretreatment. Under beech a large part of extractable P was found in inorganic fractions which are considered to be available for plants (Resin P₁ and Bicarbonate P₁). Under grass, a large part of the extractable P was found in potentially labile organic forms (Bicarbonate P_o and Fulvic acid P_o). After 25 years of permanent grass vegetation, the extractability of soil P was comparable to that from an adjacent arable plot. On spruce covered soils most of the added fertilizer P was rendered unextractable 20–30 years after application. However the available data does not allow a clear interpretation of this phenomena, as effects of soil parent material as well as vegetation may be taken into consideration. No decrease in P-extractability was found between beech and grass covered soils which had been fertilized for more than 200 years, when compared to less rich soils from the same area. On the basis of the current data it may be concluded that the vegetation affects the distribution of soil phosphorus fractions, and thus soil fertility. In the soils under investigation, grassland and beech vegetation conserved the phosphate availability to a high extent.     

喀斯特山区不同植被类型土壤有机碳的变化

研究了贵州西南部典型喀斯特山区不同植被类型下常规土壤及小生境土壤中有机碳及不同粒径土壤颗粒有机碳的变化.结果表明:不同植被类型下,常规及小生境土壤有机碳含量均表现为:裸地＜草丛＜灌木林＜乔木林,常规土壤变幅在7.18 ～43.42 g·kg-1,土面和石坑土壤有机碳变幅分别为6.62 ～46.47 g· kg-1和9.01 ～52.07 g·kg-1;颗粒有机碳(POC)/矿物结合态有机碳( MOC)值均为:裸地＜草丛＜乔木林＜灌木林,同一植被类型下,与常规及土面相比,石坑中土壤POC/MOC值最高;植被在由裸地-草丛-灌木林-乔木林的变化过程中,不同粒径土壤颗粒有机碳含量增加,而土壤有机碳主要以砂粒及粉砂粒有机碳形式存在,说明喀斯特地区土壤的固碳能力及有机碳稳定性较弱,土壤易受外界干扰而引发有机碳流失,土壤质量存在下降或退化的风险.     

The effect of fallow and continuous cultivation on the chemical and physical properties of an alfisol in western Nigeria

Summary Soil properties under continuous cropping were compared with those under planted fallows and natural bush regrowth for three years after forest clearing. The cropping treatments consisted of continuous maize with and without stover returned as surface mulch, continuous soybean, and maize and cassava intercropped. The fallow treatments included pigeon pea, leucaena, Guinea grass and natural bush regrowth.In the continuous soybean and unmulched maize plots, soil organic matter and pH declined rapidly; whereas the mulched maize plots maintained a soil organic matter level comparable to the fallow treatments. To maintain soil organic matter in the surface soil at a level comparable to soil under secondary forest, two to three applications of a total amount of 16 MT/ha/annum of dry plant materials (maize stover or grass) are required when the material is applied as surface mulch.In the cropped plots, favorable physical characteristics in the surface soil were also maintained when sufficient plant residue was returned; whereas the deterioration of subsoil structure of the forest soil occurred in all cropping treatments.Guinea grass fallow has a distinct advantage in recycling mineral nutrients and maintaining soil physical properties and organic matter. It is suggested that soils may be planted with a combination of Guinea grass and pigeon pea fallow for one or two years after three or four years of arable cultivation.IITA Journal Paper No. 65 IITA Journal Paper No. 65     

Carbon isotopic fractionation in subtropical brazilian grassland soils. Comparison with tropical forest soils

The natural relationship¹³C/¹²C determined in three soil profiles under grass vegetation indicated a depletion in organic¹³C at depth: theδ ¹³C was between −18‰ and −15‰ in the A horizons and ranged from −18 to −22‰ at depth. Previous work showed that in forest soils, whereδ ¹³C was near −28‰ in the upper horizon, there was, on the contrary, a relative enrichment of the lower strata. This meant thatδ ¹³C, initially different in the various topsoils, became more equal at depth. Comparison between dark, deep horizons (sombric horizons), which are certainly of illuvial origine, would confirm this:δ ¹³C of grassland and a forest sombric horizon were almost equal at around −22‰. These results might mean that, in natural ecosystems, the isotopic carbon composition of the soil underlying humus would be independent of the vegetation type. This would have practical implications for the use of¹³C as a tracer for soil organic matter studies.     

The effect of acid rain,soil temperature and humidity on C-mineralization rates in organic soil layers under spruce

The biological activity in organic soil layers under spruce was determined by measuring rates of carbon dioxide emission. Under laboratory conditions, biological activity was found to be optimal at temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C and at water contents ranging from 40% to 60%. Weakly acidic to neutral pH values of organic materials stimulated microbial CO₂ formation whereas high acidity (pH<2.4) inhibited it. Low CO₂ emission rates were observed at pH<2.4 and therefore populations of microorganisms highly resistant to acid must be present in the organic materials. The O_L horizon was found to contribute 50% of the total potential C-mineralization with the lower horizons O_F and O_H contributing 25% each. In simulating acid rain experiments, analysis of water percolating through the organic layers was shown to cause constant leaching of cations at the pH 3 to 6.5 range. In this respect, the O_L horizon exerts a buffering effect. It can be postulated that the acidification of soil organic material under spruce by acid rain inhibits C-mineralization and decreases the release of mineral nutrients. In the long run this can be expected to affect the turnover of mineral nutrients in forest ecosystems.     

漓江水陆交错带不同植被类型的土壤酶活性

水陆交错带是内陆水生生态系统与陆地生态系统之间的功能界面区,其包含了高地到低地直到水体的区域,是土壤有机质源、汇和转换器。土壤中有机物的分解以及营养物质的转化不仅影响到植物的生长,也对水体质量产生间接影响。土壤酶几乎参与土壤中有机物质的分解与合成的全过程,直接或间接影响着土壤一系列的生物化学反应,对生态系统的物质循环产生重要影响。不少学者围绕农田土壤、林地土壤以及湿地土壤探讨了不同植被下酶活性的变异。水陆交错带植被种类丰富,周期性的淹水条件加剧了土壤性质变异的复杂性。但目前水陆交错带不同植被类型土壤酶活性差异的研究不多。以漓江水陆交错带土壤为研究对象,对苔藓、草本和灌丛3种植被类型下的土壤溶解性化学成分、4种土壤水解酶即糖苷酶、几丁质酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶和磷酸酶以及2种氧化还原酶即酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶的活性,以及土壤性质与酶活性之间的关系进行了研究。结果表明,苔藓植被下土壤的糖苷酶和酚氧化酶活性显著高于草本和灌丛,草本植被下土壤的过氧化物酶活性显著高于苔藓和灌丛,灌丛植被下土壤几丁质酶活性显著高于苔藓和草本,但不同植被类型的土壤亮氨酸氨基肽酶活性无显著差异。相关分析表明,土壤水分含量与糖苷酶和酚氧化酶活性呈显著正相关,而与几丁质酶和碱性磷酸酶活性呈显著负相关。土壤有机碳和易氧化碳均与糖苷酶和酚氧化酶活性呈极显著负相关,与几丁质酶活性呈显著正相关。土壤溶解性有机碳与亮氨酸氨基肽酶和酚氧化酶呈显著正相关。综合认为,水陆交错带不同种类土壤酶在不同植被类型间的差异有别,土壤水分含量和土壤有机碳显著影响土壤酶活性的变化。不同植被类型土壤酶活性的差异不仅与植被类型有关,与水陆交错带微地形以及土壤性质的空间异质性也有密切关系,需运用长期控制试验手段开展研究。     

Reversibility of Soil Productivity Decline with Organic Matter of Differing Quality Along a Degradation Gradient

In the highlands of Western Kenya, we investigated the reversibility of soil productivity decline with increasing length of continuous maize cultivation over 100 years (corresponding to decreasing soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient contents) using organic matter additions of differing quality and stability as a function of soil texture and inorganic nitrogen (N) additions. The ability of additions of labile organic matter (green and animal manure) to improve productivity primarily by enhanced nutrient availability was contrasted with the ability of stable organic matter (biochar and sawdust) to improve productivity by enhancing SOC. Maize productivity declined by 66% during the first 35 years of continuous cropping after forest clearing. Productivity remained at a low level of 3.0 t grain ha^-1 across the chronosequence stretching up to 105 years of continuous cultivation despite full N–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K) fertilization (120–100–100 kg ha⁻¹). Application of organic resources reversed the productivity decline by increasing yields by 57–167%, whereby responses to nutrient-rich green manure were 110% greater than those from nutrient-poor sawdust. Productivity at the most degraded sites (80–105 years since forest clearing) increased in response to green manure to a greater extent than the yields at the least degraded sites (5 years since forest clearing), both with full N–P–K fertilization. Biochar additions at the most degraded sites doubled maize yield (equaling responses to green manure additions in some instances) that were not fully explained by nutrient availability, suggesting improvement of factors other than plant nutrition. There was no detectable influence of texture (soils with either 11–14 or 45–49% clay) when low quality organic matter was applied (sawdust, biochar), whereas productivity was 8, 15, and 39% greater (P < 0.05) on sandier than heavier textured soils with high quality organic matter (green and animal manure) or only inorganic nutrient additions, respectively. Across the entire degradation range, organic matter additions decreased the need for additional inorganic fertilizer N irrespective of the quality of the organic matter. For low quality organic resources (biochar and sawdust), crop yields were increasingly responsive to inorganic N fertilization with increasing soil degradation. On the other hand, fertilizer N additions did not improve soil productivity when high quality organic inputs were applied. Even with the tested full N–P–K fertilization, adding organic matter to soil was required for restoring soil productivity and most effective in the most degraded sites through both nutrient delivery (with green manure) and improvement of SOC (with biochar).     

Effects of forest conversion into grassland on soil aggregate structure and carbon storage in Panama: evidence from soil carbon fractionation and stable isotopes

Land-use and land-cover strongly influence soil properties such as the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate structure and SOC turnover processes. We studied the effects of a vegetation shift from forest to grassland 90 years ago in soils derived from andesite material on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. We quantified the amount of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and determined the turnover of C in bulk soil, water stable aggregates (WSA) of different size classes (<53 μm, 53–250 μm, 250–2000 μm and 2000–8000 μm) and density fractions (free light fraction, intra-aggregate particulate organic matter and mineral associated soil organic C). Total SOC stocks (0–50 cm) under forest (84 Mg C ha⁻¹) and grassland (64 Mg C ha⁻¹) did not differ significantly. Our results revealed that vegetation type did not have an effect on aggregate structure and stability. The investigated soils at BCI did not show higher C and N concentrations in larger aggregates, indicating that organic material is not the major binding agent in these soils to form aggregates. Based on δ¹³C values and treating bulk soil as a single, homogenous C pool we estimated a mean residence time (MRT) of 69 years for the surface layer (0–5 cm). The MRT varied among the different SOC fractions and among depth. In 0–5 cm, MRT of intra-aggregate particulate organic matter (iPOM) was 29 years; whereas mineral associated soil organic C (mSOC) had a MRT of 124 years. These soils have substantial resilience to C and N losses because the >90% of C and N is associated with mSOC, which has a comparatively long MRT.     

Effects of repeated (NH4)2SO4 application on sulfur pools in soil,soil microbial biomass,and ground vegetation of two watersheds in the Black Forest/Germany

The effect of repeated (NH₄)₂SO₄ applications (3 × 700 kg ha^–1 in 1988, 1991, and 1994, respectively) on S pools in soil, soil microbial biomass, and ground vegetation was studied at two Norway spruce (Picea abies L. [Karst.]) sites in the Black Forest/Germany. In both eco-systems, most of the total S pool was located in the soil. The soil also was the predominant compartment for retention of applied SO₄ ^2--S. The fractions of organic and inorganic S forms in the initial soil S content, and the retention of experimentally applied S was different for both sites. In the podzol Schluchsee, organic S accounted for 92% of total S. In the cambisol Villingen, the S pool consisted of 33% organic S and 67% inorganic S. The retention of applied S in various compartments of both ecosystems reflected these proportions. Only minor amounts of fertilized S (<1%) was retained in the spruce trees, ground vegetation, and soil microbial biomass. However, between 51% (Villingen) and 72% (Schluchsee) of the applied S was retained in the soil. In the Schluchsee podzol, 75% of retained fertilizer S was accumulated as ester sulfate, whereas SO₄ ^2-adsorption and precipitation of Al hydroxy sulfates were restricted by dissolved organic matter in the soil solution. In the Villingen cambisol, SO₄ ^2- adsorption was the dominant process of S retention, although 20% of the fertilized S again was retained as ester sulfate. The significant relevance of organic S forms in the retention of fertilizer S in both soils emphasizes the need for models which include the formation and re-mineralization of organic S compounds, especially of ester sulfates, for correctly simulating and predicting the retention and remobilization of S in acid forest soils subject to changing atmospheric N and S deposition.     

Changes in carbon storage in temperate humic loamy soils after forest clearing and continuous corn cropping in France

Soil samples from forest and agricultural sites in three areas of southwest France were collected to determine the effect of forest conversion to continuous intensive corn cropping with no organic matter management on soil organic carbon (C) content. Soils were humic loamy soils and site characteristics that may affect soil C were as uniform as possible (slope, elevation, texture, soil type, vegetation). Three areas were selected, with adjacent sites of various ages of cultivation (3 to 35 yr), and paired control forest sites. The ploughed horizon (0-Dt cm) and the Dt-50 cm layer were collected at each agricultural site. In forest sites, each 10 cm layer was collected systematically down to 1 meter depth. Carbon concentrations were converted to total content to a given depth as the product of concentration, depth of sample and bulk density, and expressed in units of kg m^-2. For each site and each sampled layer, the mineral mass of soil was calculated, in order to base comparisons on the same soil mass rather than the same depth. The pattern of C accumulation in forest soils showed an exponential decrease with depth. Results suggested that soil organic carbon declined rapidly during the first years of cultivation, and at a slower rate thereafter. This pattern of decrease can be fitted by a bi-exponential model assuming that initial soil organic carbon can be separated into two parts, a very labile pool reduced during the first rapid decline and more refractory fractions oxidizing at a slower rate. Sampling to shallow depths (0-Dt cm) resulted in over-estimation of the rate of carbon release in proportion to the initial amount of C, and in under-estimation of the total loss of C with age. The results for the 0–50 cm horizon indicated that losses of total carbon average about 50% in these soils, ranging in initial carbon content from 19 to 32.5 kg m^-2. Carbon release to the atmosphere averaged 0.8 kg m^-2 yr^-1 to 50 cm depth during the first 10 years of cultivation. The results demonstrate that temperate soils may also be an important source of atmospheric carbon, when they are initially high in carbon content and then cultivated intensively with no organic matter management.     

Soil properties under Norway spruce differ in spruce dominated and mixed broadleaf forests of the Southern Taiga

In natural forest, disturbance changes tree species composition which in turn affects soil properties. Two areas in the Central Forest State Biosphere Reserve, in the Russian Southern Taiga Zone, differed in the intensity of disturbance: Norway spruce was the dominant species at one site, while at the other spruce was mixed with broadleaves. The presence of broadleaves was due to large gaps in the canopy having been formed, which have triggered vegetation succession. At both sites, five plots were selected to evaluate how the presence of broadleaves influences the properties of the soils under spruce. Soil samples were taken close to spruce trees and the O, A and E horizons were analysed. A difference in the distribution of organic matter in the soil horizons was evident, with a higher concentration in the O and A horizons at the spruce dominated site, while a more homogeneous distribution was found under spruce at the site where broadleaves were abundant. The organic matter did not only differ in quantity, but also in quality as estimated by the C/N ratio, and therefore affected the CEC and element relative availability. No differences at the two sites were found for water-extractable and exchangeable elements, but the ratio between the exchangeable and the acid-extractable forms were different, suggesting a higher relative availability of the elements at the spruce dominated site, and thus potentially higher leaching. Both theoretical and empirical studies have suggested that podzolisation and accumulation of organic matter in the O horizon are related to stagnation of ecosystem processes and ecosystem decline. Our data suggest that the presence to windthrow sites and the inclusion of broadleaf species acts to slow or even reverse podzolisation even in spruce dominated sites.     

长白山原始阔叶红松林土壤有机质组分小尺度空间异质性

土壤有机质(SOM)对于维持生态系统生产力具有非常重要的意义,有机质的组成、空间分布和空间关联性是影响和控制诸多生态系统过程的重要因素。应用地统计学方法,对长白山原始阔叶红松林局部尺度内0—20 cm土壤有机质与活性有机质的空间异质性进行了研究,并通过交叉半方差分析探讨了二者之间的相关性。研究结果表明:(1)总体上来说,土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、颗粒态有机碳(POC)和颗粒态有机氮(PON)空间异质性较小;而土壤微生物量碳(MBC)、微生物量氮(MBN)和表层(0—10 cm)溶解性有机碳(DOC)的空间异质性较大;(2)SOC、TN、MBC、DOC、POC和PON随着深度的增加空间自相关性增加;而溶解性有机氮(DON)的空间自相关性随深度的增加变化不大;(3)SOC与TN在表层和下层(10—20 cm)均存在空间上的正相关关系;(4)SOC、TN在表层和下层分别与MBC、MBN、DOC、DON和POC呈空间上的正相关性,但是与PON之间的空间相关关系较差;(5)不同土层深度的土壤活性有机质之间的相关关系存在差异。在表层,除POC,PON外,其余土壤活性有机质组分在空间上两两相关;但是随着土壤深度的增加,活性有机质变量之间在空间上两两相关。研究结果表明土壤有机质组分在长白山原始阔叶红松林小尺度内存在不同空间异质性和空间关联性,这为人们更好的理解森林生态系统功能(如土壤养分循环)提供了重要的理论依据。     

Changes in dissolved lignin-derived phenols, neutral sugars, uronic acids, and amino sugars with depth in forested Haplic Arenosols and Rendzic Leptosols

A major part of the dissolved organic matter produced in the organic layers of forest ecosystems and leached into the mineral soil is retained by the upper subsoil horizons. The retention is selective and thus dissolved organic matter in the subsoils has different composition than dissolved organic matter leached from the forest floor. Here we report on changes in the composition of dissolved organic matter with soil depth based on C-to-N ratios, XAD-8 fractionation, wet-chemical analyses (lignin-derived CuO oxidation products, hydrolysable sugars and amino sugars) and liquid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Dissolved organic matter was sampled directly beneath the forest floor using tension-free lysimeters and at 90cm depth by suction cups in Haplic Arenosols under Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Rendzic Leptosols under European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest. At both sites, the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) decreased but not as strongly as reported for deeply weathered soils. The decrease in DOC was accompanied by strong changes in the composition of dissolved organic matter. The proportion of the XAD-8-adsorbable (hydrophobic) fraction, carboxyl and aromatic C, and the concentrations of lignin-derived phenols decreased whereas the concentrations of sugars, amino sugars, and nitrogen remained either constant or increased. A general feature of the compositional changes within the tested compound classes was that the ratios of neutral to acidic compounds increased with depth. These results indicate that during the transport of dissolved organic matter through the soils, oxidatively degraded lignin-derived compounds were preferentially retained while potentially labile material high in nitrogen and carbohydrates tended to remain dissolved. Despite the studied soils' small capacity to sorb organic matter, the preferential retention of potentially refractory and acidic compounds suggests sorption by the mineral soil matrix rather than biodegradation to govern the retention of dissolved organic matter even in soils with a low sorption capacity.     

Effects of afforestation on phosphorus dynamics and biological properties in a New Zealand grassland soil

Selected chemical, biochemical and biological properties of mineral soil (0–30 cm) were measured under a 19 year old forest stand (mixture of Pinus ponderosa and Pinus nigra) and adjacent unimproved grassland at a site in South Island, New Zealand. The effects of afforestation on soil properties were confined to the 0–10 cm layer, which reflected the distribution of fine roots (< 2 mm) in the soil profile. Concentrations of organic C, total N and P and all organic forms of P were lower under the forest stand, while concentrations of inorganic P were higher under forest compared with grassland, supporting the previously described suggestion that afforestation may promote mineralisation of soil organic matter and organic P. On the other hand, microbial biomass C and P, soil respiration and phosphatase enzyme activity were currently all lower and the metabolic quotient was higher in soil under forest compared with grassland, which is inconsistent with increased mineralisation in the forest soil. Reduced biological fertility by afforestation may be mainly attributed to changes in the quantity, quality and distribution of organic matter, and reduction in pH of the forest soil compared with the grassland soil. We hypothesize that the lower levels of C, N and organic P found in soil under forest are due to enhanced microbial and phosphatase activity during the earlier stages of forest development. Forest floor material (L and F layer) contained large amounts of C, N and P, together with high levels of microbial and phosphatase enzyme activity. Thus, the forest floor may be an important source of nutrients for plant growth and balance the apparent reduction in C, N and P in mineral soil through mineralisation and plant uptake. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.