The mineral condition of soils and tree species in serpentine and non-serpentine areas of northern Hokkaido.
1994
Blandon D.M.Z. | Satoh F. | Matsuda K. | Sasa K. | Igarashi T.
Soils from a range of serpentine and non-serpentine sites in Teshio Experimental Forest, in the northern part of Hokkaido, were analyzed for the elements Ca, Mg, Na, K and trace elements Ni and Cr. Analysis for the same elements was also carried out on foliage ash from seventeen species of common plants growing in serpentine and non-serpentine sites. The serpentine-derived soils were characterized by their high concentration of Mg and lower Ca content. Consequently, an imbalance of these minerals was observed. Results of plant analysis showed that the levels of Ca and Mg found in trees growing in serpentine soils were significantly different among species, and most of the species did indeed maintain an excess of Mg over Ca in their leaf tissues. Picea glehnii appeared to be able to accumulate Ca preferentially to Mg. The species showed this particular mechanism of absorption of the available nutrients from the soil. It may be related to the ability of the roots to take up, selectively, the minerals needed by the plant. In addition, it can be also concluded that it is clear that the remaining species have adapted to low Ca levels in the substrate, since they are growing and regenerating in this serpentine environment. The heavy metals Ni and Cr in the soils do not appear to have a marked influence (especially Cr) on plant cover because of their very low amounts in the form available to plants.
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