Humus Accumulation in a Forested Haploboroll in South-Central New Mexico

Anderson, J. U.; Silberman, D.; Rai, D.

Humus Accumulation in a Forested Haploboroll in South-Central New Mexico

1975

Anderson, J. U. | Silberman, D. | Rai, D. (Dhanpat)

A field study of a 65-hectare area and a laboratory study of samples from two Boroll profiles and two Boralf profiles was conducted to determine why these extensive forested Borolls at high elevation have such an unusually high organic matter content. The study revealed that in these Rendzina-like Borolls, organic litter decomposes much more slowly than in an adjoining Boralf, as indicated by differences in organic matter contents. This difference in rate of microbial oxidation does not depend primarily on nutrients supplied to the microorganisms or on invasion by locally indigenous microflora. Slow decomposition of Boroll organic matter probably results from protection afforded by its mixture with mineral soil in the gut of terrestrial snails (Ashmunella rhyssa).

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