Changes in Austrian pine forest floor properties in relation with altitude in mountainous areas
2008
Sevgi, O.,Istanbul Univ. (Turkey). Dept. of Soil Science and Ecology | Tecimen, H.B.,Istanbul Univ. (Turkey). Dept. of Soil Science and Ecology
We aimed to elucidate the interactions in moutainous conditions in the case of forest floor (FF) accumulation and decomposition rates under the effects of ecosystem components such as altitude and altitude induced climate on the FF characteristics. FF layers as leaf + fermentation (L + F) and humus (H) were collected from 37 representative sample plots along an altitudinal gradient (from 1,400 m to 1,710 m) on Kaz (Balikesir, Turkey) mountain. Mass, pH, organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (Nt) contents of FF were investigated. Total FF mass and (L + F), (H) sub-fraction masses through elevation show an insignificant relation with the altitude. No significant difference was found between the altitudinal groups in the OM content of L + F. Besides, there are significant negative correlations between OM contents of L + F and H layers and altitude with the coefficient values 0.342 (P less than 0.05) and 0.597 (P less than 0.01), respectively. The Nt content of L + F layer also increases through the elevation revealing a medium correlation with altitude (0.368; P less than 0.05). The increasing Nt and decreasing OM contents show better decomposition rates at higher sites regardless of the altitude induced climatic changes. We assume that the forest floor accumulation under tree canopies provides a better decomposition relying on the microclimatic environment mediated by tree canopies, in spite of the altitude.
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