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Weight and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium Content of Forest Floor Humus of Lodgepole Pine Stands in Colorado
Author(s) -
Moir W. H.,
Grier H.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1969.03615995003300010036x
Subject(s) - humus , forest floor , pinus contorta , potassium , phosphorus , organic matter , environmental science , nitrogen , chemistry , nutrient , bulk density , loss on ignition , zoology , environmental chemistry , soil science , forestry , soil water , biology , geography , organic chemistry
The pine‐derived organic matter of the forest floor was sampled by horizon from eight Pinus contorta stands of contrasting densities, site indices, average dbh, and stand height. Tabular data are given for loss‐on‐ignition, mineral and ash content, and N, P, K, and Ca content of these horizons. Total quantities of forest floor humus ranged from 2.54 to 4.21 kg/m 2 irrespective of stand density. Expressed as g/m 2 the N content of the forest floor humus ranged from 31–54, P from 2–5, K from 7–17, and Ca from 10–25. The proportion of N increased with progressive decomposition of organic material. The most mobile nutrients, K and P, were generally most concentrated in the lowest of the four forest floor humus horizons whereas Ca concentrations differed little among each of the horizons.