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Physical and Chemical Properties of the Forest Floor in Birch and Aspen Stands in Interior Alaska
Author(s) -
Van Cleve Keith,
Noonan Laraine L.
Publication year - 1971
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/sssaj1971.03615995003500020048x
Subject(s) - forest floor , environmental science , organic matter , betula platyphylla , nutrient , forestry , vegetation (pathology) , decomposition , secondary forest , agroforestry , ecology , soil science , botany , geography , biology , soil water , medicine , pathology
This study was conducted to establish the mass and nutrient status of the forest floor in quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) and paper birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh.) forests in interior Alaska. Results of this investigation show that aspen forests have a greater mass of organic matter and nutrient elements in the forest floor than birch forests. The more favorable base status in aspen forest floors is reflected in higher pH and lower exchangeable hydrogen than encountered in birch forest floors. Increasing degree of organic matter decomposition in the forest floor of both vegetation types (L layer > F layer > H layer) is associated with increased N content and cation exchange capacity of the organic matter in the respective layers.