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Characterization of the Forest Floor in Stands along a Moisture Gradient in Southern New Mexico
Author(s) -
Wollum A. G.
Publication year - 1973
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/sssaj1973.03615995003700040044x
Subject(s) - juniper , moisture , forest floor , environmental science , dry forest , pinus <genus> , dry weight , nutrient , forestry , botany , soil science , ecology , geography , biology , soil water , meteorology
Forest floor properties of stands along a moisture gradient from dry, represented by a piñon‐juniper stand ( Pinus edulis Engelm— Juniperus scopulorum Sarg.), to wet, represented by a white fir stand ( Abies concolor [Gordon & Glend.] Lindl.), were studied. Dry weights and amounts of nutrients were directly related to the moisture gradient. For example, dry weights of the forest floor increased from 9.4 to 80.8 metric tons/ha from the dry to the wet end of the moisture gradient, respectively. Nutrient concentrations were not related to the moisture gradient with the exception of K. In the more mesic stands sufficient water appears to have been present to allow substantial leaching of K from the forest floor.