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Seasonal Variation in Soil Nutrients Under Six Rocky Mountain Vegetation Types
Author(s) -
Weaver T.,
Forcella F.
Publication year - 1979
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/sssaj1979.03615995004300030031x
Subject(s) - nutrient , vegetation (pathology) , environmental science , seasonality , phosphorus , artemisia , agronomy , organic matter , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , biology , chemistry , geology , medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , geotechnical engineering
Soils under vegetation types dominated by Festuca idahoensis, Artemisia tridentata, Populus tremuloides, Pseudotsuga menziesii , and Abies lasiocarpa were sampled at monthly intervals during 1974 and 1975 to determine the magnitude of seasonal variation in nutrient availability. Results may be summarized by expressing minimal values observed in 1974 as a percentage of maximum values: nitrate 27%, ammonium 30%, phosphorus 45%, potassium 65%, calcium 77%, magnesium 82%, sodium 60%, and organic matter 80%. Nutrients were most available in the early fall (September — October) and least available at midwinter (January — April). Rates of change in nutrient availability were smallest in winter and spring. Seasonal variation in Abies forests was notably less than in other vegetation types.