Premium
Soil Chemical Patterns under Eastern Oregon Plant Communities Dominated by Big Sagebrush
Author(s) -
Doescher Paul S.,
Miller Richard F.,
Winward Alma H.
Publication year - 1984
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/sssaj1984.03615995004800030038x
Subject(s) - tussock , perennial plant , shrub , nutrient , soil water , agronomy , environmental science , plant community , soil horizon , soil fertility , organic matter , ecology , soil science , biology , ecological succession
The objectives of this study were (i) to examine soil nutrient patterning in eastern Oregon plant communities dominated by subspecies of Artemisia tridentata Nutt., and (ii) to compare soil nutrient levels between adjacent sites characterized by contrasting amounts of sagebrush and perennial grasses. Horizontal and vertical soil chemical patterns were evident on all sites. Surface concentrations of nutrients were greates tunder shrubs in comparison to interspace and grass influenced soils. Values of total N, organic matter, K, and P tended to decrease with depth, while Mg concentrations generally increased in lower soil horizons. Soil pH was generally lower in upper soil horizons. Soil chemical differences between shrub, interspace and bunchgrass influenced soils became less distinct with increased soil depth. Differences in soil chemical levels between sites with a high proportion of perennial grasses to shrubs and sites with a low proportion of perennial grasses to shrubs were noted. However, no consistent patterns were evident.