Abstract
The relationship between the decomposition of cellulose placed on and buried in the forest floor and various tree stand characteristics was studied at sites with minimal anthropogenic influence. The 22 study sites, including both forested upland and peatland plots, were clustered in 4 catchments between 61°–69° N in Finland. The stands were 60 to 320 years old and composed of varying proportions of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and deciduous species (mainly t Betula spp.). Cellulose strips (softwood pulp) were placed on the forest floor surface and buried at four depths down to 5 cm for two 1-year periods and the weight loss measured. Decomposition did not significantly correlate with stand age, but was strongly and positively correlated with stand basal area, mean tree height and stem volume. This was valid at all depths, and even after differences due to climate between catchments had been taken into account. The stem volume of Scots pine dominated plots had the highest correlation. Our results showed that decomposition of organic matter on and in the forest floor is related to the stand characteristics. This relationship should be considered when comparing soil processes different stands, even when comparing stands of the same tree species composition.
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Kurka, AM., Starr, M. Relationship between decomposition of cellulose in the soil and tree stand characteristics in natural boreal forests. Plant and Soil 195, 273–281 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004207516250
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004207516250