Tree species and soil nutrient profiles in old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
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Abstract
Old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest provide a unique opportunity to examine tree species – soil relationships in ecosystems that have developed without significant human disturbance. We characterized foliage, forest floor, and mineral soil nutrients associated with four canopy tree species (Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don), and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum Pursh)) in eight old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range. The greatest forest floor accumulations of C, N, P, Ca, Mg, and K occurred under Douglas-fir, primarily due to greater forest floor mass. In mineral soil, western hemlock exhibited significantly lower Ca concentration and sum of cations (Ca + Mg + K) than bigleaf maple, with intermediate values for Douglas-fir and western redcedar. Bigleaf maple explained most species-based differences in foliar nutrients, displaying high concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, and K. Foliar P and N:P variations largely reflected soil P variation across sites. The four tree species that we examined exhibited a number of individualistic effects on soil nutrient levels that contribute to biogeochemical heterogeneity in these ecosystems. Where fire suppression and long-term succession favor dominance by highly shade-tolerant western hemlock, our results suggest a potential for declines in both soil Ca availability and soil biogeochemical heterogeneity in old-growth forests.
Suggested Citation
Cross, A., and Perakis, S., 2011, Tree species and soil nutrient profiles in old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range: Canadian Journal of Forest Research, v. 41, no. 1, p. 195-210, https://doi.org/10.1139/X10-199.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Tree species and soil nutrient profiles in old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range |
| Series title | Canadian Journal of Forest Research |
| DOI | 10.1139/X10-199 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| Publisher location | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Contributing office(s) | Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center |
| Description | 16 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Canadian Journal of Forest Research |
| First page | 195 |
| Last page | 210 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |