Factors controlling the buildup of humus and particulate organic matter in European beech and Scots pine stands at their southernmost distribution limits (Moncayo Massif, Spain)

Mora Hernández, J.L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Molina Clerencia M. ; Girona-García A. ; Martí Dalmau C. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Badía Villas D. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Forests of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in the Iberian Peninsula contain some of the southernmost localities of these species and thus may display highly sensitive responses to environmental variations as a result of subjection to particular climate stresses. In this study, we investigated the effects of elevation and dominant tree species (beech vs. pine) on the buildup of organic matter (OM) and nutrients within the humus (O layers) and particulate organic matter (POM) of the topsoil (Ah layer) in centennial Scots pine forests compared to that in natural beech forests along an altitudinal gradient from 1100 to 1600 m.a.s.l. in the Moncayo Massif (northern Spain). The contents of nonstructural, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin-like, soluble ash and free lipid fractions and of C and major nutrients (N, P, S, K, and Ca) were analyzed and related to the buildup of OM within individual layers, which we used as an inverse surrogate for decomposition rates. The stocks of the studied variables in the humus and the POM were examined in relation to elevation and tree species. The highest storage values were found in the Scots pine sites at higher elevations in the form of thick layers of strongly decomposed organic matter (OH layers) and in the POM. Climate, as it related to elevation, was found to be the major driver of the early and intermediate stages of decomposition (represented by humus) but showed little effect on POM, which was more strongly affected by the tree species. The buildup of OM has its largest correlation (negative) with the content of Ca (which was higher under beech vegetation and decreased with increasing elevation), suggesting an effect of Ca in improving habitat conditions for biological activity. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115211

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Geoderma 401 (2021), 115211 [15 pp]
ISSN: 0016-7061

Factor impacto JCR: 7.422 (2021)

Categ. JCR: SOIL SCIENCE rank: 4 / 39 = 0.103 (2021) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 11.1 - Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.875 - Soil Science (Q1)

Financiación: nfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/UZ/UZ2020-TEC-01

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Producción Vegetal (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)
Área (Departamento): Área Edafología y Quím.Agríco. (Dpto. CC.Agrar.y Medio Natural)