Abstract
Litterfall and decomposition processes were compared among four forest plantations that were dominated by loblolly pine (
Pinus taeda L) but that differed.in terms of presence or absence of deciduous and herbaceous components. Based on aboveground litterfall, the pine-only community was the most productive but had the slowest turnover of organic matter in the forest floor. The presence of deciduous and/or herbaccous vegetation caused more rapid turnover of forest litter and altered the nature of immobilization/mineralization patterns for N and P in the same material. Temporal patterns of N and P changes in the forest floor were much more dynamic in mixed pine-deciduous communities and suggest more intense competition between microbes and vegetation for those elements. Mineralization pulses are more frequent and occur on a different temporal scale in the pine plus deciduous communities also. Results are discussed in terms of their potential importance during ecosystem restoration/manipulation efforts that increase or decrease the presence of particular vegetation components within forest communities.
Citation
Lockaby, B.G.; Miller, J.H.; Clawson, R.G. 1995. Influences of community composition on biogeochemistry of loblolly pine (
Pinus taeda) systems. American Midland Naturalist. 134: 176-184.