Article
Does tree species composition control soil organic carbon pools in Mediterranean mountain forests?
Forest Ecology and Management
(2011)
Abstract
We compared soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and stability under two widely distributed tree species in the Mediterranean region: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) at their ecotone. We hypothesised that soils under Scots pine store more SOC and that tree species composition controls the amount and biochemical composition of organic matter inputs, but does not influence physico-chemical stabilization of SOC. At three locations in Central Spain, we assessed SOC stocks in the forest floor and down to 50 cm in the mineral in pure and mixed stands of Pyrenean oak and Scots pine, as well as litterfall inputs over approximately 3 years at two sites. The relative SOC stability in the topsoil (0–10 cm) was determined through size-fractionation (53 μm) into mineral-associated and particulate organic matter and through KMnO4-reactive C and soil C:N ratio.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2011
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.02.004
Citation Information
Helga Van Miegroet. "Does tree species composition control soil organic carbon pools in Mediterranean mountain forests?" Forest Ecology and Management Vol. 262 Iss. 10 (2011) p. 1895 - 1904 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/helga_vanmiegroet/180/