Influence of forest age on forms of carbon in Douglas-fir soils in the Oregon Coast Range

Entry, James A. and Emmingham, William H. (1998) Influence of forest age on forms of carbon in Douglas-fir soils in the Oregon Coast Range. Canadian Journal of Forestry Research. 28(3):390-395.

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Abstract

The amount and type of carbon (C) in a forest soil reflects the past balance between C accumulation and loss. In an
old-growth forest soil, C is thought to be in dynamic equilibrium between accumulations and losses. Disturbance upsets this
equilibrium by altering the microclimate, the amount and type of vegetation growing on a site, and properties that affect
organic matter decomposition. We measured total C and forms of soil C in the L, F, and H layers and in the light fraction of
soil organic matter in the 0–10 cm of mineral soil in old-, second-, and young-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii
(Mirb.) Franco) soils in the Oregon Coast Range. Total C in L, F, and H layers and in organic material in the top 10 cm of
mineral soil in old-growth forests was higher than in young- or second-growth forests. Old-growth forests had a higher lignin
concentration and lower concentrations of sugar, hemicellulose, and cellulose in the L, F, and H layers and in the light fraction
of organic material than second- or young-growth forests. Old-growth forests had greater amounts of fats, waxes, and oils,
sugar, cellulose, and lignin, in the L, F, and H layers per square hectare and greater amounts of hemicellulose, cellulose, and
lignin in the light fraction of organic matter in the 0–10 cm of mineral soil per square hectare than young- and second-growth
forests. Concentrations of fats, waxes, and oils, sugar, and tannin in the light fraction of organic matter in the 0–10 cm of
mineral soil did not differ with forest age.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0985
Subjects:	Soil > Chemistry Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2008 18:22
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2016 16:02
Item ID:	711
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/711