Distribution of Ca, K, Mg, and P in acid forest soils in plantations of Picea abies - evidence of the base-pump effect

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of forest research Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 265 - 273
• Main Authors: Vejre, H, Hoppe, C. (Kgl. Veterinaer- og Landbohoejskole, Koebenhaven (Denmark). Kemisk Inst.)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 1998
• Subjects: ACID SOILS; base-pump effect; CALCIO; CALCIUM; DANEMARK; DENMARK; DINAMARCA; DISPONIBILIDAD DE NUTRIENTES; DISPONIBILITE D'ELEMENT NUTRITIF; FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO; FERTILITE DU SOL; FOREST PLANTATIONS; FOREST SOILS; FOSFORO; MAGNESIO; MAGNESIUM; MINERAL NUTRIENTS; Norway spruce; NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY; NUTRIENTES MINERALES; O horizon; PHOSPHORE; PHOSPHORUS; PICEA ABIES; PLANTACION FORESTAL; PLANTATION FORESTIERE; POTASIO; POTASSIUM; SANDY SOILS; SOIL FERTILITY; soil nutrients; SOL ACIDE; SOL DE FORET; SOL SABLEUX; SUBSTANCE NUTRITIVE MINERALE; SUELO ACIDO; SUELO ARENOSO; SUELO FORESTAL
• DOI: 10.1080/02827589809382984
• ISSN: 0282-7581

The vertical distribution of P, and exchangeable Ca, K, and Mg within the soil profile (up to 100 cm depth of the mineral soil) in 57 Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stands on sandy, acid soils in western Denmark is presented. The importance of the fraction of mineral nutrients found in the organic horizon is evaluated in particular. The O horizons play an important role for Ca. In half of the soils, more than 50% of the exchangeable Ca was found in the O horizon. Furthermore, large average proportions of exchangeable Mg (ca. 40%) and K (ca. 30%) were found in the O horizon. Phosphorus was quite evenly distributed in the mineral soil, but generally most P was extracted from depths below 50 cm. This vertical distribution pattern reflects the function of the "base pump" of forest ecosystems. In the short term, no substantial increase in the pools of available Ca, Mg and K can be expected due to increased rooting depth, as very minute amounts of exchangeable Ca, K and Mg were found in the deeper layers (70-100 cm).