Humus buildup in boreal forests: effects of litter fall and its N concentration

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 988-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Berg ◽  
Charles McClaugherty ◽  
Amalia Virzo De Santo ◽  
Dale Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Measured Amount ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Using Data

This synthesis paper presents a model for estimating the buildup of soil organic matter in boreal deciduous and coniferous forests. A basic model was developed using data from a well-studied Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest (SWECON site) and based on limit values for litter decomposition and amounts of litter fall. A local validation gave a calculated humus accumulation that differed by 8% from the amount measured in the stand. This model was further validated using data for humus accumulated for 2984, 2081, and 1106 years, predicting an accumulation close to the measured amount, and for needle litter the missing fractions were 16, 17, and –6%, respectively, for the three groups. The limit value for litter decomposition is negatively related to the litter's initial N concentration; thus, N-rich litter should have a larger resistant fraction left than N poor. This relationship was validated using nine paired stands of monocultures: eight pairs of Scots pine and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and one pair of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). The measured amount of SOM was related to foliar litter fall and its N concentration. In all cases the more N-rich litter gave in all cases the more N-rich Norway spruce litter gave a significantly higher accumulation of humus for Norway spruce in spite of a higher litter fall for Scots pine. Also, red alder gave more SOM than Douglas-fir and in an expected relation to the litter N concentration. A consequence of this would be that C sinks of different efficiencies or capacities would tend to accumulate SOM at different rates.

Variation and genetics of ribonucleases and phosphodiesterases in conifer seeds

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mejnartowicz ◽  
F. Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Starch Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Endosperm Tissue ◽  
Isoenzyme Variation ◽  
Conifer Seeds ◽  
Starch Gel

Using techniques of starch gel electrophoresis, isoenzymes of ribonuclease 11 (RNase, EC 3.1.4.23) and phosphodiesterase I (PDase, EC 3.1.4.1) could be identified in endosperm tissue from dry seeds of three conifer species: Norway spruce (Picea abies). Scots pine (Pinus silvestris), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The RNase patterns mostly exhibited a relatively great number of isoenzyme bands as well as a considerable tree-to-tree variation, whereas the PDase system revealed only one enzyme zone in each of the three seed species. Furthermore, an isoenzyme variation within the PDase zones appeared to be very infrequent and could only be detected in Norway spruce and Douglas fir. However, the isoenzyme patterns of RNase as well as PDase showed significant differences between the conifer species. The genetic basis of the intraspecific isoenzyme variations could be easily analyzed, since the test material (seed endosperm) represented haploid tissues resulting from macrogametophytes after fertilization. Hence, it was possible to identify three polymorphic RNase gene loci in Douglas fir seeds, two in Scots pine seeds, and one in Norway spruce seeds. The PDase zone in each conifer species was controlled by one gene locus which revealed allelic forms only in Norway spruce and Douglas fir seeds.

Manganese dynamics in decomposing needle and leaf litter — a synthesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1127-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Berg ◽  
Björn Erhagen ◽  
Maj-Britt Johansson ◽  
Lars Vesterdal ◽  
Mikaeel Faituri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Deciduous Species ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Litter Mass ◽  
Litter Mass Loss ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Mn Concentration ◽  
Mn Concentrations

The aim of the present synthesis paper was to determine whether concentration changes and net release of manganese (Mn), as related to accumulated litter mass loss, are related to initial Mn concentration, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and tree genus or species. We also examined whether limit values for decomposition are related to initial litter Mn concentration, MAT, and MAP. We compiled 84 foliar litter decomposition studies, conducted mainly in boreal and temperate forest ecosystems, for which Mn dynamics had been well documented. Manganese concentration and amount were related to accumulated litter mass loss at each sampling time for each single study, as well as for (i) all studies combined (n = 748) and (ii) for species groups viz. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (n = 284), pine (Pinus) species (n = 330), and deciduous species (n = 214). The changes in Mn concentration with accumulated mass loss followed quadratic functions showing significantly higher Mn concentrations for Norway spruce vs. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (p < 0.0001) and vs. deciduous species (p < 0.01), as well as significantly higher for deciduous species vs. Scots pine (p < 0.0001). Manganese release rates were different among the three species groups (p < 0.001). Still, rates were related to initial Mn concentrations (p < 0.001) for all litter types combined and for the three species groups. Norway spruce released Mn more slowly than pine and deciduous species. Rates were related to climatic factors for litter of Norway spruce and deciduous species. Limit values for all litter and for pine species separately were related to Mn (p < 0.001) and MAT (p < 0.001). For Norway spruce, limit values were related to MAT (p < 0.001) and MAP (p < 0.01). It appears that Norway spruce litter retains Mn more strongly in the litter structure, producing humus richer in Mn than does litter of pine and deciduous species.

scholarly journals The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site Conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (-1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Feliksik ◽  
Sławomir Wilczyński
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Diameter Increment

The Effect of Climate on Tree-Ring Chronologies of Native and Nonnative Tree Species Growing Under Homogenous Site ConditionsDendroclimatic studies were carried out in the experimental stands composed of many tree species situated in the Polish part of the Baltic sea-coast. Increment cores were taken from a 100-years old trees of 2 native species: Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) and 3 nonnative species: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.) Franco), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis(Bong.) Carr.) and Silver fir (Abies albaMill.). Thirty trees of each species were cored. The relationships between the diameter increment and the thermal and pluvial conditions during the period from 1925 to 2005 were analyzed on the basis of standardized tree-ring chronologies and climatic data. It was found that precipitation and temperature of the growing season and months preceding that season affected the annual diameter increment of all investigated tree species. The current year winter and early spring temperatures as well as February and August precipitation had a similar effect on the variation of diameter increment of trees. On the other hand thermal and pluvial conditions of the current year June differentiated the increment rhythm of individual species. A very strong negative effect on diameter growth of trees was observed in the case of winter and early spring frosts. Norway spruce turned out to be a species most resistant to low temperatures. The investigated tree species, especially Norway spruce, was susceptible to water deficiency in the soil during spring and summer. In the case of Scots pine a high precipitation in June stimulated its growth. The diameter increments of Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Scots pine, and Silver fir were more strongly connected with air temperature than with precipitation. So called all-species chronology of tree-ring width, constructed during this study, permitted to verify the factors having a similar effect on growth response of the investigated tree species. It reflected the mutual characteristics of diameter increments of trees of various species.

Litter fall in some European coniferous forests as dependent on climate: a synthesis

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Berg ◽  
V Meentemeyer
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Climatic Parameters ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Needle Litter ◽  
Pinus Spp

Litter fall data was available for 64 sites in Europe, most of them in Fennoscandia. Included were 48 sites with pine (Pinus spp.), mainly Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and 16 sites with spruce (Picea spp.), mainly Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Regressions were calculated for needle and total litter fall against a set of climatic parameters, and the best simple relationships were obtained with annual actual evapotranspiration (AET) and other parameters including temperature, whereas for example, precipitation gave lower r values. For needle litter fall and AET using all data, the R2adj value was 0.635 (n = 64), and for needle litter for pine and spruce separately, the R2adj were 0.576 (n = 48) and 0.775 (n = 16), respectively. AET plus stand age gave highly significant relationships for both coniferous genera combined (R2adj = 0.683), and for pine and spruce separately the corresponding values were 0.655 and 0.843, respectively. Using all available data we found highly significant relationships between needle litter fall and total litter fall. For Fennoscandia, litter fall for Scots pine and Norway spruce were compared. AET versus needle litter fall gave highly significant relationships for Scots pine (R2adj = 0.448, n = 34) and for Norway spruce (R2adj = 0.678, n = 13); the relationships were significantly different from each other.

Interaction of Douglas-fir with red alder and salal foliage litter during decomposition

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Fyles ◽  
I.H. Fyles
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Red Alder ◽  
Ericaceous Shrub

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) foliage litter was incubated in the laboratory in 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100% mixtures with foliage litters from red alder (Alnusrubra Bong.), a nitrogen-fixing tree species, and salal (Gaultheriashallon Pursh) an ericaceous shrub. Mass loss and mineral nitrogen content were measured at eight dates during the 32-week incubation. The occurrence of interaction between litters, observed as deviation from a linear trend across mixtures at each date, was determined by polynomial contrasts. Douglas-fir–red alder mixtures decomposed faster than predicted by mass loss from pure litters throughout the study, apparently because of nitrogen mineralized by the red alder component. Douglas-fir–salal mixtures decomposed more slowly than predicted between 7 and 25 weeks. The study demonstrates the potential for litters to interact with positive or negative effects on decomposition rates and emphasizes the need to examine such interactions if litter decomposition in the field is to be understood.

scholarly journals Long-Term Effects of Climate and Litter Chemistry on Rates and Stable Fractions of Decomposing Scots Pine and Norway Spruce Needle Litter—A Synthesis

Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Björn Berg ◽  
Mikael Lönn
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Limit Values

We have reviewed information on early-, late- and limit-value decomposition stages for litter of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus silvestris). This synthesis covers c 16 studies/papers made along a climatic gradient; range in mean annual temperature (MAT) from −1 to +7 °C and mean annual precipitation (MAP) from 425 to 1070 mm. Scots pine has an early stage dominated by carbohydrate decomposition and a late stage dominated by decomposition of lignin; Norway spruce has just one stage dominated by lignin decomposition. We used data for annual mass loss to identify rate-regulating factors in both stages; climate data, namely, MAT and MAP, as well as substrate properties, namely, nitrogen (N), acid unhydrolyzable residue (AUR), manganese (Mn). Early-stage decomposition for Scots pine litter was dominated positively by MAT; the late stage was dominated negatively by MAT, N, and AUR, changing with decomposition stage; there was no effect of Mn. Norway spruce litter had no early stage; decomposition in the lignin-dominated stage was mainly negative to MAP, a negative relationship to AUR and non-significant relationships to N and MAT. Mn had a positive relationship. Limit values for decomposition, namely, the accumulated mass loss at which decomposition is calculated to be zero, were related positively to Mn and AUR for Scots pine litter and negatively to AUR for Norway spruce litter. With different sets of rate-regulating factors as well as different compounds/elements related to the limit values, the decomposition patterns or pathways are different.

scholarly journals Effects of brassinosteroid application on seed germination of Norway spruce, Scots pine, Douglas fir and English oak

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kuneš ◽  
M Baláš ◽  
R Linda ◽  
J Gallo ◽  
O Nováková
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
English Oak

Initial rates and limit values for decomposition of Scots pine and Norway spruce needle litter: a synthesis for N-fertilized forest stands

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Berg
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Simple Equation ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Needle Litter

Nitrogen fertilization increased concentrations of N, P, S, and K in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needle litter, and in those of N, S, and Ca in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Lignin concentrations increased for both species. Initial rates and limit values for decomposition were estimated using a simple equation. For Scots pine litter, initial rates ranged between 0.0618 and 0.2986%/day with P, K, N, and Mg being positively related, but lignin and Ca negatively related. For Norway spruce, initial rates were low (0.0455-0.1007%/day) and positively related with initial concentrations of water solubles, K, and P but negatively with N, Ca, and lignin. Limit values for Scots pine litter ranged from 53.1 to 94.3% decomposition in fertilized plots and from 71.5 to 93.2% in controls. They were negatively related to N concentrations and positively to Mn and Ca. Limit values for Norway spruce litter ranged from 53.8 to 74.3% in controls and from 48 to 71.3% in fertilized plots and were positively correlated to Mn and Ca but not to N. The paper concludes that N fertilization will increase the fraction of Scots pine litter that accumulates as humus but not for Norway spruce.

scholarly journals Growth Responses of Boreal Scots Pine, Norway Spruce and Silver Birch Seedlings to Simulated Climate Warming over Three Growing Seasons in a Controlled Field Experiment

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 943
Author(s):  
Katri Nissinen ◽  
Virpi Virjamo ◽  
Antti Kilpeläinen ◽  
Veli-Pekka Ikonen ◽  
Laura Pikkarainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Silver Birch ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Simulated Climate ◽  
Shoot And Root Biomass

We studied the growth responses of boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings to simulated climate warming of an average of 1.3 °C over the growing season in a controlled field experiment in central Finland. We had six replicate plots for elevated and ambient temperature for each tree species. The warming treatment lasted for the conifers for three growing seasons and for the birch two growing seasons. We measured the height and diameter growth of all the seedlings weekly during the growing season. The shoot and root biomass and their ratios were measured annually in one-third of seedlings harvested from each plot in autumn. After two growing seasons, the height, diameter and shoot biomass were 45%, 19% and 41% larger in silver birch seedlings under the warming treatment, but the root biomass was clearly less affected. After three growing seasons, the height, diameter, shoot and root biomass were under a warming treatment 39, 47, 189 and 113% greater in Scots pine, but the root:shoot ratio 29% lower, respectively. The corresponding responses of Norway spruce to warming were clearly smaller (e.g., shoot biomass 46% higher under a warming treatment). As a comparison, the relative response of height growth in silver birch was after two growing seasons equal to that measured in Scots pine after three growing seasons. Based on our findings, especially silver birch seedlings, but also Scots pine seedlings benefitted from warming, which should be taken into account in forest regeneration in the future.

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