ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Key words Decomposition rate
;
Forest
;
Organic matter characterization
;
Pastures
;
Particle-size fractions
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract In topsoils under forest and 7-, 12- and 17-year-old pastures, organic matter was characterized by analysing C and N distribution in particle-size fractions, the C decomposition rates of soil and particle-size fractions and by employing density-fractionation of macro-organic matter (〉150 μm). The C and N associated with clay fractions increased with increasing age of pasture. The weight (%) of macro-organic matter and its heavy fractions (〉1.37 g cm–3) also increased with increasing age of pasture. However, in a long-term incubation (100 days), these changes seemed to involve an increase in the C decomposition rate in the topsoil of the oldest pasture. Using the C decomposition rates of particle-size fractions, it appeared that silt and clay contributed differently to C decomposition in the whole soil. C associated with silt contributed to the C decomposition rate during the first 40 days of incubation, while C associated with clay contributed to C decomposition in the long-term incubation (after 40 days), especially when the clay fraction appeared to reach saturation point with respect to its ability to bind organic compounds and thus protect the soil from C loss.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050557
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