Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On variation in forest floor thickness across four red pine plantations in Pennsylvania, USA

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We studied variation in forest floor thickness in four plantations of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) which were similar in age, soil type and associated vegetation. The plantations were located (west to east) in the Clear Creek, Moshannon, Sproul and Tiadaghton State Forests of Pennsylvania, USA. A gradient in forest floor thickness exists across these plantations; the forest floor is thickest in the west and it becomes progressively thinner toward the east. Decomposition of imported litter increased from west to east, suggesting that the variation in forest floor thickness is related to variation in the rate of decomposition. Decomposition rates were related to saprotroph abundance. Variation in forest floor N and phenolic concentrations, in overall mycorrhiza density and in the relative proportions of three common mycorrhiza morphotypes could not explain the variation in decomposition rate. The P concentrations and pH of the forest floor were significantly lower at Clear Creek and Moshannon, where decomposition rates were lowest, compared to Sproul and Tiadaghton, where decomposition rates were most rapid. This suggests that P concentration and pH may have exerted some control on decomposition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abuzinadah R A and Read D J 1986 The role of proteins in the nitrogen nutrition of ectomycorrhizal plants. I. Utilization of peptides and proteins by ectomycorrhizal fungi. New Phytol. 103, 481–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antibus R K, Sinsabaugh R L and Linkins A E 1992 Phosphatase activities and phosphorus uptake from inositol phosphate by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Can. J. Bot. 70, 794–801.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnolds E 1991 Decline of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Europe. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 35, 209–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bååth E, Berg B, Lohm U, Lundgren B, Lundkvist H, Rosswall T, Söderström B and Wirén A 1980 Effects of experimental acidification and liming on soil organisms and decomposition in a Scots pine forest. Pedobiol. 20, 85–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bending G D and Read D J 1997 Lignin and soluble phenolic degradation by ectomycorrhizal and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Mycol. Res. 101, 1348–1354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benoit R E and Starkey R L 1968 Inhibition of decomposition of cellulose and some other carbohydrates by tannin. Soil Sci. 105, 291–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B 1986 The influence of experimental acidification on nutrient release and decomposition rates of needle and root litter in the forest floor. For. Ecol. Manag. 15, 195–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, Lohm U, Lundkivst H and Wiren A 1980 Influence of soil animals on decomposition of Scots pine needle litter. Ecol. Bull. 32, 401–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, Wesen B and Ekbohm G 1982 Nitrogen level and decomposition in Scots pine needle litter. Oikos 38, 291–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bewley R J F and Parkinson D 1986 Sensitivity of certain microbial processes to acid deposition. Pedobiol. 29, 73–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady N C 1974 The Nature and Properties of Soils, 8th edn, MacMillan, New York, USA, 639 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadhurst R B and Jones WT 1978 Analysis of condensed tannins using acidified vanillin. J. Sci. Food Agric. 29, 788–794.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairney J W G and Burke R M 1994 Fungal enzymes degrading plant cell walls, their possible significance in the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. Mycol. Res. 12, 1345–1356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cebrián J and Duarte C M 1995 Plant growth-rate dependence of detrital carbon storage in ecosystems. Science 268, 1606–1608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciolkosz E J, Parizek R R, Peterson GW, Cunningham R L, Gardner T W, Hatch J W and Shipman R D 1980 Soils and Geology of Nittany Valley. Agronomy Series No 64 Agronomy Department, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciolkosz E J, Waltman WJ, Simpson TW and Dobos R R 1989 Distribution and genesis of soils of the northeastern United States. Geomorph. 2, 285–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotrufo M F, Raschi A, Lanini M and Ineson P 1999 Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of Quercus pubescens leaf litter in a naturally enriched CO2 Mediterranean ecosystem. Funct. Ecol. 13, 343–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis D D, Skelly J M, Lynch J A and McClenahen J 1990 Final report for the eastern hardwood research cooperative of the forest response program of the national acid precipitation assessment program. Measurement of forest condition and response along the Pennsylvania atmospheric deposition gradient. Tracking no. ED04, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dighton J 1983 Phosphatase production by mycorrhizal fungi Plant Soil 71, 455–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dighton J E, Thomas D and Latter P M 1987 Interactions between tree roots, mycorrhizas, a saprotrophic fungus and the decomposition of organic substrates in a microcosm. Biol. Fertil. Soils 4, 145–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyck W J, Mees C A and Hodgkiss P D 1987 Nitrogen availability and comparison to uptake in two New Zealand Pinus radiata forests. N. Z. J. For. Sci. 17, 338–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenfeld J G, Parsons W F J, Han X, Parmelee R W and Zhu W 1997 Live and dead roots in forest soil horizons, contrasting effects on nitrogen dynamics. Ecology 78, 348–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enríquez S, Duarte C M and Sand-Jensen K 1993 Patterns in decomposition rates among photosynthetic organisms: the importance of detritus C:N:P content. Oecologia 94, 457–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Facelli J M and Pickett S T A 1991 Plant litter, its dynamics and effects on plant community structure. Bot. Rev. 57, 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadgil R L and Gadgil P D 1975 Suppression of litter decomposition by mycorrhizal roots of Pinus radiata N. Z. J. For. Sci. 5, 33–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo A and Merino J 1992 Nitrogen immobilization in leaf litter at two Mediterranean ecosystems of SW Spain. Biogeochem. 15, 213–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giltrap N J 1982 Production of polyphenol oxidases by ectomycorrhizal fungi with special reference to Lactarius spp. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 78, 75–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez K A and Gomez A A 1984 Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research, 2nd edn. John Wiley, New York, NY, USA. 680 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosz J R 1981 Nitrogen cycling in coniferous ecosystems. Ecol. Bull. 33, 405–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosz J R 1984 Biological factors influencing nutrient supply in forest soils. In Nutrition of Plantation Forests. Ed. G D Bowen and E K S Nambiar. pp 119–146. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hach 1992 Water Analysis Handbook. Hach Company, Loveland, CO, USA. 831 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hågvar S and Abrahamson G 1980 Colonization by Enchytraeidae, Collembola and Acari in sterile soil samples with adjusted pH levels. Oikos 43, 245–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey A E, Larsen M J and Jurgensen M F 1976 Distribution of ectomycorrhizae in a mature Douglas fir/Larch forest soil in western Montana. For. Sci. 22, 393–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen WA 1962 Botanical Histochemistry Principles and Practice. Freeman, San Francisco, CA, USA. 408 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killham K and Wainwright M 1981 Deciduous leaf litter and cellulose decomposition in soil exposed to heavy atmospheric pollution. Environ. Pollut. 26, 79–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb D 1976 Decomposition of organic matter on the forest floor of Pinus radiata plantations. J. Soil Sci. 27, 206–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren A L and Dolid WA 1970 Biological growth functions describe published site index curves for Lake States timber species. USDA Forest Service Research Paper NC 36, US Department of Agriculture.

  • Lynch J A, Corbett E S and Rishel G 1985 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1984. Institute for Research on Land and Water Resources, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Corbett E S and Kostelnik K M 1986 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1985. Institute for Research on Land and Water Resources, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Corbett E S and Kostelnik K M 1987 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1986. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Corbett E S and Grimm J W 1988 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1987. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1989 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1988. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1990 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1989. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1991 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1990. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Horner K S, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1992 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1991. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Horner K S, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1993 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1992. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Horner K S, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1994 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1993. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch J A, Horner K S, Grimm J W and Corbett E S 1995 Atmospheric deposition, spatial and temporal variation in Pennsylvania 1994. Environmental Resources Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrill P H 1981 Roosevelt's Forest Army, A History of the Civilian Conservation Corps 1933-1942. Published by Perry H Merrill, Montpelier, VT, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moloney K A, Stratton L J and Klein R M 1983 Effects of simulated acidic metal-containing precipitation on coniferous litter decomposition. Can. J. Bot. 61, 3337–3342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newall K 1984 Interaction between two decomposer basidiomycetes and a collembolan under Sitka Spruce, grazing and its potential effects on fungal distribution and litter decomposition. Soil. Biol. Biochem. 16, 235–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newsham K, Boddy K L, Frankland J C and Ineson P 1992 Effects of dry-deposited sulphur dioxide on fungal decomposition of angiosperm tree leaf litter. III. Decomposition rates and fungal respiration. New Phytol. 122, 127–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northrup R R, Yu Z, Dahlgren R A and Vogt K A 1995 Polyphenol control of nitrogen release from pine litter. Nature 377, 227–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson T and Wirén A 1993 Effects of experimental acidification on C and N mineralization in forest soils. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 47, 159–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott C E and Parkinson D 1985 Effects of sulphur pollution on rates of litter decomposition in a pine forest. Can. J. Bot. 63, 1436–1443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramstedt M and Soderhall K 1983 Protease phenoloxidase and pectinase activities in mycorrhizal fungi. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 81, 157–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy M V and Venkataiah B 1989 Influence of microarthropod abundance and climatic factors on weight loss and mineral nutrient contents of Eucalyptus leaf litter during decomposition. Biol. Fertil. Soils 8, 319–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Read D J 1991 Mycorrhizas in ecosystems. Experientia 47, 376–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Setälä H 1995 Growth of birch and pine seedlings in relation to grazing by soil fauna on ectomycorrhizal fungi. Ecology 76, 1844–1851.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider B U, Meyer J, Schulze E-D and Zech W 1989 Root and mycorrhizal development in healthy and declining Norway Spruce stands. In Forest Decline and Air Pollution. A Study of Spruce (Picea abies) on Acid Soils. Eds E-D Schulze, O L Lange and R Oren, pp 370–391. Ecological Studies 77, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E and Read D J 1997 Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, 2nd edn. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA. 605 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staaf H 1988 Litter decomposition in beech forests - effects of excluding tree roots. Biol. Fertil. Soils 6, 302–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • STSC 1991 Statgraphics Statistical Graphics System Version 5, STSC Inc., Rockville, MD, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift M J, Heal O W and Anderson J M 1979 Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, USA. 372 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe F S and Olsen S R 1965 Test of an ascorbic acid method for determining phosphorus in water and NaHCO3 extracts from soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Proc. 29, 677–678.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolters V 1991 Effects of acid rain on leaf-litter decomposition in a beech forest on calcareous soil. Biol. Fertil. Soils 11, 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar J H 1996 Biostatistical Analysis, 3rd edn. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA. 662 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu W and Ehrenfeld J G 1996 The effects of mycorrhizal roots on litter decomposition soil biota and nutrients in a spodosolic soil. Plant Soil 179, 109–118.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Roger T. Koide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Durland L. Shumway
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koide, R.T., Shumway, D.L. On variation in forest floor thickness across four red pine plantations in Pennsylvania, USA. Plant and Soil 219, 57–69 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004748220856

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004748220856

Search

Navigation