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Vertical variations in enzymatic activity and C:N:P stoichiometry in forest soils under the influence of different tree species
Abstract Tree species play a crucial role in shaping soil properties, significantly influencing nutrient cycling and ecological dynamics within forest ecosystems. In this comprehensive study, we examined the influence of tree species on soil chemistry especially on C/N/P stoichiometry and enzymatic activities across soil profiles. We analyzed soil samples beneath eight distinct tree species at three vertical horizons of soil: organic (O), humus mineral (A), and mineral enrichment (B) horizons. Our study involved detailed assessment of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents, along with the activities of key enzymes: β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and phosphatase. The study revealed pronounced vertical stratification in soil properties, significantly influenced by the tree species. General linear models (GLMs) highlighted differences in C: N:P stoichiometry and enzymatic activity across different soil horizons and among tree species. Enzymatic activity was strongly correlated with C, N and P content. The conducted research confirms the distinctiveness of coniferous and deciduous species in terms of C, N and P stoichiometry and the activity of the tested enzymes involved in the C, N and P circulation. These variations are indicative of the intricate interactions between tree species and soil processes. Our findings underscore the role of diversity of trees in modulating soil nutrient dynamics and enzyme-driven processes, which are crucial for understanding soil ecosystem functions and nutrient cycling. This study provides new insights into the role of tree species in shaping the soil environment, offering implications for forest management and conservation strategies. Taking into account the impact of individual tree species covered by the research on the soil, it is worth considering the cultivation of mixed stands.
Investigating Water Storage Dynamics in the Litter Layer: The Impact of Mixing and Decay of Pine Needles and Oak Leaves
Little is known about how the degree of mixing various forest-forming species affects forest floor hydrology. We evaluated the water storage capacity of the resulting litter layer by mixing the litterfall of Scots pine and sessile oak and studying their decomposition time. We prepared 90 artificial samples containing pure pine litter, pure oak litter, and mixed pine–oak litter with varying shares of pine needles. These samples were subjected to 15 months of decomposition in soil. After every three months of decay, some samples were removed from the soil, and their water storage capacity, bulk density, and C:N ratio were evaluated. Our findings indicate that samples with the greatest water storage capacity had a low C:N ratio and a predominant share of oak leaves. Conversely, samples with a high C:N ratio and a predominant share of pine needles had the lowest water storage capacity. After 12 and 15 months of decomposition, the water storage capacity increased by more than 52% compared to the initial water capacity of the samples. The highest increase in water storage capacity (>40%) was observed in samples with a predominant share of oak leaves, while the lowest (approximately 28%) was recorded in samples with 80 and 100% of pine needles. Our findings suggest that introducing mixed-species stands, with deciduous species as the predominant component, can yield several ecological benefits, such as an increased ability to store water in forest floor.