Internal element cycles of an old-growth Douglas-fir ecosystem in western Oregon

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Ecol. Monogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/2937252· OSTI ID:6094141

Sollins, P; Grier, C C; McCorison, F M; Cromack, K Jr; Fogel, R; Fedriksen, R L

Information on primary production, decomposition, hydrology, and element cycling was intergrated in annual budgets of accumulation and flux among components of a mature Douglas-fir forest ecosystem. Annual N input in precipitation and dust was 2.0 kg/ha, and an estimated 2.8 kg/ha were fixed by cyanophycophilous lichens in the canopy. Annual N loss to groundwater was 1.5 kg/ha. Microparticulate litterfall provided a large input of N to the forest floor. Total annual loss to ground water was 9400 eq/ha and, because of little cation accumulation, loss exactly balanced input. Net transfers of P were small. Total annual input was 0.5 kg/ha, total loss was 0.7 kg/ha, and net accumulation was -0.2 kg/ha. Input of elements in precipitation and dryfall was small compared with that in the Eastern United States. Water chemistry profiles showed that the biologically important elements N, P, and K increased in concentration as water passed through the canopy and litter layer but decreased as water passed through the rooted part of the mineral soil. In contrast, Na increased by a factor of 20 as water passed through the rooted soil. Concentrations of all elements except Mg were lower in the stream water than in solution at 2.0-m depth in the subsoil. Total return to the forest floor in litterfall was greater than that reported for other Douglas-fir stands mainly because of plentiful microparticulate forms and coarse woody debris. Leaf fall accounted for less than half of the total litterfall input of N to the forest floor. Fluxes of hydrogen ions (H/sup +/) resulting from water flow were negligible compared with H/sup +/ release during carbonic acid dissociation and H/sup +/ removal accompanying cation release in weathering. Uptake of metalic cations by vegetation and release during decomposition exceeded uptake and release of sulfur and phophorus anions, resulting in a net H/sup +/ flux of approximately 1 x 10/sup 3/ eq x ha/yr.

• OSTI ID: 6094141
• Journal Information: Ecol. Monogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Ecol. Monogr.; (United States) Vol. 50:3; ISSN ECMOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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