Organic matter dynamics in four seasonally flooded forest communities of the Dismal Swamp

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · American Journal of Botany; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/2444456· OSTI ID:6898544

Megonigal, J P; Day, Jr, F P ^[1]

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1. Savannah River Ecology Lab., Aiken, SC (USA) Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA (USA)

Budgets of organic matter dynamics for plant communities of the Great Dismal Swamp were developed to summarize an extensive data base, determine patterns of biomass allocation, transfer and accumulation, and make comparisons with other forested wetlands. Above ground net primary production on the flooded sites (1,050-1,176 g m{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}) was significant greater than on a rarely flooded site (831 g m{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}). Estimates of below ground net primary production were comparable to above ground production on flooded sites (824-1,221 gm{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}). However, productivity was nearly three times greater below ground than above ground on the rarely flooded site (2,256 g m{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}). Above ground productivity in Dismal Swamp forests is relatively high compared to other forested wetlands. This is attributed to the timing and periodic nature of flood events. Fine root turnover is shown to be an important source of soil organic matter. Estimates indicate that roots contribute about 60% of the annual increment to soil organic matter. Leaf litter contributes 6-28% and wood debris contributes 5-15%. Comparisons with other forested wetlands suggest that detritus accounts for greater than half of the total organic matter (living + dead) in many wetland systems.

• OSTI ID: 6898544
• Journal Information: American Journal of Botany; (USA), Journal Name: American Journal of Botany; (USA) Vol. 75:9; ISSN 0002-9122; ISSN AJBOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540310* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (1990-)
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CHEMISTRY
DETRITUS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FOREST LITTER
FORESTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
MATERIALS
ORGANIC MATTER
PRODUCTIVITY
ROOTS
SOILS
WETLANDS