Base Saturation, Nutrient Cation, and Organic Matter Increases during EarlyPedogenesis on Landslide Scars in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

摘要

We evaluate data from a chronosequence study of landslide scars, ranging in agefrom 1-55 + yr, in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF) a subtropical lower montane wet forest (sensu Holdridge) in eastern Puerto Rico. Our data show that when initial conditions are oligotrophic, both nutrient cation pools and base saturation index (BSI) values can increase in the surface mineral soil during early pedogenesis. We discuss exogenic litter input, substrate weathering, and precipitation as potential sources for nutrient cations in these soils. We further suggest that production and decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is the dominant process controlling capture, retention and intra-ecosystem cycling of nutrient cations in these forests.