Effect of litter fall on soil nutrient content and pH, and its consequences in view of climate change (Síkfőkút DIRT Project)

摘要

udIn the DIRT (udDetritus Input and Removal Treatmentud) field experiments established at theudSíkfudőudkút Site (North Hungary) in October 2000, an experiudment was initiated to study the long-termudeffects of litter quality and quantity on pH and nuudtrient content (organic carbon, N forms, POud4ud3–ud, Kud+ud,udMgud2+ud, Caud2+ud) of soil in audQuercetum petraeae-cerrisudforest. An eight-year litter manipulationuddemonstrated a close connectionudbetween the changes in pH and Mgud2+udand Caud2+udconcentration. Theuddecline of litter production, the decrease of the sudoil pH due to lower Mgud2+udand Caud2+udinput lead toudconsequent reduction of soil buffering capacity. Thude acidification interferes with the decompositionudprocess of litter and humus compounds. Our resultsudsuggest decreases in organic matter content, totaludN, Caud2+udand Mgud2+udconcentrations in the soil as a consequence of decudline in forest litter productionudinduced by climate change and a resulting degradatiudon of the soil over a longer period