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Aspect and species influences on nitrogen and phoshorus availability in Arizona chaparral soils
- Abstract::
- Biota and topography are among the most important factors affecting nutrient status of wildland soils. Knowledge of these relations has a fundamental bearing on management of chaparral ecosystems. This study was conducted to determine the effect of shrub species and topographic aspect on availability of soil N and P in Arizona chaparral soils. Soil was collected under the canopy of 32 randomly selected shrubs, eight each of birchleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides Nutt.) and shrub live oak (Quercus turbinella Greene) from both north and south aspects. A pot culture technique, using barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. gustoe) and mountain mahogany (C. montanus Torr.) as test plants, was used to estimate availability of soil N and P. Both test plants showed that shrub species and aspect influenced nutrient availability. Availability of P was very low, while that of N was quite high. Lower availability of P in soils from southerly aspects was associated with low amounts of total soil P, probably the result of long-standing differential erosion between north and south aspects, aggravated by fire. High N availability was probably associated with inputs of N via symbiosis between actinomycetes and mountain mahogany. Higher fertility of soils from oak systems is associated with lower lignin content of litter from these shrubs.
- Author(s):
-
Klemmedson, J.O. , Wienhold, B.J.
- Subject(s):
-
chaparral , chaparral soils , nitrogen , phosphorus , nutrient availability , Cercocarpus betuloides , Quercus turbinella , Hordeum vulgare , Cercocarpus montanus , indicator species , soil fertility , dry matter accumulation , soil erosion , losses from soil , biodegradation , leaves , nitrogen fixation , mutualism , land productivity , container-grown plants , plant litter , ecological balance , fires , species differences , organisms , Arizona
- Description:
- Includes references.
- Source:
- Soil Science Society of America journal Nov/Dec 1991. v. 55 (6)
- Language:
- English
- Year:
- 1991
- Collection:
-
Journal Articles, USDA Authors, Peer-Reviewed
- File:
-
Download [PDF]
- Rights:
- Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
