Abstract
Prior to timber harvesting, forest floor mass and nutrient concentrations in forest floor and mineral soil were determined in 24 mature, shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.)-hardwood stands occurring within the northern, eastern, southern and western sub-ecoregions of the Ouachita Mountains. The forest floor samples were collected at each of three locations representing the lower, mid, and upper slope positions within each stand. Samples of the L-(litter) and F-layers (fermentation) were collected separately. Materials from the L-layer were differentiated into hardwood foliage, pine foliage, and woody/reproductive components. Mass and nutrient concentrations of the various forest floor components were compared among slope positions and among sub-ecoregions to evaluate the influence of these factors on forest floor pools. Forest floor mass and nutrient concentrations generally did not differ among slope positions. Although mass did not differ among sub-ecoregions, forest floor concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Mn were significantly higher in the northern than the eastern or southern portion of the Ouachita Mountains.
Recommended Citation
Liechty, Hal O.; Shelton, Michael G.; and Lawson, Edwin R.
(1997)
"Variability in Forest Floor Mass and Nutrient Concentration of Mature Pine-Hardwoods in the Ouachita Mountains,"
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 51, Article 18.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol51/iss1/18
