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Weight Loss and Nutrient Dynamics during Leaf Litter Decomposition of Quercus variabilis and Pinus densiflora at Mt. Worak National Park

Journal of Ecology and Environment / Journal of Ecology and Environment, (P)2287-8327; (E)2288-1220
2008, v.31 no.4, pp.291-295



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Abstract

Weight loss and nutrient dynamics of oak and pine leaf litter during decomposition were investigated from December 2005 through June 2008 at Mt. Worak National Park as a part of National Long-Term Ecological Research Program in Korea. The decay constant (k) of oak and pine leaf litter were 0.314 and 0.217, respectively. After 30 months decomposition, remaining weight of oak and pine leaf litter was 45.5% and 58.1%, respectively. Initial C/N ratio of oak and pine leaf litter was 53.4 and 153.0, respectively. Carbon % of initial oak and pine leaf litter was similar with each other; however, nitrogen content of initial oak leaf litter (0.85%) was greater than that of initial pine leaf litter (0.33%). N and P concentration in both decomposing leaf litter increased significantly during decomposition. There was no net N and P mineralization period in decomposing pine leaf litter. K, Ca and Mg concentration in both decomposing leaf litter showed different pattern with those of N and P. After 30 months decomposition, remaining nutrients in oak and pine leaf litter were 97.7 and 216.2% for N, 123.2 and 216.5% for P, 39.3 and 44.8% for K, 47.9 and 40.6% for Ca, 30.7 and 51.2% for Mg, respectively.

keywords
C/N ratio, Decay constant, Immobilization, Litter decomposition, Mineralization

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Journal of Ecology and Environment