Characteristics of organic matter in soil surface horizons derived from calcareous and metamorphic rocks and different vegetation types from the Mediterranean high-mountains in SE Spain

A study was carried out on some basic characteristics of the organic matter in the surface horizons of soils from the two different geological (calcareous and acid metamorphic rocks) and ecological systems under a Mediterranean climate in Southeast Spain. The results show some noticeable differences in soil organic matter composition. This is likely due to typical Mediterranean climate and well adapted vegetation. There is a tendency towards a greater stability for the soil humus formed under slightly alkaline soil in comparison to the slightly acidic environment. The samples taken from the latter environment have a higher content in free organic matter, a lower content in total extractable humin and a greater relative proportion of aliphatic chains and lignin in the humic acids. The results also suggest some differences caused by the type of vegetation (forest and scrubland ecosystems) in the soil humus chemistry, with a more obvious negative effect under reforestations with species of Pinus in an acidic soil environment (a higher content in free organic matter, lesser presence of fungal-derived perylenequinonic pigments in the humic acids, and a higher content in little evolved forms of nitrogen and lignin in the humic acids). In general the organic matter under scrubland and Quercus vegetation is more decomposed and the humus is more evolved than under Pinus vegetation.     

Carbon pools and fluxes of 25-year old coniferous and deciduous stands in middle Siberia

Between 72 and 88% of carbon (C) loss in forest litter decomposition returns to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide. The share of water-soluble organic products does not exceed 3–4%. Between 8% under spruce and 25% under aspen and pine of the total C loss from litter organic matter goes to the formation of humus. Decomposition intensity of the dead organic matter on the soil surface is close to annual litterfall income (except under cedar). The specific rate of decomposition processes among the coniferous litters is minimum for cedar (167 mgC g^?1yr^?1) and maximum for larch (249 mg C g^?1 yr^?1). The specific rate of decomposition of organic residues under aspen and birch canopies are 344 and 362 mg C g^?1yr^?1.     

卧龙自然保护区森林土壤有机质的研究

研究了四川卧龙自然保护区不同海拔高度的五种植被(常绿阔叶林、落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林、暗针叶林和高山草甸)下的土壤中有机质的含量、组成和性质。主要结果如下。1.各土壤虽然生物气候条件差异悬殊,但其腐殖质均属于富里酸型。2.落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林和暗针叶林下的粗腐殖质也属于富里酸型;红外和紫外光谱说明,它们和“成熟的”腐殖酸有明显的不同。3.土壤有机质含量与土壤物理性质和速效性养分含量有密切的关系。     

不同植被类型紫色土腐殖质的剖面分布特征

[目的]研究龙川江流域6种不同植被类型对紫色土腐殖质(胡敏酸、富里酸、胡敏素)和土壤养分(总磷、速效磷、总氮、碱解氮)剖面分布特征的影响,为该地区保持土壤肥力提供科学依据。[方法]采用锯齿形布点法,采集紫色土表层至30 cm深度的3个土层紫色土样品,用3次4分法分离多余样品,并测定相应指标。[结果]总磷、速效磷、总氮、碱解氮的含量和腐殖质、胡敏素、胡敏酸、富里酸碳量随土壤深度的增加而减小,枯枝落叶层显著高于其他层(地下0—10,10—20,20—30 cm),不同植被类型土壤无显著差异。果园土壤腐殖质及其组成显著高于桉树林覆盖土壤,表现为果园落叶阔叶林暖温性针叶林针阔混交林灌丛桉树林。土壤腐殖质各组分之间均存在极显著正相关关系,腐殖质组成与土壤有机质、总磷、速效磷、总氮、碱解氮均存在显著正相关关系。[结论]果园和落叶阔叶林下土壤腐殖质及其组分显著高于其他植被类型土壤,腐殖质组分含量与土壤理化性质之间呈极显著正相关。     

Adsorption complex,pH relationships in some acid mediterranean forest soil profiles

Acid soils in some mediterranean forests were investigated for the composition of the adsorption complex and the gradients in soil pH. The effective CEC (235–838 mmol_c kg^?1) and base saturation (93–98 %) are highest in ectorganic horizons. In the mineral horizons the effective CEC (23–52 mmol_c kg^?1) and base saturation (11–40 %) are much lower. The exchange complex of mineral horizons consists for 90 (AEh) to 40 percent (Bw2) of organic matter. The effective CEC of the mineral clay fraction is low (60 mmol_c kg^?1 clay). The clear trends in soil pH within the ectorganic layer of deciduous and sclerophyllous oak forests are attributed to vertical spatial separation of nitrogen mineralization (ammonification and strongly impeded nitrification) and nutrient uptake by roots (mainly NH₄). This leads to a high effective CEC in the fermentation layer and acidification of the uppermost part of the mineral soil. In contrast to the situation in temperate forests this process is impeded in mediterranean coniferous forests, where litter decomposition is extremely slow and both proton production and consumption take place in the organic rich mineral horizon.     

Analysis of the soil organic matter stability in spruce forests of Krkonose in Czechia on the basis of the ROMUL mathematical model

Computational experiments with the ROMUL mathematical model were performed for studying the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) in spruce forests of northeastern Czechia that were disturbed because of the atmospheric sulfur deposition in the second half of the 20th century. The effect of the soil acidification on the decomposition dynamics of the forest die-back in the model is of importance. Conditions of the forest productivity were found under which the SOM pool could be preserved. It was shown that, later on, the content of the litter will decrease because of the forest degradation, and the succession changes due to the effect of the contamination will affect the type of vegetation, as well as the type of soil organic matter. The total SOM content will decrease in this case. However, the maintenance of the grass productivity can slow down this process. It was noted that the quantitative prediction of the SOM dynamics requires measurements of the productivity parameters of the forest as a whole and the living ground cover, including the content of root litter, and the hydrothermal regime of the soil determining the transformation of the litter and humus.     

Organic matter transformation and porosity development in non-reclaimed mining soils of different ages and vegetation covers: a field study of soils of the zinc and lead ore area in SE Poland

Purpose

Plant residue decomposition, porosity status and biological activity in heavily polluted with Zn, Pb and Cd post-mining soils were investigated in relation to natural soil in the area. The study was carried out on soils from different ages and vegetation cover. This work aimed at studying the influence of heavy metal concentration on the humus layer formation with the help of micromorphological methods.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from 5 sites situated in the Zn and Pb mining area and from one site located in the vicinity but unchanged by mining works. In each site, a representative area of about 100 m² was selected and soil samples from 5 randomly selected plots were taken from surface and subsurface layers. Chemical, micromorphological and biological analyses were conducted in order to evaluate humus transformations occurring in studied soils and to establish the main factors affecting these processes. In images taken from thin sections, we separated and measured areas covered by decomposed organic matter, plant residues and pores.

Results and discussion

Mine soils had similar pH soil values (6.7–7.1); only one natural soil was moderately acid (pH = 5.6). The soils differed in SOM content, from 30.84 to 168 g kg^?1. Mine soils were contaminated with heavy metals up to 10,980 mg Zn, 5436 mg Pb and 95.2 mg Cd·kg^?1. The largest amount of the medium-sized and large plant residues (18.4 and 20.5%) were found in post-mining soil covered with xerothermic flora typical of metalliferous areas. The lowest amount of small residues was found in post-mining forest soil. The diversified accumulation of plant residues reflected the organic matter decomposition ratio varying from 1.64 (post-mining soil 15% covered with calamine flora) to 62.7% (natural soil covered with forest). In the natural soil, rounded pores prevailed, while in post-mining soils, planar pores dominated. Invertase activity ranged from 1.64 to 154.2 mg of inverted sugar, and carbon of microbial biomass ranged from 5.94 to 731.2 μg g^?1. Both characteristics were related to the amount of organic matter regardless of the heavy-metal pollution.

Conclusions

The results showed that a decomposition ratio was lower in mining soils than in the natural soil, and large plant residues were accumulated in surface layers. Microbial activity was more influenced by plant cover density and diversity than by heavy metal concentration. The evolution in the organic matter form and pore shapes with the soil age and the vegetation cover was observed.

     

Spatial-temporal dynamics of organic carbon in soddy-podzolic soils of postagrogenic biogeocenoses

The organic carbon content in developed soddy-podzolic soils increased during the overgrowing of abandoned plowland with meadow and forest vegetation. The highest carbon content was recorded at the stage of 40–50-year-old forest, which was related to the largest input of organic matter into the soil and the intense litter decomposition during this period. A decrease in the soil carbon content was observed during the development of forest vegetation on the long-term hayfields in place of the former croplands, because the humus content in the lower part of the old-arable horizon decreased significantly. The spatial variability in the distribution of organic carbon in the soils increased with the development of forest biogeocenoses.     

Coarse particulate organic matter is the primary source of mineral N in the topsoil of three beech forests

Forest soils contain a variable amount of organic N roughly repartitioned among particles of different size, microbial biomass and associated with mineral compounds. All pools are alimented by annual litter fall as main input of organic N to the forest floor. Litter N is further subject to mineralization/stabilization recognized as the crucial process for the turnover of litter N. Although it is well documented that different soil types have different soil N stocks, it is presently unknown how different soil types affect the turnover of recent litter N. Here, we compared the potential mineralization of the total soil organic N with that of recent litter-released N in three beech forests varying in their soil properties. Highly ¹⁵N-labelled beech litter was applied to stands located at Aubure, Ebrach, Collelongo, which differ in humus type, soil type and soil chemistry. After 4-5 years of litter decomposition, the upper 3 cm of the organo-mineral A horizon was sampled and the net N mineralization was measured over 112 days under controlled conditions. The origin of mineralized N (litter N versus soil organic N) was calculated using ¹⁵N labeling. In addition, soils were fractionated according to their particle size (>2000 μm, 200-2000 μm, 50-200 μm, <50 μm) and particulate organic matter (POM) was separated from the mineral fraction in size classes, except the <50 μm fraction. Between 41 and 69% of soil organic N was recovered as POM. Litter-released ¹⁵N was mainly to be found in the coarse POM fractions >200 μm. On a soil mass basis, N mineralization was two-fold higher at Aubure and Collelongo than at Ebrach, but, on a soil N basis, N mineralization was the lowest at Collelongo and the highest at Ebrach. On a soil N (or ¹⁵N) basis, mineralization of litter ¹⁵N was two to four-fold higher than mineralization of the average soil N. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of the mineral N produced was closer to that of POM than to that of the mineral-bound fraction (<50 μm). Highest rates of ¹⁵N mineralization happened in the soil with the lowest N content, and we found a negative relationship between accumulations of N in the upper A horizon and the mineralization of ¹⁵N from the litter. Our results show that mineral N is preferentially mineralized from POM in the upper organo-mineral soil irrespective of the soil chemistry and that the turnover rate of litter N is faster in soils with a low N content.     

Changes in soil organic matter and net nitrogen mineralization in heathland soils,after removal,addition or replacement of litter from Erica tetralix or Molinia caerulea

Summary The effects of different litter input rates and of different types of litter on soil organic matter accumulation and net N mineralization were investigated in plant communities dominated by Erica tetralix L. or Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench. Plots in which the litter on the soil had repeatedly been removed were compared with plots in the same plant community in which litter had been added to the soil. In another treatment, litter was removed and replaced by litter from the other plant community. Net N mineralization was measured in situ after 5 years. Less soil organic matter and soil N was found in plots in which litter had been removed, compared with control plots, or plots to which litter had been added, but these differences were significant for the Erica sp. soils only. Plots in which litter had been replaced and control plots did not differ significantly in the amount of soil organic matter. However, in both plant communities, the differences agreed with the faster decomposition rate of Molinia sp. litter compared with Erica sp. litter. The gravimetric soil moisture content was correlated positively with the amount of soil organic matter, both in the Erica sp. soils and the Molinia sp. soils. Net N mineralization rates (g N m^-2) differed significantly between treatments for Erica sp. soils but no for Molinia sp. soils. For Erica sp. soils, net N mineralization rates increased with increasing amounts of soil organic matter and soil N. Replacing the litter with Molinia sp. litter (which differs in chemical composition) had no clear additional effect on the net N mineralization rate.     

The intensity of organic matter decomposition in gray soils of forest ecosystems in the southern taiga of Central Siberia

The estimates of the carbon pool in the organic matter of gray soils of the southern taiga, the intensity of destruction of its components, and participation of the latter in the formation of the mineralized carbon flux to the atmosphere are presented for different stages of succession of deciduous (birch) and coniferous (fir) forests. The carbon pool varies from 139.7 to 292.7 t/ha. It is distributed between phytodetritus, mobile and stabile humus (32, 19, and 49%, respectively). The intensity of the mineralization carbon flux to the atmosphere amounts to 3.93–4.13 t C per year. Phytodetritus plays the main role in the formation of this flux. In the soils under the forests studied, 4–6% of the carbon flux are formed owing to mineralization of the newly formed soil humus. In birch forests, 2–6% (0.1–0.2% of the humus pool in the 0–20-cm layer) is the contribution to the flux due to mineralization of soil humus. In fir forests, the mineralized humus is compensated by humus substances synthesized in the process of humification during phytodetritus decomposition.     

Dynamics and stratification of bacteria and fungi in the organic layers of a scots pine forest soil

The abundance and micro-stratification of bacteria and fungi inhabiting the organic layers of a Scots pine forest (Pinus sylvestris L.) were investigated. An experiment using stratified litterbags, containing organic material of four degradation stages (fresh litter, litter, fragmented litter and humus) was performed over a period of 2.5 years. Dynamics and stratification of fluorescent stained bacteria and fungi, ratios between bacterial and fungal biomass, and relationships with moisture and temperature are described. Average bacterial counts in litter and fragmented litter were similar, i.e., approximately 5×10⁹ bacteriag^–1 (dry weight) organic matter, and significantly exceeded those in humus. The mean bacterial biomass ranged from 0.338 to 0.252mg carbon (C) g^–1 (dry weight) organic matter. Lengths of mycelia were significantly below the usually recorded amounts for comparable temperate coniferous forests. The highest average hyphal length, 53mg^–1 (dry weight) organic matter, was recorded in litter and decreased significantly with depth. The corresponding mean fungal biomass ranged from 0.050 to 0.009mg Cg^–1 (dry weight). The abundance of bacteria and fungi was influenced by water content, that of fungi also by temperature. A litterbag series with freshly fallen litter of standard quality, renewed bimonthly, revealed a clear seasonal pattern with microbial biomass peaks in winter. The mean hyphal length was 104mg^–1 (dry weight) and mean number of bacteria, 2.40×10⁹ bacteria g^–1 (dry weight). Comparable bacterial and fungal biomass C were found in the freshly fallen litter [0.154 and 0.132mgCg^–1 (dry weight) organic material, respectively]. The ratio of bacterial-to-fungal biomass C increased from 1.2 in fresh litter to 28.0 in humus. The results indicate the existence of an environmental stress factor affecting the abundance of fungi in the second phase of decomposition. High atmospheric nitrogen deposition is discussed as a prime factor to explain low fungal biomass and the relatively short lengths of fungal hyphae in some of the forest soil layers under study. Received: 26 June 1997     

Soil organic carbon stocks of conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf forests of Spain

Forests represent an important resource for mitigating the greenhouse effect, but which is the contributions of the different forest types in sequestering and keeping soil C for a longer time is still uncertain, particularly in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this work is to quantify the soil organic C (SOC) stock in the 0–30 and 0–100?cm depths of mineral soil, according to the main forest types—conifers, broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf—and the different climatic zones of Spain, using a database comprising records of 1,974 pedons. Conifers and broadleaf forests show a trend in SOC stock distribution, with the stocks decreasing with increasing Mediterranean conditions. On average, in the 0–30?cm depth, the soils under broadleaf store the highest amount of SOC (5.9?±?0.1?kg?m^?2), followed by conifers (5.6?±?0.1?kg?m^?2) and evergreen broadleaf soils with an amount always lower (3.4?±?0.2?kg?m^?2). Climate and forest cover are the principal factors in determining the amount of SOC stored in Spanish forests. The significantly higher amount of SOC found in conifers and broadleaf forests than the evergreen broadleaf forests leads us to hypothesize a decrease in the SOC if climate change will increase drought periods with a consequent expansion of this latter forest type. Correlations between the SOC stocks under the different forest types, climate and soil features support the major role of climate and vegetation in controlling SOC sequestration in the Mediterranean area, while the effect of texture is less pronounced. Assigning a precise SOC stock to the different forest types, according to each climatic zone, would notably help to obtain an accurate SOC estimate at national level and for future assessments of the status of this large C reservoir.     

Soil characteristics in teak plantations and natural forests in Ashanti Region,Ghana

Abstract

The goal of this study to was compare soils of natural forests converted to teak (Tectona grandis Linn. F) plantations (21.3±5.1 years) in the Offinso and Juaso Forest Districts in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Sites selected for this study were in the moist semi‐deciduous forest zone and had nearly identical physiographic characteristics. In each of three natural forest stands and three teak plantations, 16 soil pits were examined and soil samples from the 0–20 (major rooting zone) and 20–40 cm depths were analyzed for selected chemical and physical properties. In the 0–20 cm depths bulk density significantly increased (1.17 to 1.30 g cm^‐3), but soil organic matter (OM) content (13 to 11%), total nitrogen (0.3 to 0.2 %), available phosphorus (4.2 to 1.2 mg kg^‐1), and exchangeable potassium (0.4 to 0.3 cmol(+)kg^‐1), calcium (17.0 to 12.4 cmol(+)kg^‐1), and magnesium (3.8 to 3.2 cmol(+)kg^‐1) significantly decreased in soils where natural forests were replaced with teak plantations. Similar results also were found for the 20–40 cm soil depths. The higher nutrient contents in soils under the natural forest may have been due to more litter contributions from understorey vegetation observed there. In the teak plantations nutrient leaching losses may have accelerated due to increased mineralization and the inability of teak to use the increase in available nutrient.     

Organische Stoffgruppen im Mullhumus nicht kultivierter Böden mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Stickstoff-Fraktionen

Fractions of organic components in mull humus of non cultivated soil profiles with special reference to various nitrogen fractions Different fractions of organic components were studied by horizons in four mull humus profiles, differing in genesis and ecology. Two of the soils were located in unmanaged grassland (Rendoll and Entisol) and two under deciduous hardwood (Eutrochept and Fluvaquent). In the grassland soils characteristic F-mull developed, but in the woodland soils L – and wet mull occurred respectively. Water soluble-, hemicellulose-, cellulose sugars and lignin derivates decreased with increasing soil depth. In contrast, amino sugars, proteins, lipids and unknown nitrogen containing fractions increased. Essential changes of those fractions happened in the organic-mineral horizons. Some clear differences among the profiles were recorded, depending on litter type, the genesis and soil water regime. At least 41% (Rendoll) to at most 50% (Fluvaquent) of the organic substance were extractable and identified. Amounts and distribution of the different organic fractions in the litter layers depend on the chemical composition of the litter. Hydrolysable unknown N, non hydrolysable and pseudo amide N increased from the litter to the mineral horizons in the Eutrochrept from 34 to 44 and in the Rendoll from 27 to 49% of total N, but in the Entisol these fractions are decreasing from 52 to 43% of total N. No change was observed in the Fluvaquent. In contrast, amino acid-, amino sugar – and true amide N decreased in most cases from the litter to the mineral horizons. Inorganic bound N, nearly exclusive fixed NH₄⁺-N, reached not more than 5% of total nitrogen.     

The relationships among microbial parameters and the rate of organic matter mineralization in forest soils,as influenced by forest type

Vegetation type influences the rate of accumulation and mineralization of organic matter in forest soil, mainly through its effect on soil microorganisms. We investigated the relationships among forest types and microbial biomass C (MBC), basal respiration (R_B), substrate-induced respiration (R_S), N mineralization (N_min), specific growth rate μ, microbial eco-physiology and activities of seven hydrolytic enzymes, in samples taken from 25 stands on acidic soils and one stand on limestone, covering typical types of coniferous and deciduous forests in Central Europe. Soils under deciduous trees were less acidic than soils of coniferous forests, which led to increased mineralizing activities R_B and N_min, and a higher proportion of active microbial biomass (R_S/MBC) in the Of horizon. This resulted in more extractable organic C (0.5 M K₂SO₄) in soils of deciduous forests and a higher accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM) in coniferous forest soil. No effect of forest type on the microbial properties was detected in the Oh horizon and in the 0–10 cm layer. The microbial quotient (MBC/C_org), reflecting the quality of organic matter used for microbial growth, was higher in deciduous forests in all three layers. The metabolic quotient qCO₂ (R_B/MBC) and the specific growth rate μ, estimated using respiration growth curves, did not differ in soils of both forest types. Our results showed that the quality of SOM in coniferous forests supported microorganisms with higher activities of β-glucosidase, cellobiosidase and β-xylosidase, which suggested the key importance of fungi in these soils. Processes mediated by bacteria were probably more important in deciduous forest soils with higher activities of arylsulphatase and urease. The results from the stand on limestone showed that pH had a positive effect on microbial biomass and SOM mineralization.     

两种森林凋落物分解及其土壤效应的研究

本文对田林老山杉木林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林凋落物的分解状况、微生物数量及凋落物分解的土壤效应进行了初步研究。结果表明:经287d 杉木林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林凋落物的失重率地表样分别为23.8%和24.9%,埋置样分别为35.8%和37.2%;C:N 缩小地表样分别为41.0和32.4,埋置样分别为22.4和20.0。凋落物腐解过程中微生物数量明显上升,但冬季显著下降。凋落物腐解刺激相应土层土壤微生物增长,有机质含量和腐殖质 C,N 含量亦有提高。     

Humus status of soils of overgrown quarries in Leningrad oblast

The humus status of young different-aged soils developed on tailings of different quarries of Quaternary and pre-Quaternary raw materials in Leningrad oblast was studied. Organic profiles were characterized; the humus accumulation rates, the organic matter reserves, the humus enrichment with nitrogen, the degree of humification of the organic matter, and the contents of separate fractions of humus acid in soils on different tailing rocks were estimated. The composition of humic acids was also studied. It was shown that the lithological features of the tailings determining the chemical processes of the profile differentiation of humic substances and the ecogenetic successions of vegetation also determine the rate and direction of the humus accumulation in the soils during similar periods of biological activity in the southern taiga.     

Characterisation of a humus profile under beech forest by using wet-chemistry and CPMAS 13C NMR-spectroscopy in consideration of spatial heterogeneity

Three of ten macromorphologically similar humus profiles of a Dystric Cambisol under a beech forest were randomly chosen and the litter and humus layers were characterized by wet-chemistry and CPMAS ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy. The spatial heterogeneity of the litter and humus layers was high for the bulk density and for the sugar and starch fraction; lowest coefficients of variation were obtained for the chemical shift range of O-Alkyl-C. The spatial heterogeneity of the layers did not differ by means of all chemical methods. Changes in the chemical composition at the beginning of humification were high from the fresh fallen litter (Ln-layer) to the morphologically only slightly altered litter in the L-layer, whereas the changes in the litter and humus layers from the L to the Ohf-layer were minor. However, the organic matter of the first mineral horizon was characterized by a decrease in lignin and cellulose. With wet-chemistry and ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy similar results were obtained for polysaccharides whereas results which can be attributed to changes in lignin deduced by the methoxyl content differed from each other.     

Does moder development along a pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) chronosequence result from changes in litter production or in decomposition rates?

The development of temperate deciduous and conifers forests stands usually results in accumulation of forest floor organic matter and a shift from mull to moder humus forms. It has been suggested that an increase in nutrient uptake by trees during their rapid growth phase leads to topsoil acidification, decrease in earthworm density and thereby a decrease in litter turnover. The focus of this paper was to examine if the mull-moder shift with forest ageing results from higher leaf litter production and/or lower litter decay rates. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) changes in macro-morphological properties of humus forms, leaf litter production, litter decay rates, soil nutrients content and pH along a 130-year pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) chronosequence in Normandy (Northwest France), (2) if humus form varied from mull to moder with increasing stand age, and (3) if a shift from mull to moder resulted from increased litter production, decreased litter decay rates, or both. Annual litter production did not change significantly along the chronosequence (mean 2.41 t ha⁻¹). In contrast, litter decay rates decreased significantly during the rapid growth phase of trees. In consequence, the litter turnover time (1/k) was lower in the youngest stands (20 months) compared to the oldest ones (31 months). Even in the absence of a significant pattern of variation, litter production was positively correlated with the thickness of the OF (Oi) horizon. In contrast, litter decay was strongly negatively correlated with maximum thickness of the OH (Oa) horizon, suggesting that the appearance of the humification layer was mainly due to a decrease in litter decay rate. We did not find significant changes in the main properties of the organo-mineral horizon, suggesting that soil nutrient availability may not directly affect litter dynamics. We concluded that moder development along the chronosequence resulted in decreasing litter decay rates during the aggradation phase while litter production was stable. Further studies are required to identify the ecological factors responsible for moder development along forest ageing.