Litter N-content influences soil millipede abundance,species richness and feeding preferences in a semi-evergreen dry forest of Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles)

Despite the impact of soil millipedes on litter fragmentation in tropical forests, there have been few studies dealing with factors determining their habitat preference in these ecosystems. In a natural secondary dry forest of Guadeloupe on Leptosol, two complementary studies were carried out in order to test the hypothesis that litter N-content strongly influences millipede distribution. Millipede abundance and species richness were described in the field under two tree species, Bursera simaruba and Pisonia subcordata, and were related to the chemical characteristics of their foliage. In addition, a laboratory experiment was done in order to assess millipede feeding preferences regarding the chemical characteristics of leaves from various species. Millipede abundance and species richness were significantly higher under P. subcordata than under B. simaruba, probably due to the higher N content of P. subcordata leaves. Moreover, millipedes fed preferentially on N-rich leaves. The present study confirms that there was a close correlation between the preferred food, its chemical composition and the local distribution of millipede populations.     

Soil fauna abundance and diversity in a secondary semi-evergreen forest in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles): influence of soil type and dominant tree species

The importance of secondary tropical forests regarding the maintenance of soil fauna abundance and diversity is poorly known. The aims of this study were (1) to describe soil fauna abundance and diversity and (2) to assess the determinants of soil fauna abundance and diversity in two stands of a tropical semi-evergreen secondary forest. Soil macrofauna and microarthropod abundance and soil macrofauna diversity were described at two sites developed on different soils and with different site histories: (1) a natural secondary stand (natural forest) under two dominant tree species, Pisonia subcordata and Bursera simaruba, and (2) a planted secondary forest (planted forest) under three tree species, B. simaruba, Swietenia macrophylla, and Tabebuia heterophylla. The effects of both soil and main tree species’ litter quality were assessed to explain soil fauna abundance and diversity. The abundance of soil macrofauna was significantly higher in the soil under the planted forest, and soil fauna communities were contrasted between the two sites. In the planted forest, a soil-dwelling macrofauna community developed (mainly consisting of the anecic earthworm Polypheretima elongata). In the natural forest, soil macrofauna and microarthropod communities were located at the soil surface. The effect of plant litter quality varied according to each dominant tree species and was superimposed to soil effect. The lowest macrofauna abundance was associated with B. simaruba in the natural forest. T. heterophylla supported a much greater macrofauna community than the two other tree species studied at the same soil, and it appears likely that this is due to the palatability of its leaves compared with the other trees (low lignin, tannins, soluble phenols).     

Tree influence on soil biological activity: What can be inferred from the optical examination of humus profiles?

Humus forms may vary in different forest stands, but the local influence of trees upon soil microbial and faunal activities is still imperfectly known. Optical methods could help to discern processes of litter transformation and formation of organo-mineral assemblages, allowing a better diagnostic of tree influences upon humus-soil development. The microstratification of humus was studied under a beech (Fagus crenata), a mixed oak forest (Quercus crispula and Quercus serrata), and a cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) plantation. The three sites are located in Kyoto (Japan), and share similar environmental conditions. Litter decomposition rates and soil fauna were also investigated. At the beech site, which had the thickest O horizon, the main process was the gradual fragmentation of litter. This process, together with shallow root and weak fungal development, gave rise to a stable sandwich-like structure in the O horizon. In contrast, the oak site showed a two-step transformation of litter. Initially, litter decomposition was triggered by the activity of white rot fungi, and the discarded litter decayed much more slowly thereafter. The cedar site exhibited a sharp vertical delineation between upper thick Oe horizon developed since plantation time and a relict A horizon. The optical method thus demonstrated differences in soil biological activities and litter transformation patterns under the three sites.     

Changes in humus properties and collembolan communities following the replanting of beech forests with spruce

Differences of collembolan communities within the organo-mineral A layer were studied in relation to physico-chemical changes in humus at nine sites of beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) and first generation spruce stands (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), planted on former beech forest 30 years ago (Central Pyrenees, France). Changes in humus form were caused by the spruce plantation and occurred mainly within the fermentation horizon where acidifying litter accumulation increased the horizon depth. The recent replacement of beech by spruce induced a shift from mull towards moder humus forms, which is explained by the decreasing organic matter turnover rate. A significant decrease in the three exchangeable cations and pH under spruce was also observed. Collembolan species diversity within the A horizon was significantly lower under spruce at this early stage of the silvogenetic cycle. Differences between species composition of Collembola between the two forest stands is related to changes in environmental conditions (e.g. nutrient availability, soil porosity, soil moisture). This study shows how forest management practices are susceptible to modify biological activity within the A horizon under exotic conifer plantations.     

Seasonal distribution of Xenylla brevispina (Collembola) in the canopy and soil habitat of a Cryptomeria japonica plantation

We investigated the life cycle and habitat use of an arboreal collembolan species, Xenylla brevispina, in the canopy and soil of a conifer (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation. The adaptive significance of migration between arboreal and soil habitats in the maintenance of its population in relation to the vertical structure of the forest is discussed. We sampled dead branches with foliage in the canopy (canopy litter) and on the forest-floor (soil litter). X. brevispina had one generation a year throughout the 3 years of the study. The mean densities of X. brevispina were similar in the canopy litter (0.06 to 14.57 g⁻¹ dry weight) and the soil litter (0.44 to 18.99 g⁻¹ dry weight). Seasonal patterns of density and relative abundance indicate that individuals of X. brevispina in the canopy were closely associated with those in the soil. These results suggest that vertical migration between the canopy and the soil might be a strategy allowing X. brevispina to be a predominant collembolan species in this forest.     

Morphological characterisation of humus forms in recent coastal dune ecosystems in Belgium and northern France

The morphology of humus profiles, developed on recent sandy coastal dune ecosystems, is studied on macro- and microscale. Humus and soil profiles were described, sampled and analysed. Undisturbed, oriented samples were taken from the surface horizons for micromorphological study. The soils are situated in the National Biological Reserve of the Opal Coast, Merlimont, France and near De Haan, Belgium. On both sites, the parent material consists of aeolian calcareous sand. Surface horizons, however, are decarbonated due to leaching processes.In Merlimont, the sequence consists of two profiles, one under Pinus nigra ssp. laricio and one under Populus nigra ssp. nigra, characterised by a Resimor¹/Dysmoder^{, 2} and Rhizomull^{, 1}/Mesomull ^{, 2} humus type, respectively. At the De Haan site, three profiles under Quercus robur, Populus ssp. and P. nigra var. austriaca are investigated. The humus types are respectively Mullmoder^{, 1} to Mull/Dysmull ^{, 2}, Mull ^{, 1}/ Oligomull ^{, 2}, Mormoder ^{, 1}/Dysmoder ^{, 2}.Differences among the humus profiles are related to presence/absence among the L-, F-, H- and A-horizons, structure, rooting, presence of hyphae, sclerotia and excrements.Macromorphologically, the difference between humus profiles under coniferous and deciduous forest/grassland is evident by thicker L-, F and/or H-horizons under coniferous trees. The microstructure of the L- and F-horizons shows a loose packing of subhorizontally oriented needles. The microstructure of the H-horizons varies from intergrain microaggregate to locally weak crumb. The microstructure of the surface mineral horizon of all profiles is mainly intergrain microaggregate, sometimes single grain and exceptionally bridged grain. Intimate mixing and complexation of organic matter to the mineral fraction into aggregates is very limited in the A-horizons. All A-horizons, irrespective of the humus type, are to some degree characterised by a “pepper and salt” appearance. The horizon symbol “H+E” is introduced to label this morphology.The Mull humus forms under deciduous trees are indicative of rather intense mesofauna activities. The absence of a crumb structure in the A-horizon of these soils could be due to the fast disintegration of earthworm casts in these sandy soils with no clay or silt fraction.     

大伙房水库流域不同植被类型枯落物层和土壤层水文效应

为了研究大伙房水库流域森林生态系统枯落物层和土壤层水文效应,以流域内3种不同植被类型为研究对象,采用浸泡法、环刀法对其枯落物层和土壤层水文功能进行定量研究。结果表明:(1)3种植被类型枯落物蓄积量为23.20～39.11t/hm~2,表现为刺槐天然次生林油松人工林落叶松人工林,且阔叶林枯落物半分解层蓄积量大于未分解层,而针叶林则相反。(2)枯落物层最大持水量为50.24～109.19t/hm~2,有效拦蓄量为41.70～90.71t/hm~2,均表现为刺槐天然次生林油松人工林落叶松人工林,刺槐天然次生林枯落物层持水功能较好。(3)枯落物未分解层、半分解层分别在浸水10,8h基本达到饱和,持水量与浸水时间呈明显对数关系(R20.91);枯落物在浸水1h内吸水速率变化最大,4h左右吸水速率明显减缓,吸水速率与浸泡时间呈明显幂函数关系(R20.93)。(4)3种植被类型土壤容重均值变化范围为1.10～1.25g/cm~3,总孔隙度变化范围为27.96%～30.19%,土壤有效持水量变化范围为21.11～29.39t/hm~2,不同植被类型土壤层持水能力表现为刺槐天然次生林油松人工林落叶松人工林,土壤入渗速率与入渗时间呈明显幂函数关系(R20.90)。综合3种植被类型枯落物层及土壤层水文功能表明刺槐天然次生林的水源涵养功能较强,建议在该流域加强天然次生林的保护和恢复。     

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.     

Effects of root and litter exclusion on soil CO2 efflux and microbial biomass in wet tropical forests

We examined the effects of root and litter exclusion on the rate of soil CO₂ efflux and microbial biomass at a soil depth of 25 cm in a secondary forest (dominated by Tabebuia heterophylla) and a pine (Pinus caribaea) plantation in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico. The experimental plots were initially established in 1990, when root, forest floor mass and new litterfall were excluded for 7 y since then. Soil respiration was significantly reduced in the litter and root exclusion plots in both the secondary forest and the pine plantation compared with the control. Root exclusion had a greater effect on soil CO₂ efflux than the litter exclusion in the plantation, whereas a reversed pattern was observed in the secondary forest. The reduction of microbial biomass in the root exclusion plot was greater in the secondary forest (59%) than in the plantation (31%), while there was no difference of the reduction in the litter exclusion plots between these forests. Our results suggest that above-ground input and roots (root litter and exudates) differentially affect soil CO₂ efflux under different vegetation types.     

红松人工林腐殖质组成及其结合形态研究

 运用野外调查与实验分析相结合的方法,对不同生长发育阶段红松人工林（林龄25、45、58、68 a）和红松混交林（林龄60a）根际与非根际土壤有机质含碳量、腐殖质组成与结合形态进行了研究。结果表明:不同年龄阶段红松人工纯林、红松混交林土壤有机质含碳量、腐殖质各组分含碳量随土层深度的加深而降低,并且根际土壤高于非根际土壤。就土壤腐殖质组成而言,除林龄58a红松人工林根际土壤和45a红松人工林非根际土壤外,其他林型土壤胡敏酸含碳量均高于富里酸含碳量;胡敏酸与富里酸比值（HA/FA）在1.00～2.45之间;土壤重组腐殖质、松结态腐殖质、稳结态腐殖质含碳量大小顺序为林龄58>68>25>45a;红松混交林除紧结态腐殖质外,其他腐殖质各组分含碳量均高于红松人工林。     

太行山区主要森林生态系统水源涵养能力

森林生态系统水源涵养功能是林冠层、枯落物层和土壤层对大气降水进行再分配的过程。本文通过文献收集整理太行山地区森林植被林冠一次降水截留量、枯落物层持水量和土壤层贮水量数据,分析该地区主要森林植被对降水的截留和贮蓄能力,采用综合蓄水能力法对森林植被的综合涵养水源能力进行评价,旨在为合理经营和管理森林生态系统提供依据。结果表明:1)土壤非毛管孔隙度与生态系统综合持水量呈正相关,且最大持水量占整个森林生态系统综合持水量的90%以上,表明土壤层作为森林生态系统水文效应最重要的一层,是整个森林系统水分循环的主要贮蓄库和调节器;2)针叶林中油松和侧柏的冠层一次降水截留量显著高于其他林型,其林冠结构更加适应该地区气象条件,林冠层降水再分配能力也优于其他林型;3)混交林郁闭度低,有利于林下灌、草丛的生长,其枯落物现存量比纯林和人工林更高,虽然林冠一次截留量低但林下具有丰富的枯落物层而更易涵养水源;4)天然林综合蓄水能力整体高于人工林,侧柏人工林和油松人工林综合蓄水能力仅次于刺槐、侧柏和油松天然林。综上可见,合理利用森林资源防止水土流失、天然林长期封育和合理控制优势树种密度及增加植被覆盖率对太行山地区植被恢复和生态建设具有重要意义。为提高该区综合水源涵养能力,可增加乡土树种油松和侧柏人工林的种植面积。     

冀北山地天然次生林与人工林地上植被层的水文调控功能

[目的]比较冀北山地天然次生杨桦林(13,18和28a)和人工落叶松林(9,13,15和30a)地上植被层(林冠层、凋落物)的水文调控功能,为评估两种森林类型的转化对该地区水文过程的影响提供科学依据。[方法]采用标准样地和测定分析法对林分的生物量、凋落物及其持水量的进行测算。[结果](1)不同林龄的人工落叶松林地上植被层的降水截留量均大于天然次生杨桦林,且差异显著。(2)两种林分类型不同地上植被层的截留量均表现为:凋落物林冠层灌木层。(3)幼、中龄人工落叶松林的林冠截流量明显大于同龄的天然次生杨桦林,而近熟林,由抚育间伐导致的林分密度下降使得人工落叶松林低于天然次生杨桦林。(4)在各个林龄上,人工落叶松林的凋落物持水量均显著大于天然次生杨桦林,其中13a落叶松为35.36±6.50t/hm2,13a杨桦林为15.79±4.85t/hm2。[结论]冀北山地大面积的人工落叶松林地上植被层具有良好的水文调控功能,其水文调控功能不低于甚至高于当地的天然次生杨桦林,对人工林的抚育间伐在一定程度上会使地上植被层的水文调控功能出现一定程度的下降。     

黔中不同龄组柳杉人工林枯落物水源涵养能力综合评价

为了解不同林龄柳杉人工林枯落物的水源涵养能力,为森林水土保持措施的确定和实施提供依据,于2018年10月选取平坝区大坡林场5个龄组柳杉人工林作为研究对象,采用烘干法和实验室浸水法对枯落物的持水性能进行研究,并采用熵权法对柳杉人工林5个龄组枯落物水源涵养能力进行综合评价。结果表明:(1)随着柳杉人工林的生长发育,枯落物储量及持水特性呈现先增加后减小的趋势,表现出成熟林最大,幼龄林最小。其中成熟林枯落物厚度为7.40cm,蓄积量为2.21t/hm^2,最大持水量为6.46t/hm^2,最大持水率为265.14t/hm^2,有效拦蓄量为3.94t/hm^2,有效拦蓄率为175.74%。(2)利用熵权法计算出柳杉人工林5个龄组枯落物的水源涵养能力为成熟林(11.46)>近熟林(10.79)>过熟林(8.26)>中龄林(4.83)>幼龄林(3.94),柳杉成熟林具有最佳的水源涵养能力。     

晋西黄土残源沟壑区不同林分暴雨产流产沙作用分析

 通过对晋西黄土残塬沟壑区不同林分的径流场近6年的定位观测,分析林分对产流产沙的影响。结果表明:由山杨、油松、虎棒子、绣线菊、黄刺梅形成的次生林及虎榛子灌木林林分暴雨时产流产沙远较其他林分少;林草型林草带状间作、草林型林草带状间作和果园有较好的水土保持功能;低质量整地的果农复合经营模式暴雨时产流产沙较其他类型多,但在细致整地后其产流产沙明显减少;刺槐纯林林分郁闷度大、林下草本和枯落物量大,则暴雨时产流产沙少。     

Responses of co-occurring populations of Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) to soil pH, moisture and resource addition

Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) are the two most dominating soil invertebrates in terms of biomass in boreal coniferous forest soils. A microcosm experiment was set up in order to study the influence of pH, moisture and resource addition on D. octaedra and C. sphagnetorum when both species are simultaneously present. Two kinds of coniferous forest humus were used as substrate, pine stand humus (pH 4.2), and spruce stand humus (pH 4.6); in the third treatment the pine stand humus was adjusted with slaked lime (CaOH₂) to the same initial pH as the spruce stand humus. Each substrate was adjusted to water contents of 25%, 42.5% and 60% of WHC (referred to as ‘dry’, ‘moist’ and ‘wet’). In the second part of the experiment, spruce needle litter and birch leaf litter were separately added into the pine stand humus (‘moist’, unlimed) and compared with a control without litter. The microcosms were plastic jars with 75 g (d.m.) of humus, into which 4 specimens of D. octaedra and 70 specimens of C. sphagnetorum were added. D. octaedra showed the highest biomass and C. sphagnetorum the lowest biomass in the spruce stand humus with higher pH. Moisture did not affect earthworms, while C. sphagnetorum thrived best at the highest moisture. Addition of both kinds of litter increased the numbers and biomass of D. octaedra, while on C. sphagnetorum resource addition had little effect. The results help to explain the abundance of these two species in coniferous forests differing in soil acidity, moisture and fertility.     

桂西北光皮桦人工林水源涵养功能

为了研究广西西北部不同林龄光皮桦人工林的水源涵养功能,选择具有代表性的11,16年生光皮桦人工林、16年生杉木林,从林冠层、枯枝落叶层和土壤层3个层次及综合性的水源涵养能力进行了定量分析。结果表明:(1)11,16年生光皮桦人工林林冠层、灌木层、草本层持水量范围分别为12.54～21.06,2.15～3.05,1.27～1.52 t/hm~2,凋落物总储量为4.54～7.42 t/hm~2,最大持水量为12.55～16.00 t/hm~2,16年生均显著大于11年生(P0.05),凋落物吸水速率与浸水时间存在良好的线性关系(R~20.86,P0.05)。(2)土壤的孔隙状况表现为16年生光皮桦林11年生光皮桦林,均大于对照的16年生杉木林,0—20 cm显著大于20—40,40—80 cm土层。(3)11年生光皮桦土壤最大持水量、毛管持水量、非毛管持水量的变化范围分别为28.97%～60.55%,25.35%～47.21%,3.71%～13.34%,16年生的为29.06%～63.45%,25.63%～48.70%,3.34%～14.75%,均随着土层的加深而减少;11,16年生光皮桦林0—80 cm土壤层自然含水量范围分别为27.46～30.16,28.12～30.22 g/cm~3;总蓄水量分别为3 813.4,3 732.2 t/hm~2,均大于16年生杉木林(3 659.2 t/hm~2)。总体上,林龄较大的光皮桦人工林表现出较强的水源涵养功能,且优于同林龄的杉木人工林。研究结果可为该地区光皮桦人工林的经营管理提供科学依据。     

黄土丘陵区2种典型林分降雨分配特征及其主要影响因素

森林对降雨的分配是森林生态水文和生物地球化学循环中的重要过程之一。通过对黄土丘陵区2种典型林分(刺槐林和辽东栎林)生长季降雨分配过程的实地监测,探究2种林分的降雨分配特征及其主要影响因素。结果表明:试验期间,刺槐林和辽东栎林降雨分配各组[JP]分均表现为穿透雨量(325.0,295.1 mm)＞冠层截留量(39.8,73.6 mm)＞树干径流量(25.8,21.9 mm),同时穿透雨率(83.2%和75.6%)＞冠层截留率(10.2%和18.8%)＞树干径流率(6.6%和5.6%)。次降雨量是影响降雨分配的关键因子,穿透雨量和树干径流量与次降雨量间呈现极显著线性关系,冠层截留量与次降雨量间呈现极显著对数函数关系;穿透雨率和树干径流率与次降雨量间呈现显著对数函数关系,冠层截留率与次降雨量间呈现极显著指数函数关系。刺槐林和辽东栎林产生穿透雨的次降雨阈值分别为1.0,1.3 mm,产生树干径流的次降雨阈值分别为5.9,5.4 mm。刺槐林产生的穿透雨量和[JP]树干径流量均大于辽东栎林,而冠层截留量小于辽东栎林。研究结果为黄土丘陵区森林生态水文过程的研究提供基础数据,对该地区植被恢复过程中植被类型的选择具有指导意义。     

镜泊湖区主要森林类型的土壤水文特性

 通过实地调查与试验分析方法,研究镜泊湖区原始红松林、杨桦林、蒙古栎林和人工红松林地的土壤水文特性。结果表明:1)枯落物总储量变化范围在22.32～34.15t.hm-2之间,依次为原始红松林>人工红松林>蒙古栎林>杨桦林;全部枯落物最大持水率、最大持水量与有效拦蓄量均为原始红松林>人工红松林>杨桦林>蒙古栎林。2)原始红松林枯落物吸水速度最快,杨桦林和蒙古栎林次之,人工红松林最慢。3)在同一土层,土壤密度从小到大,土壤总孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度、饱和持水量和田间持水量由大到小的顺序基本为杨桦林、原始红松林、蒙古栎林和人工红松林。4)相同土层的初渗速度、稳渗速度和渗透系数依次为杨桦林>原始红松林>蒙古栎林>人工红松林;到达稳渗的时间是杨桦林最短,其次为原始红松林,再次为蒙古栎林,人工红松林最长。5)综合枯落物持水能力、吸水速度、土壤持水能力和渗透性能评价镜泊湖区4种森林类型的水文特性,原始红松林和杨桦林最佳,其次为蒙古栎林,人工红松林最差。     

Humus structure during a spruce forest rotation: quantitative changes and relationship to soil biota

Temporal dynamics of edaphic communities affect numerous processes in forests and also strongly influence the soil's organic matter status. We have linked long-term changes in the formation of organic matter (using humus micromorphological analyses) to changes in the soil's community structure during a spruce forest cycle on acid soil. The study was carried out at four sites of different age-classes in the Tharandter forest, Germany. The composition of the deeper humus layers (OH, A) was stable. Herbaceous litter, recent spruce litter, fragmented spruce litter, decomposed litter and faeces and fungi, which contributed to the organic layer (OL and OH horizon), significantly changed during the forestry cycle, especially with the shift from the early stage to intermediate stages. Parallel changes of the faunal assemblage of the soil showed quantitative relations between major stages of the forest development, humus dynamics and soil community composition. The herbaceous litter was correlated with surface-dwelling Collembola and microbial properties with faeces and fungi. Our results suggest that the long-term stability of deep organic layers provides a refuge for decomposers and detritivores that allows a rapid response to both adverse and favourable conditions, taking place in OL and OF layers. Furthermore, the opening of the canopy in mature stands allows the decomposers to adapt to changes in resource input long before the collapse of the forest.     

Seasonal changes in the transformation and transportation of uracyl,glycine, and glucose in soils of podzolic type

The behavior of water-soluble organic compounds arriving in forest litter significantly varies between the warm and cold seasons. Their rapid mineralization occurs in the summer: the removal of introduced compounds from the forest litter and their inclusion into humus substances are almost absent. At the input of water-soluble organic compounds to forest litter during the cold period, the mineralization processes decrease; they recommence only in the next warm period. However, the initial compounds have undergone some transformations by this time, which significantly increases their microbiological stability and decreases their migration capacity. The labeled compounds introduced in the fall are fixed within the forest litter and predominantly enter into the microbial and fungal biomass. Transformed labeled compounds enter into the humus-accumulative A1 horizon due to migration followed by their inclusion into the mineral-humus component of this horizon. Assessing the role of migration in the development of the humus-accumulative horizon in podzolic soils shows the secondary role of migration processes. The major role is played by the formation of the humus-accumulative horizon in accordance with the classical concepts of the soddy process.